Negotiation Support Specialist

resident

Organization: ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross
Location: resident
Grade: Mid level - Mid level
Occupational Groups:
- Communication and Public Information
- Information Management
- Peace and Development
- Information Technologiesﾠ
Closing Date: Closed

Purpose

The CCHN is recruiting a Negotiation Support Specialist for its activities in Africa with a specific emphasis on operations in the Great Lakes Region, Nigeria, Somalia and South Sudan, to join the CCHN team to further develop the policy, training and networking capabilities of the CCHN in this region. S/he will design, coordinate, implement and facilitate CCHN context-specific activities to further strengthen the CCHN ability to develop policy tools pertaining to humanitarian negotiation and mediation of the African continent. S/he will reach out to and mobilize the larger community in Africa on the practice of such tools. To do so, s/he will maintain a connection between CCHN events, linking information and participants with the wider deliberations on frontline humanitarian negotiation in the said region, and bridging negotiation knowledge with humanitarian agencies and NGOs to ensure an effective support to practitioners/negotiators and a sound respond to operational challenges.

Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities

Provides support to the conduct of interviews of humanitarian negotiations' practitioners as well as listening tours.
Gathers and analyzes information on trends, opportunities and challenges related to humanitarian negotiation practicies across the agencies and the larger humanitarian community in Africa.
Leads and facilitates context-specific and regional working groups of humanitarian professionals engaged in frontline humanitarian negotiation.
Designes and coordinates the organization of CCHN workshops in the region (Advanced Regional Workshops, Induction Workshops, Training-of-Facilitators (ToF), etc.).
Delivers curriculum sessions and facilitates the various CCHN training activities in the region.
Engages with the Strategic Partners of the CCHN in the region, in the development of the CCHN activities in support of their respective staff.
Organizes and facilitates thematic roundatble discussions, conferences and expert meeting on the challenges and dilemmas of humanitarian negotiations in the region.
Contributes to the development of policy tools and methods on the planning and evaluation of humanitarian negotiation and mediation in the region; and,
Contributes to the mobilization of humanitarian negotiators in the design of the Annual Meeting of Frontline Humanitarian Negotiators.

Scope & Impact

Strategic impact: s/he plays a critical role in developing the policy, training and networking capabilities of the CCHN and its community in the region.
Geographical remit: Africa

Relationships

With the frontline negotiation community at large, be it with international, national and/or local organisations.

Certifications / Education required

Master´s degree in international relations, political science, law or equivalent.
Fluent in English and French (Arabic an asset).
Computer proficiency.

Professional Experience required

Proven experience in empirical analysis as well as a systematic gathering of data.
Solid experience in field assessments particularly in conflicts environments in Africa.
Good understanding of humanitarian negotiation processes, the humanitarian system, the trends affecting humanitarian affairs, the operational challenges in operating in African contexts, as well as the humanitarian system at large.
More than 5 years of professional experience working in government, academia, international organizations or international NGOs.

Desired profile and skills

Proven ability to think critically, succinctly and creatively.
Capacity to work independently under pressure with tight deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including good public presentation skills.
Strong coordination and organization skills.
Strong writing, editing and analytical skills, ability to translate complex questions into policy options leading to practical recommandations.
Flexibility and adaptability
Availabilty for regular field missions (at least one week per month);