Regional OMBUDS Officer for the NAME (Middle East and North Africa) Region

We are looking for:

A qualified Regional Ombuds Officer passionate about people and proficient in Arabic and English!

Position based: in one of our Delegations of the NAME Region, (exact location still to be confirmed).

Reports to: Chief Ombuds Officer (Geneva, Switzerland)

Length of mission: 3 years, full time with up to 50% travel possible mostly to all countries in the NAME region and occasionally beyond.

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law.  We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Role Description

The ICRC NAME’s Region is seeking you as a well-qualified and exceptional professional for the role of Regional Ombuds Officer, to deliver beneficial communications enhancement and conflict management services to employees and the organization throughout the globe but particularly focusing on the NAME Region.

You will contribute to the effective performance of the Ombuds Office and aid in lifting ICRC to better communications and a continuously improving work place as well as organizational culture.

As Regional Ombuds Officer, you are a designated independent, neutral, informal and confidential practitioner.

Main responsibilities

As an Ombuds Officer, you will mainly guide and support all staff of the ICRC and will:

• Address workplace issues promptly, fairly and at the appropriate level;

• Advance communication and conflict management abilities;

• Uphold an ethical, compliant, transparent and communicative organizational culture;

• Preserve relationships and reputations;

• Promote an engaging, productive and positive workplace.

More specifically, you will undertake these responsibilities:

1) Conflict Management Consultation and Referral:

• Offer exceptional organizational Ombuds services in accordance with the International Ombudsman Association's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, ICRC Ombuds Office Charter and Policies;
• Protect with utmost care the confidential nature of all communications and identifying information.
• Engender trust and establish rapport with all levels and functions.
• Serve as a resource, advisor, and thought partner to employees of all levels and functions.
• Support identification of issues causing challenges and advise on potential improvements.
• Stay current with and utilize best practices in Ombuds Network operations and service delivery.

2) Organizational Connection:

• Contribute to the integration efforts for this global conflict management system especially in the NAME region; including PR and educational activities to raise awareness and understanding, increasing employee comfort and trust of the Ombuds Network as a place to help address issues and concerns of all types.
• Animate, mentor, and guide Ombuds Relays in the NAME region fostering collegiality, professionalism, diligence and a can-do attitude.
• Forge highly effective and communicative relationships with essential leaders throughout the region and organization, with special emphasis on the Regional Operations Director for NAME, their Deputies, Heads of Delegations, HR Managers and others in the NAME region.
• Support identification and analyses of gaps between the stated ICRC goals and actual practices.
• Contribute to the Ombuds Network’s capacity to deliver value-added results.

IMPORTANT: You must fulfill other duties as may be assigned, however, these will never compromise the independence, neutrality, informality or confidentiality of the position, in appearance or fact.

Desired profile and skills

• Ability to maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive data, including personal and non-public information.
• Strong listening/coaching skills including assessing authenticity and articulating appropriate feedback.
• Excellent use of context analysis and judgment in decision-making, problem solving, and conflict management.
• Strong facilitation/presentation and networking/collaboration skills to build and maintain beneficial relations especially with related functions.
• Self-directed and able to determine appropriate course of action with limited supervision, including excellent time management, project planning and outward communications.
• Intercultural mindset, with demonstrated success addressing issues from diverse populations.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, for all audiences.
• Competent in Microsoft software, including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, etc.
• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work and specifically ICRC.
• Able to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment

Certifications / Education / Languages required

• University degree.
• English and Arabic proficiency required, professional French advantageous.
• Computer proficiency.

Professional Experience required

• 10+ years of related professional experience, including 5 years relevant work experience in negotiation, people management, creative problem solving.
• Experience in large multicultural organizations and matrix management environments
• A good functional knowledge of ICRC and/or a significant experience in humanitarian sector is a strong advantage.

Our operational & field constraints

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals;
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field;
• Candidates must possess a driving license (for manual transmission vehicles);
• Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least the first 6 months

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment;
• A multi-week on-boarding course and other opportunities for further in-house trainings;
• Attractive social benefits (such as pension plan, health insurance etc.)
• Length of assignment: 3 years –full time with up to 50% travel possible mostly to all countries in the NAME region and occasionally beyond.