Humanitarian Affairs Adviser Jobs

ICRC DELEGATION TO THE UN (NEW YORK)

Humanitarian Affairs Adviser

US CITIZENS OR RESIDENTS (GREEN CARD HOLDERS) ONLY

The ICRC Delegation to the United Nations (UN) in New York City, through its status of Permanent Observer to the United Nations, plays a key role in humanitarian diplomacy.

ICRC NYC team members must be highly motivated, skilled relationship-builders, curious and flexible, and quickly able to adapt to the fast-paced and ever-changing dynamics at UN Headquarters (UNHQ) and with Permanent Missions. Very good political instincts, the ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities, experience managing competing interests, and the ability to think creatively and analyze an issue from multiple perspectives are indispensable.

PURPOSE

The Humanitarian Affairs Adviser provides support to the ICRC in understanding and influencing the wider humanitarian environment in each context. S/He represents the ICRC in multilateral and bilateral engagements relevant to her/his responsibilities. S/He participates in meetings, monitors and analyses political dynamics, UN discussions and humanitarian trends, conveys key ICRC messages to external interlocutors to influence debates, negotiations, and reports internally on UN activities and relevant issues. S/He builds and maintains a strong diverse diplomatic network at UNHQ and beyond as a critical component to all humanitarian diplomacy objectives.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Advise all levels of the ICRC on processes, fora and stakeholders related to humanitarian diplomacy.

Among other tasks and responsibilities, the position will include:

· Monitoring/analysing/reporting/influencing deliberations and decisions of the Security Council; maintaining relations with Permanent Missions in New York and concerned regions at ICRC HQ in Geneva (GVA)

· Maintaining dialogue with operational ICRC regions, inform and mobilize respective NYC and GVA-based team on issues of interest; follow-up and report on UN/NYC-based debates

· Functioning as strategic anchor between relevant capitals, GVA and NYC for key policy and operational objectives

· Focal point for the strategic engagement on thematic issues of priority to the ICRC

· Monitoring/analysing/reporting/influencing relevant UN General Assembly resolutions and debate

· Taking an active part in the planning of ICRC field and HQ engagements at the United Nations or with Member States (MS) (UNGA High Level Week and ICRC leadership / operations visits to New York)

· Maintaining regular dialogue with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and National Red Cross / Red Crescent Societies (RC/RC) of relevance at working level on issues of common interest

· Advising management on new UNSC dynamics and opportunities

· Contribute to designing and delivering effective diplomatic strategies, tactics, plans, and products based on the ICRC's global (and regional) humanitarian diplomacy priorities

· Building and sharing experience on the dynamics of both global and regional politics and positioning at state, regional and UN levels, particularly how these trends affect and inform geopolitics at UNHQ

· Working with ICRC New York and GVA policy teams to cultivate and maintain an effective network of contacts within diplomatic circles, international organizations, governments, regional organizations, NGOs, and UN agencies

EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrated experience in communicating with influence, particularly across cultures and within organizations
• An advanced degree in political science, law, international relations or related is an advantage
• Experience in negotiation between States and among UN entities, proven ability to negotiate
• Very good knowledge of the ICRC & institutional issues (operations, IHL, humanitarian principles, Movement)
• Sound knowledge of international relations and the humanitarian and diplomatic environment
• Previous experience in humanitarian diplomacy capitals would be useful (Geneva, New York, Brussels, Addis Ababa, …)
• Demonstrated capacity and experience in developing and maintaining networks across a range of diplomatic or humanitarian actors
• 5 years of experience in humanitarian affairs
• Experience in contexts high on the UN agenda, in particular those at the Security Council, is an advantage
• Field experience in complex operations with an important presence of multilateral political, humanitarian & military actors of the UN including agencies & secretariat (OCHA, DPKO, SRSG, DPA), as well as the RC/RC Movement & NGOs will be viewed very positively. ICRC field experience will be particularly valued

SKILLS:

• Understanding of the nature of both contemporary and future conflict, and the potential implications for humanitarian actions
• Excellent capacity to conceptualize and a proven record in planning and rapid and qualitative reporting
• Excellent analytical skills and capacity to translate UN debates for the ICRC
• Sensitivity to humanitarian, political, economic & legal analyses (HR, IHL)
• Excellent people skills and a collaborator
• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work and scrupulous respect of the humanitarian principles.
• Capacity to adhere to the ICRC core principles, in particular those of neutrality and impartiality
• Understanding of underlying issues in negotiations between States, capacity & will to influence resolutions/PRSTs of the Security Council, General Assembly and ECOSOC
• Excellent level of spoken and written English
• Ability to communicate concisely and fluently, both orally and in writing, and including production of reporting / analysis
• Abilities in one or more of the other official UN languages a big plus (French, Arabic, Spanish, Russian or Chinese)
• Proven ability to balance competing demands, assess political risk, and manage time in a fast-paced work environment. Flexibility and responsiveness are key
• Highly adept in networking and relationship management. Ability to engage diverse diplomatic interlocutors at various levels)

Salary Range

102’960 – 137’280 based on experience.

Applications should be submitted to Dolorosa ArrummBrungs at [email protected] no later than 7 July 2023.

We thank all applicants for their interest in the ICRC. Due to the number of applications we receive, only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.