IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (The Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.
IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.
The IFRC Delegation to the United Nations represents the interests of IFRC to the UN Secretariat and UN member states. As a Permanent Observer at the UN, the mission of the IFRC Delegation is to persuade relevant decision makers and opinion leaders to act in the interests of vulnerable people throughout the world, and consistent with humanitarian principles.
IFRC’s Permanent Observer status at the UN in New York presents multiple, unparalleled opportunities to represent priority issues and perspectives among the international diplomatic, humanitarian and media community attached to the United Nations. The Delegation to the United Nations is a critical point from which to conduct IFRC’s humanitarian diplomacy activities with UN member states and the UN System.
This position is located at the IFRC Delegation to the United Nations (UN), in New York City, NY, U.S.A., which reports to the Office of the Secretary General in Geneva, Switzerland. This position reports to the Head of Delegation.
Job Purpose
The Deputy Head of Delegation (DHD) advises and supports the Head of Delegation (HoD) in the management of the Delegation and in leading humanitarian diplomacy efforts in New York. As the principal adviser to the HoD, the DHD has broad oversight of the day-to-day execution and coordination of the priorities of the Delegation. In the absence of the HoD, the DHD serves as the Acting Head of Mission and represents IFRC in all matters pertaining to humanitarian diplomacy, resource mobilization and capacity building.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
1. Advises and supports the HoD to advance strategic, policy and operational goals
Represents the IFRC’s positions on relevant priority issues considered by Member States and the UN bodies.
Seeks recognition of the IFRC’s mandate and work in the Secretary General’s Reports and the subsequent resolutions of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Security Council, and other relevant bodies.
Enhances the coordination of humanitarian operations by liaising with the relevant UN agencies and other partners, including through regular and active participation in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee.
Advances IFRC’s profile (visibility) and positioning (promoting IFRC interests and providing substantive inputs on humanitarian issues) at the UN, with a special focus on coordination of humanitarian assistance and operations, humanitarian financing, sustainable development, and food security.
Engages actively in the drafting of the UN Secretary General’s Reports and prepares the Federation’s inputs in consultation with the Headquarters in Geneva and the field offices.
Participates in the negotiation of UN resolutions, prepares the Federation’s inputs in consultation with the Headquarters in Geneva and field offices, and mobilizes support for IFRC’s priorities through active lobbying and advocacy.
Maintains regular contacts and collaboration with the ICRC Delegation to the UN for purposes of presenting coherent Movement positions on matters of mutual interest. In this connection, shares analyses and information with ICRC Delegation to the UN.
2. Provides analyses and intelligence briefings to the Office of the Secretary General and relevant divisions
Provides regular updates to the Office of the Secretary General for use by the Senior Management Team regarding opportunities for engagement and fundraising, which advance the interests of the organization.
Supports the HoD to provide strategic and pragmatic advice to IFRC Management and IFRC membership as appropriate, based on an analysis of trends in intergovernmental deliberations and UN agency discussions.
Remains informed about key issues and debates as well as develops and maintains a wide network of interlocutors amongst Member States, UN staff, other humanitarian organizations and observers.
Provides regular management reports on the activities of the Delegation.
3. Ensures that IFRC maintains a meaningful and consistent profile vis-à-vis UN Member States, UN agencies and accredited international media
Supports the implementation of the IFRC influencing agenda and other humanitarian diplomacy initiatives.
Monitors the work of the General Assembly and its Committees and ECOSOC with thematic focus on humanitarian affairs (including humanitarian coordination, disaster risk reduction, climate change, health, migration, etc.) and UN reform.
Advises the IFRC Secretariat on forthcoming UN important events and issues of strategic, policy or operational interest, makes recommendations on IFRC and National Society participation and on how these issues should be handled.
Consults and engages IFRC’s technical departments in Geneva in the process of generating inputs to reports drafted and released within the UN System, such as the Secretary General’s Reports and the ECOSOC Reports. Based on these reports and previous resolutions, engages with focal points at the ECOSOC and the UN General Assembly and with representatives of Member States in negotiations to secure the incorporation of IFRC inputs in relevant UN resolutions.
Leads and coordinates IFRC and National Society engagement in the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment, the UN General Assembly High-level Week, the UN General Assembly Summits, and other high-level encounters.
Oversees the Delegation’s liaison functions and assists in the coordination of the Federation’s humanitarian operations with UN OCHA and members of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee.
Prepares and coordinates the preparation of statements delivered at the United Nations and delivers, as necessary and appropriate, statements to the 2nd and 3rd Committees and other UN bodies.
Provides feedback on other information intended to raise the profile of IFRC vis-à-vis United Nations Member States, UN agencies and the media
4. Assists the HoD in engaging meaningfully with IFRC Regional Offices and National Societies
Provides leadership and strategic advice to IFRC offices and membership and ensures that they are offered regular opportunities to participate in the humanitarian diplomacy activities conducted by the Delegation (e.g., briefings with member states and other representations at UN gatherings, etc.), including on issues of specific interest (e.g., humanitarian crises and contexts).
Provides briefings and information to interested members and affords them an opportunity to feed advice, information, and analyses to the Delegation.
Develops and maintains a good collaborative relationship with the American Red Cross, particularly its New York Chapter.
5. Manages the day-to-day business of the Delegation
In collaboration with the HoD, coordinates and leads the development and implementation of the Delegation’s strategic plans that guide the team’s work and strengthen the role of IFRC as a Permanent Observer mission at the UN.
Coordinates and oversees the work of the Delegation’s staff and provides technical oversight; recruits staff members; and explores and arranges staff on loan opportunities; and ensures staff security.
Recruits, trains, and supervises the work and performance of interns.
Oversees the effective management of the Delegation’s information, records, and communication systems.
Ensures compliance with all applicable laws, procedures and regulations minimizing the risk of harm to IFRC and its Secretariat personnel, property, and resources.
Serves as the Acting HoD in the absence of the HoD.
Education
Required:
Graduate-level degree in international relations, diplomacy, political science, or other related discipline.
Preferred:
Certification or other qualification in Negotiation, Mediation or Advocacy.
Experience
Required:
At least 10 years of experience in humanitarian operations and humanitarian diplomacy with leadership responsibilities.
At least 10 years of experience in government relations at national and multilateral levels.
At least 5 years of experience in the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement
At least 5 years of proven experience in high-level communications.
Proven experience in the management and supervision of staff.
Demonstrable experience in research, report-writing, planning, and project management.
Proven results-based experience in relationship management and resource mobilization.
Proven experience in governance and leadership support.
Proven experience of acting in a representational role and maintaining donor and partner relations.
Preferred:
Experience in field operations
Knowledge, skills and languages
Knowledge and skills:
Strong management and organizational skills.
Excellent mediation and negotiation skills.
Superior presentation skills.
Strong intercultural and communications skills in a wide range of settings.
Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment.
Analysis, decision-making and problem-solving skills, including the ability to think strategically and tactically.
Demonstrated ability to undertake a high-level representational and advocacy role.
Excellent interpersonal negotiations skills, including tact and diplomacy as well as the ability to effectively communicate a vision, solve problems and manage conflict.
Proven people management skills in a multi-cultural environment and strong track record of developing people. Understanding of, and commitment to, the IFRC’s mission and values.
Ability to handle and advise on the management of confidential and sensitive information.
Languages:
Fluent spoken and written English.
Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) preferred.
Competencies and values
Core Competencies: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and Decision Making; National Society and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust.
Managerial Competencies: Managing Staff Performance; Managing Staff Development.
Functional Competencies: Strategic Orientation; Building Alliances; Leadership; Empowering Others.
Comments
The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.
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