Switzerland: Humanitarian Principles Advisor

Organization: Norwegian Refugee Council
Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 12 Jan 2015

NRC Geneva leads Norwegian Refugee Council’s representation and activities in Geneva, especially with the IASC mechanisms and UN agencies, as well as leading on humanitarian policy globally. NRC strives to assist and protect vulnerable and displaced people during crises, especially in situations of conflict. Established in 1946, NRC is an independent, humanitarian, non-profit, non-governmental organisation working in over 25 countries with approximately 4,500 staff. NRC employs a rights based approach, challenging those with responsibility to uphold the rights of displaced people set out within national and International Laws. NRC endeavours to secure the acceptance of local stakeholders for activities and is committed to the principles of humanity, neutrality, independence and impartiality.

NRC, with the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) advocates towards decision-makers at local, national, regional and global levels in order to obtain full respect for the rights of displaced and vulnerable people. Advocating with the United Nations, especially with protection mandated agencies, is a priority in order to strengthen humanitarian response. NRC seeks to engage with all relevant actors in order to secure and maintain access to displaced and vulnerable people, and promote the achievement of durable solutions.

All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s core values: dedication, innovation, inclusivity and accountability. These attitudes and believes shall guide our actions and relationships.

Role and responsibilities

NRC Geneva requires an experienced Humanitarian Principles Advisor to support NRC’s Head of Humanitarian Policy, in the areas of humanitarian principles and engagement in select processes such as the World Humanitarian Summit and ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment. This work will be in support of the overall leadership of the Head of Humanitarian Policy and Director of NRC Geneva and in close collaboration with Oslo and country offices. The Advisor will also support fundraising efforts; coordination of projects; organisation of events; networking with internal and external stakeholders; and they will draft messages, briefing papers and other products as required. The Humanitarian Principles Advisor will be expected to work closely with other members of the Geneva humanitarian policy team under the management of the Head of Humanitarian Policy, and closely collaborate with other NRC departments and field offices, especially Field Operations and Organisational Development.

A variety of activities and products are contemplated in this work such as round table discussions with humanitarian organisations and government representatives in the Middle East, and in European and North American capitals, the development of practical research products, and direct support to NRC offices in their engagement in the World Humanitarian Summit process. The Advisor will be expected to demonstrate leadership in the organisation of these events and research development, and to travel as required.

Humanitarian Principles

• In support of the Head of Humanitarian Policy, coordinate development and implementation of NRC’s humanitarian principles project, entitled “Strengthening Principled Humanitarian Action”, including : · Developing a strategic plan for humanitarian principles and policy activities.
• Coordination of research processes and delivery of products.
• Organisation of policy dialogues in Europe, North America and the Middle East.
• Support internal processes to strengthen the implementation of humanitarian principles.
• Maintain budgets and ensure timely and appropriate reporting to donors.
• Develop website and communications products as well as reports, linked to the project “Strengthening Principled Humanitarian Action”.
• Actively seek out and draft fundraising proposals for the project.
• Undertake field missions to NRC country programs and other locations as required.

Representation and networking

• Close collaboration with partners working on humanitarian principles such as ICRC, IFRC and NGO consortia.

World Humanitarian Summit

• Act as NRC’s World Humanitarian Summit focal point for NRC colleagues in the field, by providing regular updates related to the process and supporting participation in the process at regional levels.
• Provide support to NRC’s office to engage in the WHS process, and particularly AU and Gulf Representation offices, the LAC regional office and Oslo Head Office on WHS humanitarian policy debates, including attending UN and other briefings.

Other

• Ensure timely and regular circulation of information across NRC on activities, and keep updated NRC Head Office Representation offices and programme staff on developments, debates and events within the international humanitarian sector on humanitarian principles and access, as well as broader policy issues.
• Support the Director of Geneva and Head off Humanitarian Policy with selected inter-agency processes and coordination mechanisms, as required.
• Develop draft talking points, briefing papers and updates and other material as required for representation by NRC staff and management on humanitarian principles and broader humanitarian policy issues.

Competencies

Professional competencies:

• Master’s degree in social science, human rights, law or other relevant field
• 5 years of work experience
• Field experience with a humanitarian organisation is preferable
• Proven research, analytical and documentation skills
• Coordination, networking and event organisation experience
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Context/specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• Work experience relating to humanitarian action, with preference for expertise in international humanitarian law and/or policy
• Understanding of Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) mechanisms is preferable
• Coordination, networking and event organisation experience
• Experience with donor reporting and budget processes
• Knowledge of or fluency in other languages relevant for the position is an asset, especially French, Spanish and/or Arabic

Behavioural competencies

• Self-starter and team player
• Planning and delivering results
• Analysis and drafting
• Coping with change and multiple tasks

How to apply:

Application have to be registered on the *Webcruiter*of the Norwegian Refugee Council.The webcruiter can accessed by choosing this position on the vacancy page of NRC's website: http://www.nrc.no/?aid=9127676