Organizational Context
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the worldโs largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is โto inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.โ IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (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.
IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.
The Secretariatโs headquarters is divided into the Division of Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services; the Division of National Society Development and Operations Coordination (NSDOC); Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization and the Office of the Secretary General.
The Global HD Team is part of the Division of Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, and is led by the Director Humanitarian Diplomacy (who is also Permanent Observer to the UN in New York). IFRC has both an obligation as well as the ability to play a pivotal role in supporting vulnerable people and ensuring the centrality of humanitarian principles in a complex and crisis prone world. The Global HD team is responsible for promoting HD coherence and capacity across the Secretariat and National Societies enabling IFRC to play a key diplomatic leadership role internationally.
The Legal Department, is part of the Office of the Secretary General (OSG), and reports to the Director of the OSG and Chief of Staff. In addition, the General Counsel leads and manages the Global Legal Team composed of highly qualified lawyers in the Legal Department in Geneva and strategically posted in the field. The Legal function supports the Federation globally in the following areas:
Management of legal risks Compliance with applicable legal and regulatory framework Support to national societies in their own legal risk managementThe Senior Advisor, Humanitarian Principles, Counter-terrorism, and Sanctions is part of the Global HD team and reports to the Global Lead on Humanitarian Diplomacy, with a technical reporting line to the General Counsel and Director of the Legal Department and Data Protection Office.
The position requires travel from time to time.
Job Purpose
The Senior Advisor, Humanitarian Principles, Counter-terrorism, and Sanctions coordinates the workstream on Humanitarian Principles, as well as Counter -Terrorism (CT) and sanctions worldwide.
The Senior Advisor, Humanitarian Principles, Counter-terrorism, and Sanctions is the leading expert responsible for the development of diplomatic and legal strategies, policies and procedures relating to Humanitarian Principles, Counter-terrorism, sanctions.
The post holder will provide strategic guidance and advice on and coordination of the IFRC and its National Societies in relation to principled humanitarian action, CT and sanctions regimes, including advice on applicable legal and regulatory, international law and humanitarian principles and policy and diplomacy work.
The post holder will also be the external facing of the IFRC in this field of expertise to position the IFRC, raise awareness and engage with key external partners, donors and stakeholders.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Strategy for Humanitarian Principles, Counter-Terrorism (CT) and Sanctions
Ensure institutional understanding of issues, dynamics and risks and provide appropriate legal advice. Develop the strategy, design the policy and procedures, under the guidance of the General Counsel, in terms of CT and sanctions and humanitarian principles. Stay abreast of the relevant sanctions and counter-terrorism laws, policies and related measures that may impact on IFRC and National Society operations across the world. Keep track of global and regional (and occasionally national) policy and legal developments, including the relevant positions adopted at global level, regionally and by different states. Map out issues around donorsโ and partnersโ obligations and expectations, as well as risks and advise IFRC accordingly. Promote a better understanding of sanctions and CT issues amongst IFRC and NS, and coordinate a community of practice, share information and encourage peer to peer information sharing on this topic, giving relevant information and update sessions as appropriate. Provide expert and authoritative legal advice, at all levels of the organization and globally on CT and sanctions. Make representations to donors and partners in relation to CT and sanctions. Develop other legal services or products as may be determined by the Director of the Legal Department in relation to the above. Promote increased recognition the importance of Neutral Impartial Humanitarian Action (NIHA) and recognize critical role of IFRC network by external actors. Promote internal understanding of fundamental principles, auxiliary role etc, in collaboration with regional colleagues and the disaster law team, so NS can effectively engage their governments on these issues. Provide expert legal advice as needed for specific contexts/ crises around international and principled humanitarian action.
Leadership
Lead the workstream globally on CT, sanctions and humanitarian principles. Remain up to date with best practices and policy developments and translate these into the IFRC Secretariatโs policies, processes, and operations targeting awareness, prevention, early identification, response and accountability, as well NSโs operational framework. Lead and oversee the multi-disciplinary work around sanctions and humanitarian principles information sharing; training; HR and resourcing; logistics and procurement, finance, partnerships and operations and maintaining and enhancing best practices in the IFRC Secretariatโs policies and programmes, systems and tools. Periodically review and update, in coordination with IFRC management, key policies, procedures and related manuals, ensuring a coherent approach across IFRC functions. Oversee the IFRC Secretariatโs sanctions and humanitarian principles policy and framework and develop mechanisms to monitor and report on its implementation across IFRC operations and delegations. Represent IFRC as requested at cross-sector and multi-agency fora and working group worldwide. Represent the organization in internal and external meetings, including in relation to the drafting and negotiation of resolutions brought before the Council of Delegates and at the International Conference.Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)
Policies, Systems, Tools and Training
Develop IFRCโs institutional positions, processes, procedures, controls and tools in relation to Humanitarian Principles, CT and sanctions, and support NS to develop theirs, thereby supporting improved consistent approach to compliance and risk management:
Develop IFRCโs institutional positions on critical issues as they arise. Collate and share good practices around compliance with sanctions and CT, including facilitating a common and efficient approach to compliance, such as under what conditions IFRC will undertake screening, good practices in risk mitigation and similar requests. Work in close coordination with Legal and closely with finance, logistics/procurement, Human Resource Management, donor relations, etc. to promote a common aligned and coordinated approach. Identify current processes, procedures and available tools and establish short Standard operating Procedure (SoP) with processes, charts and a checklist amongst others for project managers and organizational mainstreaming. Advise NS on how to develop their own relevant processes, procedures and tools.Coordination, oversight and support to the membership
Lead and coordinate Humanitarian Diplomacy including strategic planning, analysis and support across the membership and with ICRC and for coordinated donor and government engagement, as well as regional and global bodies, relating to threats to principled humanitarian action as experienced by IFRC and National Societies Follow the international policy dialogue on sanction and counter terrorism measures, provide political analysis and advise on the IFRC position and support representation of the IFRC in international inter-governmental forums. Support NS in their efforts to develop and maintain a dialogue on these issues with all relevant parts of government, including ministries of foreign affairs, finance, justice and security. Collate good practices and lessons learned on sanction and CT and share these across the network. Seek to influence UN and regional bodies directly and via coordinated NS engagement through member states. Link with relevant academics / research groups on the subject, as well as IASC working group. Monitor, summarize and disseminate reports/position papers/ etc to create a common knowledge base. Support IFRC staff and NS to have the information they need to be able to engage with donors on these issues, in terms of negotiating agreements and determine what are and are not reasonable asks Develop needed tools / products to help the IFRC and NS engage in Humanitarian diplomacy with donors/ governments. Develop tools and webinars or other sanctions and humanitarian principles informational materials for National Societies. Provide legal advice to National Societies in relation to sanctions and humanitarian principles and the setup of legal strategy in the handling of related matters. Strengthen the active and vibrant network of staff from National Societies, the ICRC and other humanitarian organizations and other relevant professional networks.Training
Lead and develop training material and provide trainings to IFRC staff and national societies staff on sanctions and humanitarian principles, as well as on internal policies systems and tools. Role model IFRCโs values and principles in day-to-day operations with respect to its commitment to handling personal data of all stakeholders with the highest care and standards.Education
Required
University degree in lawPreferred
Specialized studies in public international law, international organization law, and/or management would be an asset.
Experience
Required
7-10 years of experience in legal analysis with work on Counter-Terrorism and sanctions. Experience handling legal issues, including disputes, litigation, and resolution of complex legal challenges, with minimal risk exposure. At least 5 years of experience in humanitarian operations, with experience of humanitarian principles and the practical impacts of CT and sanctions measures. Successful experience in the design, development and implementation of policy campaigns, including strategy-building, inter-governmental advocacy, and evidence building.Experience in working in a team environment, with remote team members.
Preferred
Experience within the Red Cross and Red Crescent MovementKnowledge, Skills and Languages
Knowledge and Skills
Required
Expert knowledge of applicable legal framework to CT and sanctions applicable to international organisations and local civil society organisations. Expert understanding of the dynamics, institutions and political context of the international humanitarian and development sectors. Excellent analytical, drafting and research skills. Strong communication, networking, and collaboration skills. Training and coaching skills. General knowledge of international affairs.Preferred
Knowledge of Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
Languages
Required
Fluent spoken and written EnglishPreferred
Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)
Competencies, Values and Comments
Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust