Officer, Humanitarian Diplomacy At International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies 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.” The 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 the 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. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

The IFRC Country Delegation in Greece provides support to the Hellenic Red Cross through long-term programming and emergency response, as well as National Society Development and capacity building efforts. Current programme priorities include the Greece-related components of a regional emergency appeal for population movement and the global COVID-19 response, as well as longer-term programmes on national society development, health and migration. Cash-based interventions remain an important component of programming and is expected to continue to play a role in future programming modalities.

The IFRC has been present in Greece since 2015 implementing a large Emergency Appeal to support Hellenic Red Cross response to the Migration crisis. Greece continues to be one of the priority countries for the IFRC in Europe due to the protracted need to continue monitoring and responding to the challenges posed by migration flows in the country.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Head of Delegation (HoD) in Greece, the Humanitarian Diplomacy Officer will interact with a wide spectrum of actors in support, and on behalf of the HoD, and more specifically will support, assist and advise the HoD on: (i) humanitarian diplomacy issues; (ii) facilitation of outreach activities of the HoD; (iii) engagement with inter-agency forums and other external stakeholders; (iv) provision of a broad range of analytical, liaison and representation functions. The HD Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Delegation Greece.

The position is based in Athens with occasional travel to operational areas as and when required.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Context Monitoring and Analysis

• Analyse the overall politic, economic and social situation in Greece to support IFRC positioning.
• Analyse the humanitarian trends in Greece and monitor the situation of refugees, identifying key trends, challenges and gaps that are relevant for the IFRC in Greece and the broader IFRC Migration operation in Europe.
• Participate in Inter-Agency coordination meetings and other relevant events representing the IFRC.
• Carry out social, humanitarian and political research work in support of specific programs and activities of the IFRC and ensure that relevant pertinent developments are brought to the prompt attention of the HoD.

Strategy and Planning

• Provide support and advice to the HoD on all matters relating to humanitarian diplomacy.
• Together with other relevant members of the team, support the HoD in the development of humanitarian diplomacy strategies, priorities, and goals.
• Provide substantive and rapid input, analysis and recommendations on issues brought to the HoD’s attention for information or action.

Capacity Building

• Lead on the enhancement of humanitarian diplomacy capacities of IFRC and HRC staff and volunteers through formal trainings, peer-to-peer support and accompaniment, and strategic/targeted briefings.

External Relations

• Support the Head of Office to representthe IFRC and build effective relations with relevant governmental authorities, at local, national and regional level, and with other organisations represented in Greece.
• Provide support and advice to specific activities and projects in terms of coordination with the Greek authorities.
• Assist the HoD on all matters relating to the IFRC’s partnerships, and outreach activities.
• Maintain regular contact both informally and formally with a wide range of staff, to ensure that the HoD captures important issues adequately and in a timely manner, prepares for meetings appropriately, and follows up on the implementation of agreed actions.
• Flag any reputational risk issues to the Red Cross brand in Greece through media monitoring or other approach.
• Assist in cultivating effective relationships across the Red Cross Movement and other humanitarian actors.
• Prepare and review briefs, presentations, speeches, talking points and related materials as appropriate.
• Coordinate IFRC representation in relevant forums.
• Ensure an inclusive flow of information about upcoming and past inter-agency meetings with relevant IFRC colleagues in Greece.
• Coordinate and facilitate engagement in donor conferences and ministerial roundtables.

Contribution to an effective, high-quality IFRC team

• Be a pro-active team member fostering a customer service-oriented culture that values proactivity, continuous improvement, innovation, high performance, and cost effectiveness.
• Foster a co-creative environment with relevant colleagues in Greece and all levels of the Secretariat and National Societies and an open and co-operative view to the actors in the relevant external environment.

Duties applicable to all staff

• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Position Requirements

Education

Required

• University degree in humanitarian affairs, political sciences, international relations, or other relevant field

Preferred

• Master’s degree or diploma in humanitarian diplomacy

Experience

Required

• At least 3 years’ proven experience in similar roles in the humanitarian or social sectors
• Previous experience in an International Organization, iNGO or NGO in Greece or abroad

Preferred

• Experience in the refugee crisis in Greece
• Previous experience with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement (IFRC, ICRC, NS)

Knowledge, Skills and Language

Required

• Proven analytical and writing skills and strategic thinking
• Knowledge of the social and political context in Greece
• Good understanding of the national and global policies and procedures related to migration
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Networking and relationship building skills
• Self-driven, proactive and capacity to work with autonomy
• Demonstrated capacity to work in a cross-functional and multi-cultural environment
• Fluently spoken and written English
• Fluently spoken and written Greek

Preferred

• Ability to deal with complex and sensitive issues
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies and Values

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