Established in 1863, the ICRC operates worldwide, helping people affected by conflict and armed violence and promoting the laws that protect victims of war. An independent and neutral organization, its mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We are based in Geneva, Switzerland, and employ some 14,500 people in more than 80 countries.

Purpose

The Senior Humanitarian Affairs Adviser (SHAA) enables the delegation to understand and influence the wider political and humanitarian environment in Kenya, Tanzania and Djibouti; and conflicts in the region.

The SHAA designs and delivers effective diplomatic and policy strategies. Their overall responsibility is to design and deliver, in collaboration with other departments, effective engagement strategies with national, multilateral and regional stakeholders, as well as joining the dots globally.

Accountabilities & functional responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze political, economic, social, conflict and security developments in Kenya and the region, assessing their humanitarian implications and advising Delegation management;
• Develop and maintain strategic stakeholder mapping and high-level networks with government authorities, parliamentarians, diplomatic missions, civil society, NGOs, think tanks and international organizations;
• Lead the development and implementation of humanitarian diplomacy strategies and policy objectives for Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, contributing to regional and global initiatives as required;
• Advise management on strategic engagement with national authorities, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and identify opportunities to advance the ICRC’s humanitarian priorities;
• Strengthen institutional relations and cooperation with regional and multilateral organizations, including the African Union, IGAD and EAC, and promote the ICRC’s mandate and humanitarian principles;
• Monitor regional and international humanitarian policy developments and coordinate information sharing with delegations, regional hubs and headquarters;
• Develop policy analyses, briefing notes, concept papers, key messages and other strategic documentation to inform diplomatic engagement and management decision-making;
• Lead humanitarian affairs planning and budgeting, define portfolio objectives, monitor implementation and ensure alignment with Delegation priorities;
• Facilitate internal coordination, knowledge sharing and staff briefings on political context, humanitarian issues and cultural sensitivities;
• Maintain regular engagement with relevant regional and global structures to strengthen coordination, information exchange and the Institution’s external influence.

Professional experience required

• A university degree in International Relations, Social or Political Sciences, or Law (preferably with a focus on Public International Law esp. International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and/or International Human Rights Law (IHRL));
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in humanitarian action or political affairs;
• At least minimum 3 years of proven professional experience in team management or supervision, with responsibility for coordinating team activities, monitoring performance, and supporting staff development;
• Prior field experience with the ICRC or an international organization, and/or experience working with Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a similar government institution;
• Proven ability to map stakeholders, build and maintain networks, and influence key interlocutors;
• Strong strategic understanding of national, regional and global relations, and their interplay with humanitarian affairs, peace and security;
• Good knowledge of relevant regional multilateral organizations, forums, agencies and platforms, as well as humanitarian organizations and civil society actors;
• Fluency in English; knowledge of French is an asset;

What we offer

• Diverse and humanitarian-minded workforce;
• An opportunity to contribute to institutional efforts to protect and assist conflict victims worldwide;
• Training opportunities ;
• Flexible work schedule.

• Monitor and analyze political, economic, social, conflict and security developments in Kenya and the region, assessing their humanitarian implications and advising Delegation management
• Develop and maintain strategic stakeholder mapping and high-level networks with government authorities, parliamentarians, diplomatic missions, civil society, NGOs, think tanks and international organizations
• Lead the development and implementation of humanitarian diplomacy strategies and policy objectives for Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, contributing to regional and global initiatives as required
• Advise management on strategic engagement with national authorities, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and identify opportunities to advance the ICRC’s humanitarian priorities
• Strengthen institutional relations and cooperation with regional and multilateral organizations, including the African Union, IGAD and EAC, and promote the ICRC’s mandate and humanitarian principles
• Monitor regional and international humanitarian policy developments and coordinate information sharing with delegations, regional hubs and headquarters
• Develop policy analyses, briefing notes, concept papers, key messages and other strategic documentation to inform diplomatic engagement and management decision-making
• Lead humanitarian affairs planning and budgeting, define portfolio objectives, monitor implementation and ensure alignment with Delegation priorities
• Facilitate internal coordination, knowledge sharing and staff briefings on political context, humanitarian issues and cultural sensitivities
• Maintain regular engagement with relevant regional and global structures to strengthen coordination, information exchange and the Institution’s external influence

• Team management or supervision
• Coordinating team activities
• Monitoring performance
• Supporting staff development
• Mapping stakeholders
• Building and maintaining networks
• Influencing key interlocutors
• Strategic understanding of national, regional and global relations
• Knowledge of relevant regional multilateral organizations, forums, agencies and platforms
• Knowledge of humanitarian organizations and civil society actors
• Fluency in English
• Knowledge of French is an asset

• University degree in International Relations, Social or Political Sciences, or Law (preferably with a focus on Public International Law esp. International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and/or International Human Rights Law (IHRL))