Global Civil-Military Relations and Civil Protection Advisor

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to 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.” 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 four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination, (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, (iii) Management and Accountability and (iv) People and Strategy.

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 Civil-Military Relations file has been advanced for a long time on regional level, particularly in Asia Pacific and in the Americas. However, growing geopolitical tension now, more than before, necessitates a proactive global agenda related to Civil-Military Relations (CMR), with clear linkages with the regional, sub-regional intergovernmental disaster and crisis management systems and relevant National Authorities involved in disaster and crisis management (i.e. civil protection, civil defence). This is particularly relevant to Europe following the Ukraine crisis in 2022 and recent geopolitical shifts, which has led to a significant increase in military spending and a security emphasise in preparedness, further emphasise on the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and a renewed focus on Civil Defence. Based on the progress made previously through the global CMR position up until 2019, the new humanitarian realities, particularly in Europe, new directions adopted by the EU and DG ECHO about Civil-Military Coordination, Civil Protection, and Civil Defence and preparedness as well as other partners such as NATO, the US Government, UN system, etc. the IFRC is looking for updating and enhancing the program in line also with the new humanitarian trend, realities, challenges and opportunities.

The position will be attached to the department of Disasters, Climate & Crisis in Geneva, in the Operations Coordination team, working closely with the five regional offices, with special emphasis in the programmatic support to Europe and Africa Regions. Position will be outposted and based in Budapest.

Job Purpose

The role of the Global Civil-Military Relations and Civil Protection Advisor is to lead and support the shaping of policy, guidelines, and tools in the field of Civil-Military Relations and Civil Protection in respect of disaster response for the Red Cross Red Crescent Network, contributing to a consistent, coherent and cohesive regional and global approaches. The Global Civil and Military Relations and Civil Protection Advisor engage strongly with National Societies and ICRC, and with relevant external networks, to strengthen the Movement's identity and principles, understood and respected by the military, Intergovernmental systems, National Authorities and the UN, among others. The position will have a specific focus on the Europe region due to the significant change in the context due to the Ukraine crisis and recent global geopolitical shifts.

The position works under the umbrella of the Red Cross Red Crescent policy framework, including the Principles and Rules of Red Cross Red Crescent for Humanitarian Action and the Movement Coordination for Collective Impact Agreement (Seville Agreement 2.0) agreement. The position maintains close coordination with the ICRC unit overseeing the dialogue with Armed Forces on International Humanitarian Law, Europe Regional Office, EU Red Cross Office in Brussels.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Policy shaping

• Contribute to the drafting and updating process of Movement policy documents related to Civil-Military Relations (CMR) and Civil Protection/Defence, ensuring consistency with Red Cross Red Crescent policy frameworks.
• To ensure the alignment with the Principles and Rules for RCRC for Humanitarian Assistance and support the implementation of the Seville 2.0
• Influence the global CMR policy dialogue, representing the Movement’s position and mobilising other actors in support.
• Play an active role in the setting up and the animation of a Movement Advisory Group on CMR, and supporting the further development of a global roadmap in close coordination with the regional focal points in the regional offices
• Provide strategic advice to the IFRC Secretariat Advisory Group on CMR and Civil Protection/Defence.
• To contribute to discussions and forums about the role and implications for RCRC NS network in the five regions, taking in consideration also the new developments in Europe about the agendas related to CMR, Civil Protection and Civil Defence.
• To map external initiatives and contribute to the updating process of external policy frameworks and guidelines related to CMR, regional systems and national DM authorities such as Civil Protection/Defence
• To work closely with the Europe Regional Office on the Civil Protection/Defence files, particularly related to the contextual shifts following the Ukraine crisis, in close coordination with the Red Cross Office in Brussels as well.

Guidance and tools

• In close collaboration with the IFRC Secretariat NS preparedness, operations team and regions, develop and/or update the guidance and tools for the use of National Societies, adaptable to their contexts and building on resources available in the regions, and contributing to a consistent, coherent and cohesive global approach and the new humanitarian trends and realities such as protracted crisis and complex emergencies.
• To conduct a mapping exercise on the existing regional, subregional Intergovernmental DM systems and National DM authorities, and to guide the regions on how to interact with them ensuring the engagement of IFRC and NS in their respective regions.
• Support knowledge sharing between the regions keeping close communication and coordination with IFRC teams in GVA, and the joint IFRC and ICRC.

Movement network

• Contribute to raising awareness of and increase ownership by National Societies on CMR, Civil Protection, and Civil Defence issues.
• Working together with ICRC on position the Movement as a reference for humanitarian actors in CMR with national and international militaries.
• Support the development of a Movement network of CMR and Civil Protection/Defence expertise, building on and strengthening the existing knowledge base within IFRC, ICRC and National Societies.
• Update and enhance CMR programmes based on analysis of new humanitarian trends with IFRC management, ICRC and IFRC partners.

External networks

• Track and analyse current developments/initiatives in Civil-Miliary Coordination and Civil Protection/Defence by key regional and global actors including the intergovernmental DM system, making recommendations where appropriate.
• To support the IFRC and NS in strengthening the cooperation with the domestic and international military forces and Disaster and Crisis management actors, such as US Commands, NATO, European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM) and ECHO, ASEAN, APCMCOORD, FRANZ Arrangement and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), CEPREDENAC, CDEMA, Africa Union, SADC, ECOWAS etc. in close coordination with the regional offices.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

• To enhance the cooperation and coordination with UNOCHA, WFP and WHO on CMR and with EU/DG ECHO on the regional approach towards “Safer Together: Strengthening Europe’s Civilian and Military Preparedness and Readiness” through the Preparedness Union Strategy.
• Support structured, prioritised Movement outreach on CMR based on an analysis of gaps/opportunities, including through potential participation in global/regional CMR related events and exercises.

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Work actively towards the achievement of IFRC’s goals.
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education

Required

• Relevant university degree or equivalent knowledge related to Military, Police and/or Civil Protection/Civil Defence.
• IMPACT/Basic Delegates Training Course.
• Relevant professional training courses (Red Cross/Red Crescent related, humanitarian and development sector, management, etc.) especially in IHL.

Experience

Required

• Minimum of 10 years work experience in the international sector, related to disaster, crisis response or conflict environments.
• Prior military service and/or experience working in the field of CMR  and/or Civil Protection, Civil Defence.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working at strategic level, either within a Movement context or for a national government or international organization.
• Management of a team with a minimum 3 years’ experience of managing, coaching, and supporting staff.
• Experience with participatory assessment, programme planning, management techniques and coordination.
• Experience of planning and managing finances and budgets.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Fluent spoken and written English.
• Demonstrated skill in analytical and strategic thinking.
• Able to write and brief fluently, presenting complex information in a clear, concise way to a range of audiences, and working to demanding deadlines.
• Able to work well in a multicultural team and in a changing environment.
• Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word-processing, email, etc.)

Preferred

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).
• In-depth knowledge of normative frameworks for civ-mil relations and Civil protection in disaster response (including OSLO Guidelines, MCDA Guidelines, UCPM and CoD resolutions).

Competencies, Values and Comments

VALUES: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.

CORE COMPETENCIES: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and Decision Making; National Societies and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust.

Application Instruction

Please submit your application in English only.