Head of Office and EU Representative – Brussels, Belgium

Mission

Geneva Call is a neutral and impartial non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting respect by Armed Groups and de Facto Authorities (AGDA) for international humanitarian norms in armed conflict and other situations of violence, in particular those related to the protection of civilians. Geneva Call focuses its efforts on banning the use of anti-personnel mines, protecting children from the effects of armed conflict, prohibiting sexual violence in armed conflict, working towards the elimination of gender discrimination, protection of civilian infrastructure and humanitarian access.
Geneva Call consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. Geneva Call is an inclusive working environment for all its staff. Applications are particularly encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Role

The Head of Office and EU Representative is a key member of Geneva Call’s Senior Management Team. S/he is part of the Director General’s office and reports to the Director of Operations and the Director of External Relations / Support.
The role:

• Lead Geneva Call’s strategic engagement with the EU institutions and Benelux countries, relevant Brussels based civil society partners and others to advance Geneva Call’s mission and promote the protection of civilians in EU external action.
• Sustain and elevate the profile of Geneva Call programme, policy and advocacy work with the EU, the Benelux countries, and deliver impact in line with the objectives of the new Strategy 2024-2027, the Geneva Call Europe’s Office (GCEO) annual workplan, including the EU Engagement Plan.
• Orchestrate and lead Geneva Call’s representation in high-level events or fora and manage bilateral visits.
• Closely monitor and analyze and shape global advocacy strategies to shape relevant EU policies or processes to ensure that civilian protection priorities are adequately reflected.
• Ensure an increased focus on resource mobilisation, in particular, the increase of quality funding for the organization programming and advocacy activity globally from EU institutions and the three Benelux governments.
• Supervise management of the Geneva Call Europe (Brussels Office), including Human Resources, the Office budget and supervising direct reports. The post holder will consult, cooperate and capitalise on existing organisational strengths; effectively represent Geneva Call externally and lead and facilitate internal processes.

Core responsibilities

Strategic Engagement and advocacy with the EU and the Benelux countries

The HOEUR is responsible for leadership and coordination of all Geneva Call’s activities in Brussels and the Benelux countries and will drive forward the strategic opportunities to advance Geneva Call’s agenda and profile. The HOEUR will:

• Lead the design and implementation of Geneva Call Europe’s office (GCEO) annual workplan, including the EU Engagement Plan, and ensuring its overall implementation and an appropriate allocation of resources;
• Lead advocacy and influencing of policy changes through strategic engagement with EU institutions and Benelux governments at high levels to promote Geneva Call`s agenda;
• Lead on the monitoring and analysis of relevant EU and Benelux foreign, humanitarian aid, international and development cooperation as well as peace and security trends;
• Maintain and strengthen a strong network of influential contacts to ensure Geneva Call is connected to key developments and opportunities within EU external policies and programmes, including by reinforcing the work with the EU Parliament, and if relevant with Benelux national parliaments;
• Monitor and analyse political developments in the EU to identify strategic opportunities for influencing policies;
• Supervise the design and implementation of activities and events that support the advocacy work of the GCEO with relevant Geneva Call country operations and in partnership with external relevant EU actors;
• Provide on-going direction to ensure advocacy and engagement are implemented effectively;
• Actively participate in meetings and fora to promote Geneva Call’s key advocacy messages and strategy;
• Represent Geneva Call in relevant NGO networks events, organized by EPLO, VOICE or other networks.

Partnerships with the EU and the Benelux countries

• The HOEUR will direct strategic engagement with the EU and the Benelux countries to increase its current partnership (and funding) for Geneva Call operations and advocacy work as defined under the EU Engagement Plan. The HOEUR will do this by ensuring coordination with the GCEO staff, the Global engagement team, the Donor Relations team and relevant operational colleagues. The HOEUR will in particular:
  • Maintain and build strong relationships with key actors in relevant EU institutions;
  • Identify and engage opportunities to secure funding by keeping up to date on developments within the EU funding institutions and the Benelux capitals, particularly new priorities or political objectives;
  • Influence the EU’s development and humanitarian budget agenda, particularly programmes and practices;
  • With support from the operations, supervise the development, monitoring and evaluation of EU funded programmes to ensure early intelligence gathering to be utilised by the EU institutions as well as by country teams across the organisation;
  • Lead the implementation of the EU Engagement Plan as approved by GCE Board.

Communications and Working Relationships

The HOEUR has a crucial role in strengthening communication and collaboration with other GC offices in order to facilitate and support their understanding, presence, and involvement with the work of the EU at all levels. She/He will:

• Report to Director of Operations and Director of External Relations and Support Services;
• Work closely with the Directorate of GC HQ, Management team and (when relevant) board members to ensure coordinated engagement and decision making related to the EU relationship and engagement;
• Encourage a sustainable and structural engagement on EU issues across Geneva Call, particularly sharing knowledge and expertise on EU functioning, key trends and policy updates relevant for the organisation’s operational activities;
• Lead on delivering effective internal communications across GCEO and the organisation in general.

Management and Financial Responsibilities

The HOEUR will:

• Attract, recruit, develop, generate progress, and retain a highly skilled, motivated and diverse team;
• Supervise and be responsible for the GCEO budget;
• Act as secretariat for the GC Europe board, ensuring twice yearly meetings are successful. Manage the complex (decision) processes with Geneva Call HQ and operational offices with respect to the EU partnership agreements;
• Act as a leader and role-model of the organisation’s values and purpose, including promoting compliance and respect to ensure staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under GC internal policies.

Main qualifications

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in high-level advocacy for humanitarian, developmental or peace organizations within EU institutions;
• Robust and granular knowledge of the EU institutions and its decision-making processes;
• Political and diplomatic skills, with strong networking and existing relationships at EU HQ;
• Good knowledge of the EU’s external relations, practices, policies and trends;
• Proven track record in having established significant relationships with the EU institutions that translate into income generation;
• In-depth understanding of issues relating to international cooperation, humanitarian and social cohesion sectors and the EU’s role/contributions within;
• Proven experience on working in the humanitarian and peace sectors is highly desirable;
• Solid experience in programmatic and/or advocacy experience in partner countries, particularly towards EU Delegations, in support to civil society organisations;
• Experience in managing diverse teams and through times of transition;
• Network/relationship management experience, preferably with EU personnel and experience in similar membership organisations;
• Proven experience within a diverse, international, multisector/multicultural/multi lingual environment;
• A passion for, understanding and demonstrable commitment to protecting civilians living in conflict affected areas, including children, women and most vulnerable communities.

Performance management

The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the GC Performance Management p. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

• The Job Description
• The individual Work- and Professional Development Plan
• The Competency Framework

Conflict of interest

Any candidate affiliated to, or openly supporting, one or more interest groups opposed to the Foundation’s principles and values, or whose previous position could engender safety issues for co-workers at Appel de Genève / Geneva Call, will be excluded from this selection process.

Conditions

• Position: Head of Office and EU Representative (HOEUR)
• Type of contract: Open ended (National contract)
• Activity rate: 100%
• Work place: Brussels, Belgium
• Preferred start date: 1 March 2024