Humanitarian Diplomacy and Strategic Partnership Manager

Date of issue :08-08-24

Closing Date: 22-08-24 **(Yangon Time Zone) Thursday (**17:00 P.M MST)

Duty Station: Yangon, Myanmar

Duration: 1-year contract with possible extension (3-month probation period)

Category of Staff: National Staff

Grade: ND1

Estimated starting date of employment: As soon as the suitable candidate selected

Vacancy No: IFRC-N005

Background

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. The IFRC carries out strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy and national society development and membership services, for and with its member Red Cross, Red Crescent National Societies.

Organizational Context

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 Myanmar Country Office is one of the IFRC Country Offices in the Asia Pacific Region. In Myanmar, the IFRC works closely with the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) and other members of the IFRC network to reinforce the MRCS’ unique humanitarian mandate and humanitarian activities, as well as its humanitarian diplomacy activities. It also provides vital technical, financial and logistical support to MRCS while strengthening its participation in regional and global cooperation during emergency and non-emergency times.

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.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Head of Delegation (HoD), and under technical supervision of the Regional Head, HD and Regional Liaison, the HD and Strategic Partnerships Manager seeks the smooth delivery of Humanitarian Diplomacy, strategic partnerships and resource mobilization (SPRM) activities for the IFRC in Myanmar. The post holder is responsible for supporting the HoD in the development, coordination, and execution of IFRC’s HD and SPRM strategies for Myanmar.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Humanitarian Diplomacy (HD)

• Provide strategic advice and act as a trusted adviser to the Head of Delegation in matters pertaining to humanitarian diplomacy, strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization.
• Support liaison with key internal and external stakeholders for the Head of Delegation in the advancement of the IFRC’s HD agenda in Myanmar, facilitating, preparing and following up on engagement.
• Identify key decision-makers, power centres and policy opportunities to develop engagement plans to strategically position IFRC and the IFRC network within Myanmar.
• Lead in preparation, coordination, and promotion of policy position papers and briefs on relevant topics for advancing IFRC’s HD agenda in Myanmar and ensure their implementation.
• Supporting the HD strategy for IFRC in Myanmar, taking in to account the challenges outlined in Strategy 2030.
• Ensure the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the Head of Delegation’s strategic outgoing correspondence by coordinating with relevant internal stakeholders, providing analysis on political and humanitarian issues and compounding contexts and stakeholders as well as finalizing supporting documentation.
• As advised and directed by the Head of Delegation, working closely with MRCS on HD strategy and messages, and providing appropriate support and advice to MRCS.
• Support the IFRC Country Delegation’s Senior Management Team (SMT) with advice on humanitarian diplomacy, strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization issues to ensure overall organizational coherence and alignment on positioning, including on national and regional policy dialogues.
• Proactively identify opportunities for engagement with the diplomatic community, donor institutions, development banks, and international organizations covering Myanmar and ensures effective follow-up as appropriate.
• Support close dialogue with key stakeholders, diplomatic missions and donors including by preparing regular briefings, bilateral meetings, and donor or mission briefings as well as visits.
• Coordinate with the IFRC Programmes team, Operations team and Communications staff on rapid emergency communications response to humanitarian challenges and crises impacting Myanmar to highlight the needs, to support positioning, and to support fundraising efforts.

Strategic Partnerships

• Support the identification, development, and management of IFRC’s strategic partnerships in Myanmar in consultation with the Country Delegation and in collaboration with regional SPRM colleagues.
• Development of clear engagement strategies for partners and systemic ways of engagement where needed in collaboration with Partner National Societies.
• Support coordination with the Host NS and the IFRC Membership, supporting via multilateral and bilateral channels, to ensure an IFRC-wide approach while liaising with the ICRC on relevant matters.
• Support strengthened cooperation with multilateral and international financial institutions, development banks with country presence, UN agencies, and specialized funds.
• Ensure the management of all information/data related to partnerships/funding in Myanmar is kept fully up to date in the IFRC’s customer relationship management (CRM) system.
• As directed by the Head of Delegation, working closely with MRCS counterpart on strategic partnerships strategy and messages, and providing appropriate support and advice to MRCS.

Resource Mobilization

• Aim for strong coverage of IFRC emergency appeals and unified plans in Myanmar, working with regional SPRM, maintaining an overview of the funding situation, continuously identifying gaps in funding, developing funding plans, and pursuing new funding opportunities.
• Support donor and partner stewardship, including provision of continuous contextual and progress updates, and efficient management of pledges for emergency appeals and unified plans according to established guidelines/procedures.
• Support development of funding proposals to a high standard and compliant with internal guidelines/procedures.

Education

• University-level degree in a relevant field (e.g. international relations, development studies, law, political science, public administration) or equivalent in qualifying experience is required.
• Qualification or certification in project management or negotiation is preferred.

Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in advocacy, partnerships, multi-stakeholder engagement, donor relations, or resource mobilization is required.
• Experience in managing external relations with diplomatic missions, international organizations, and other key actors is required.
• Solid experience in networking and building relationship with internal and external stakeholders is required.
• At least 3 years of experience within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and/or other humanitarian organization(s) is preferred.
• Field experience in high-risk and/or fragile context(s) is preferred.
• Demonstrable experience in project/funding proposal preparation is preferred
• Experience in grant management is preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality, acting as a model of highest integrity in personal capacity and at team level is required.
• Professional credibility, strong analytical and problem-solving skills is required.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, influencing skills, networking, and representation skills is required.
• Ability to negotiate while maintaining effective working relations is required.
• Comprehensive knowledge of major donor policies, regulations, and approaches is preferred.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-lingual and cross-functional environment is required.
• Ability to translate strategy into reality/practice is required.
• Ability to work under pressure and in a demanding environment while keeping a consistent, courteous, and positive attitude towards others is required.
• Developed soft skills such as adaptability, empathy, high-level of individual ethics is required.
• Ease with public speaking and engagement with external stakeholders is required.
• Ability to work in situations of uncertainty and rapid change is required.
• Proven skills to foster and identify need for confidentiality is required.
• Demonstrated internal and external accountability is required.

Language

• Fluent in spoken and written English is required.
• Fluent in spoken and written Burmese is required.

Competencies and values

VALUES: Respect for Diversity, Integrity, Professionalism and Accountability.

CORE COMPETENCIES: Communication, Collaboration and Teamwork, Judgement and Decision making, National Society and Customer Relations, Creativity and Innovation, and Building Trust.

MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES: Managing staff performance and Managing staff development.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: Strategic orientation, Building alliances, Leadership and Empowering others.