Disaster law coordinator

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 190 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the World’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. 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.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity of the International Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency; coordination and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the RCRC Movement; and expanding engagement with partners. The Secretariat’s headquarters is organized in three main business groups: (i) Partnerships, including Movement and Membership; (ii) Programs and Operations; and (iii) Management. The Secretariat has five regional office, as follows: Americas (Panama City); Africa (Nairobi); Asia/Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); Middle East and North Africa (Beirut). The Disaster Law Programme (DLP) for Africa forms an integrated part of the Disaster and Crisis Unit in the Africa Regional Office and will work in close collaboration with other Regional Units as well as country support offices in Africa, as well as with Disaster Law Programme staff in Geneva.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Head, Disaster and Crisis Prevention, Response and Recovery (DCPRR), Africa Region and the Geneva Legislative Advocacy Coordinator, the Disaster Law Coordinator for Africa works towards reducing the vulnerability and suffering of people affected by disasters by raising awareness of the importance of legal preparedness for disasters and offering services such as advocacy, technical assistance, training and research.

The major DLP objectives are to:

1. Improve legislation and normative instruments on disaster risk management
2. Strengthen regional and global systems for disaster risk management
3. Improve the management of IDRL issues in disaster operations
4. Establish expanded and permanent capacity of the RC/RC in disaster law
5. Grow the international knowledge base and toolkit on key disaster law issues
6. Achieve appropriate visibility for disaster law issues, particularly in humanitarian and academic fora

Activities are carried out together with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and in close collaboration with other major stakeholders such as States, the United Nations, the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities and other regional organisations concerned with disaster management.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Duties

• Development, management and implementation of the Disaster Law Work Plan for Africa, in accordance with the African Disaster and Crisis Work plan and budget as well as the Global Disaster Law Programme plan and budget.
• Management of the Disaster Law Programme for Africa budget in accordance with agreed sign-off and reporting requirements.
• Recruitment and supervision of Africa Disaster Law Programme staff, consultants and interns.

Key tasks

• Provide technical assistance on strengthening national legal preparedness to governments, in particular through the initiation and implementation of DLP technical support projects.
• Provide technical assistance to National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and/or national authorities in the drafting of disaster related legislation.
• Undertake capacity building of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on legal issues in disaster response through the conduct of trainings and workshops on disaster law and legislative advocacy and supporting the development of a capacity building manual and other materials.
• Develop strong partnerships with the AU, RECs and other international partners in promoting effective disaster law.
• Draft articles, papers, newsletter content and other materials on legal preparedness issues and support global DLP research projects with information from the Africa Zone.
• Advocate for legal preparedness and dissemination of legal and policy instruments through the development of partnership with key stakeholders such as RC/RC, States, UN, IOs, regional organisations, NGOs and academic institutions. Activities include the conduct of dissemination and information-sharing activities, delivering presentations at meetings and conferences, and encouraging inter-governmental and regional forums to take note of and use the IDRL Guidelines.
• Cultivate a regional pool of experts on disaster law issues.
• Develop strong partnerships with program donors. Submit funding proposals and report on the implementation of the program, as required.

Education

Bachelor degree in law (LLB) or other relevant topic

Masters degree or equivalent in law

Experience

At least 7 years of legal work experience in a related area

At least 3 years’ experience in project  management

Demonstrated experience in legal/policy and field research

Demonstrated experience in legal/academic writing and drafting

Experience working in an international environment, preferably with the UN system or similar organisation

Experience within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Experience working in Africa in the development or humanitarian field

Knowledge, skills and languages

Good knowledge and understanding of international and national law and policy-making processes

Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written

Good understanding of disaster preparedness and response concepts

Strong organisational skills, methodical and logical approach to tasks and problem solving

Ability to organise, analyse and synthesise large amounts of information

Good diplomatic, protocol skills and ability to work with senior officials

Sound knowledge of Microsoft Office applications

Fluently spoken and written English

Excellent command of French

Competencies and values

Communication

Collaboration and Teamwork

Judgement and Decision Making

National Society and Customer Relations

Creativity and Innovation

Building Trust