Consultant for ASEAN Humanitarian Diplomacy Brief

Purpose of project background

The IFRC South-East Asia regional delegation serves 11 National Societies in Southeast Asia. Ten of the countries where the National Societies are situated, are also member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in addition to Timor-Leste.

Over the past several years, technical cooperation between the ASEAN secretariat and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management has been increasing. The collaboration is both mutually beneficial and impactful; from the emergency operation during Cyclone Nargis in 2008, to events such as ASEAN’s disaster emergency response simulation exercise (DIREx) in Indonesia (2011), Viet Nam and Thailand (2013), to continuous engagement between the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and the ASEAN partnership group sessions - both of which take place on an annual basis.

In an effort to support the ongoing collaboration between both organisations, the IFRC South-East Asia regional delegation is commissioning an ASEAN-humanitarian diplomacy plan for National Societies. The following concept note outlines the motivation for the plan, as well as its specific objectives.

ASEAN and the Cooperation Framework

The Association of Southeast Asia Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined in 1984, Viet Nam in 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar IN 1997 and Cambodia in 1999.

In 2008, with strong momentum from the National Societies in the region, the IFRC Southeast Asia regional delegation engaged in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding ASEAN and the IFRC. The overall objective being to solidify the relationship, strengthen and formalise coordination between both the IFRC and ASEAN.

Through a subsequent consultation process with the ASEAN secretariat, the Memorandum was developed into a Cooperation Framework in 2012. The Framework recognises not only the similar mandate and vision of both organisations, but as well the need for both parties to work more closely and in a more coordinated manner at a technical level in the areas of emergency health and disaster management. This is particularly relevant given ASEAN’s Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response Plan (AADMER), which outlines the need for ASEAN member States to undertake cooperation activities to increase preparedness and mitigate disasters. While this technical cooperation is increased, it also reinforces the auxiliary role of National Societies, since they can be recognised for their contribution based on their auxiliary status with public authorities in the humanitarian field.

Project objectives

The IFRC South-East regional delegation is commissioning an ASEAN-humanitarian diplomacy plan for National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the region. With an overall approach focusing on the increased high-level dialogue between National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and their respective ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives, the plan should serve as a strategic guidance document with specific objectives as outlined below:

The pre-final report should be delivered for a regional resilience workshop with disaster risk reduction and humanitarian diplomacy focal points in the region in mid-January 2015. A final version of the report should be summarised and presented at the Red Cross Red Crescent Southeast Asia Leadership meeting in Phnom Penh the final week of February 2015.

Overall method: Engagement in a stronger high-level dialogue between the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and their respective ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives;

The specific objectives of the HD ASEAN plan:

-Strengthen understanding and engagement with ASEAN on the auxiliary role of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies;
-Institutionalize technical cooperation between the ASEAN and the Red Cross Red Crescent at both a national and regional level;
-Strengthen existing efforts to sign the Cooperation Framework between the IFRC and ASEAN.
-Provide a guidance to National Societies on planning for engagement with their respective counterparts based on existing events/meetings in 2015-2016.

Desired outcomes and outputs:

A review on the ASEAN structure including an identification of the ASEAN permanent representatives for each 10 countries in Southeast Asia. The review should also provide an overview on past engagement between the IFRC and ASEAN, as well as the roles and responsibilities of ASEAN institutions and ASEAN decision making procedures, and relevant focal points for the RCRC. Delivery Date "TBC".
Humanitarian diplomacy recommendations focusing on methods to support the outlined objectives.

Specifics to include:

1) Developing an HD plan focusing on key meetings for engagement in 2015-2016 including budget recommendations;
2) Relevant documentation on the auxiliary status
3) Background documents relevant for meetings and briefings with ASEAN permanent member states
4) other recommendations as identified by the consultant or IFRC as the project evolves. Submission Date “TBC”

Qualifications, experience and skills required:

• Strong background in working with or for ASEAN in some regard
• Prefer understanding the Movement
• Map out how ASEAN works and point RCRC in the right direction
• Experience or understanding of ASEAN that is critical.

Reports to: Regional Communication and Advocacy Manager