Disaster law coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa

City/location:

Beirut

Organization:

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 189 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 IFRC’s Disaster Law Programme (DLP) promotes legal approaches to disaster management that make communities safer, humanitarian relief more effective and recovery stronger. It provides expert advice to National Societies and governments, undertakes legal research and fosters discussion and learning about the development of disaster law. The Programme operates under the mandates provided to the IFRC secretariat at the 28th, 30th and 31st International Conferences of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and in the IFRC’s Strategy 2020. While the Disaster Law Coordinator for MENA will have responsibility for promoting disaster law activities throughout the MENA Zone, . In addition, the Disaster Law Coordinator for MENA will support the Disaster Law Coordinator for Africa in undertaking projects in the Sahel region, as his/her schedule permits. The Disaster Law Coordinator has a managerial reporting line to MENA Zone Disaster Management Coordinator and a technical reporting line to the Global Disaster Law Programme Coordinator in Geneva. S/he works in close collaboration with other Zone Units, regional representatives and country offices as well as with National Societies in the region. The Coordinator forms an integral part of the IFRC’s global Disaster Law Programme team.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this position is to plan, coordinate, manage and oversee the implementation of the IFRC’s work on disaster law in the MENA Zone in accordance with the MENA Disaster Management Long Term Planning Framework (2012-2015) and the biannual Disaster Law Programme Operational Plan (currently the 2014-15 plan, available at www.ifrc.org/dl) and in cooperation with responsible IFRC representatives at the country and regional level. This position will also support the Disaster Law Coordinator for Africa with projects in the Sahel region of Africa.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities

Support the development of the biannual Global Disaster Law Programme Operational Plan and budget from the point of view of MENA.
Coordinate, manage and oversee the implementation of the Operational Plan in the MENA region as part of the wider MENA Zone Disaster Management Plan.
Manage the MENA Disaster Law Programme budget in accordance with agreed sign-off and reporting requirements.
Recruit and supervise consultants and interns as needed.
Support senior representatives of the IFRC and of National Societies in negotiations with high-level officials on disaster law issues.

Duties

Support National Societies to provide technical assistance on strengthening disaster law to relevant authorities, in particular through the initiation and timely implementation of high-quality country-level technical support projects.
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.
Develop and implement regional advocacy and dissemination strategies on disaster law. Develop and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders such as RC/RC, States, UN, IOs, regional organisations, NGOs and academic institutions in the MENA region. Activities include the dissemination and information-sharing activities, delivering presentations at meetings and conferences, cultivating a regional pool of experts on disaster law issues encouraging inter-governmental and regional forums to take note of and use the IDRL Guidelines and other Disaster Law Programme products, and drafting articles and papers.
Mobilize resources for disaster law work in the Zone. Maintain strong communication with current program donors, in particular ECHO and Norwegian Red Cross, and support the development of additional funds. Submit funding proposals and report on the implementation of the program, as required.
Provide support to the Disaster Law Programme Coordinator for Africa for selected projects in countries of the Sahel region
Provide support on behalf of the region to global Disaster Law Programme activities, including but not limited to:
- regional preparations on disaster law aspects of the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent,
- development of new comparative research on legal issues in disaster management, including with regard to disaster risk reduction and recovery,
- participation in the development of global technical assistance and capacity building products, such as models, guides and manuals,
- cooperation in the development of communications tools, such as the programme’s newsletters, reports and videos, and events,
- donor reporting and resource mobilization.

Education

Bachelor of Laws and advanced degree, at least one of which must be in law and the other in a related field - Required
Impact Training - Preferred

Experience

At least 7 years of legal work experience in a related area - Required
At least 3 years of experience in project management - Required
At least 3 years relevant work experience in the MENA region - Preferred
Experience in disaster management/humanitarian response - Required
Experience in legal/academic writing and drafting - Required
Experience in providing technical assistance in the development of legislation, including in developing countries - Required
Experience in providing technical assistance in the development of legislation, including in developing countries - Required
Experience within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – Preferred
Knowledge, skills and languages
Sound knowledge and understanding of international and national law and policy-making processes - Required
Good understanding of disaster preparedness and management concepts - Required
Good understanding of the global humanitarian system - Required
Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written - Require
Fluent spoken and written English - Require
Fluent spoken and written French and Arabic - Preferred