Senior disaster law officer

Vacancy No: IFRC00246

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 Disaster Law Programme (DLP) is currently represented by dedicated personnel in four of the IFRC’s Zones and in its Geneva headquarters. In Geneva, where this position will be located, the DLP is a unit of the Legal Department, within the Governance and Management Services Division.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this position is to lead the DLP’s work at headquarters to promote more effective regulation of international disaster response. This will include coordination of consultations on the potential strengthening of the global legal framework, preparations for the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and other relevant international conferences and the development of new tools, research projects and informational products. This position will also provide support on several newer areas of legal development by the DLP as well as fundraising and reporting.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Advocacy, partnership and networking:

• Coordinate a process of consultation with governmental representatives and other stakeholders on the potential for strengthening the global legal framework for international disaster response cooperation
• Coordinate consultations with diplomatic, humanitarian and other stakeholders with regard to the regulation of international disaster response (IDRL) at the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, and other relevant fora
• Build the IFRC’s network within the Movement and with external partners on the issue of IDRL
• Represent the IFRC as needed in meetings and presentations at appropriate fora
• Draft speeches, talking points and presentations for IFRC management and staff related to areas of expertise

Legal research and information products:

• Oversee the development of evidence-based informational and advocacy reports related to legal issues in international disaster response operations in support of the consultations noted above
• Support the Global DLP Coordinator in developing a revision to the IFRC’s 2007 desk study on IDRL (“Law and legal issues in international disaster response”)
• Oversee the completion of a model emergency decree on IDRL and a model regulation on international disaster response law (IDRL), including research and drafting, coordinating pro-bono support and organizing consultations, publication and dissemination of the products
• Complete drafting of a toolkit for National Societies to undertake their own IDRL technical assistance projects
• Support research in other areas of disaster law as assigned, including legal issues in nuclear accidents, first aid legislation, and legislation related to disaster volunteers.

Resource mobilization and reporting

• Support fundraising and donor reporting with regard to assigned areas of work.

Education

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in law
• Master's degree in law

Preferred:

• Specific training in an area of law relavant to humanitarian assistance and/or disaster management

Experience

Requried:

• At least 7 years of legal work experience, of which, at least 3 at the international level
• Experience in advocacy in intergovernmental fora
• Experience in project management (planning, budgeting, reporting)
• Experience in designing and providing legal trainings for non-legal

Preferred:

• Experience with high-level intergovernmental meetings
• Experience with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Knowledge, skills and languages

Required:

• Excellent understanding of key legal issues related to disaster management, humanitarian response, and recovery
• Excellent networking and communications skills
• Demonstrated legal writing and research skills
• Good understanding of disaster risk management concepts
• Fluent spoken and written English
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies and values

• Communication
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Judgement and Decision Making
• National Society and Customer Relations
• Creativity and Innovation
• Building Trust
• Strategic Orientation
• Building Alliances
• Leadership