Afghanistan: Safer Acces Framework delegate Afghanistan

The Norwegian Red Cross (NorCross) has been present in the Asia Pacific Region since the 1980s, working in emergencies and development through a combination of long term bilateral partnerships and multilaterally through IFRC and ICRC. The overall objective of NorCross’ support in Asia is to reveal, prevent and alleviate human suffering and distress, and the main strategic goal is to reduce the vulnerability of communities and prevent loss of life. NorCross engages with Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies in the region in strategic partnerships that include technical programmatic support, financial support and capacity building of the organisations. In Afghanistan, the NorCross team is expanding its bilateral support to Afghanistan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) due to the increasing humanitarian needs and increasing pressure on ARCS as one of the only agencies with access in many areas. In 2016 the Afghanistan office started two large review processes in its main areas of support in Health and Logistics development. Results reflect a need to increase the operational support to ARCS based on the increasing humanitarian needs as the overall situation in the country deteriorates. Increased support in the field during the daily operations and regular response activities have been identified as key request from ARCS management.

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The purpose of the role is to strengthen ICRC support to ARCS on the application of the Safer Access Framework (SAF) in order to sustainably improve the NS’s acceptance and security, thereby contributing to increasing the overall Movement response capacity. The SAF delegate has a specific focus on advising the ICRC delegation on its capacity strengthening support on Safer Access to Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS). He / she will play a key role in promoting ways to strengthen ARCS´s operational capacity related to their access, acceptance and security, in particular operational security and risk management. The SAF delegate will also act as liaison with the Federation and other PNS and has a critical role in supporting the Movement Coordinator in maintaining ICRC – IFRC – PNS relationship in the field of National Society Development related to SAF and in promoting and actively contributing to a coordinated Movement approach to National Society Development.

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The SAF Delegate is embedded as staff member in the ICRC Cooperation Department and works closely with the Cooperation Coordinator and with other key staff in the ICRC Delegation in Afghanistan such as, the Health Care in Danger (HCiD), Health and Protection staff to promote further synergies. The SAF delegate has a contractual reporting line to NorCross Country Manager for Afghanistan and a technical reporting line to ICRC Movement Coordinator, Afghanistan.

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Responsibilities:

• Act as the ICRC resource and focal person on Safer Access Framework (SAF) matters in Afghanistan

• Ensure the SAF training and SAF priorities are reflected in the Movement partners development schemes (OCAC, BOCA and DREC) and fostering synergies between the HCiD and SAF processes with the support of the HCiD Movement advisor in Geneva

• Support the promotion of focal person of institutional learning on Safer Access integrated in ARCS at every level

• In close collaboration with the Regional SAF Advisor in KL, the HCiD, and SCMS Advisors in Geneva, and the Cooperation Coordinator in Kabul strengthening the overall capacity of Cooperation and Communication staff in the field of Safer Access and National Society Development (NSD) in areas related to the SAF

• Ensure that all NSD or capacity strengthening (CS) support we provide to the ARCS are coherent or in line with the Safer Access Framework approach and aligned with the ARCS strategy

• Strengthen impact monitoring of SAF investments and promote institutional learning

• Support ARCS SAF steering committee and staff at NHQ, regional and provincial level in their efforts to enhance and integrate SAF in institutional / strategic plans, operational set up and procedures of the organisation

• Strengthen ARCS ability to operate and respond in a safer and principled manner by maximising its access, while minimising its exposure to the risks of its personnel in responding to the needs of the population during conflict and other emergencies

• Contribute towards Partners National Societies (PNSs) and IFRC’s work towards a common RCRC Movement approach on matters linked to Safer Access

• Lead and provide relevant technical support in the application of SAF to the ARCS, ICRC and other Movement partners based on the needs and priorities of ARCS

• Contribute to the implementation of the ICRC cooperation strategy and objectives related to the SAF / CS in an advisory role

• Together with the ARCS SAF steering committee accompany and support the implementation the ARCS SAF assessment Action plan 2016-2018 (PoA) and processes (PoA) with focus on strengthening ARCS operational security and risk management activities. Establish meaningful links between the HCiD and SAF processes at country level through the mobilisation and the support of key departments (Health, Communication, FA and Protection).

• Work closely with the Regional SAF Advisor to identify meaningful ways to use Safer Access Framework to guide the Delegation’s capacity in strengthening support to ARCS

• Conduct / co-facilitate SAF assessment and planning workshops for Branches in the priority regions in Afghanistan and provide advisory support to ARCS SAF focal person at HQ level in the implementation of the SAF Branch PoA

• Provide in-country mentoring / training for ARCS, ICRC and other Movement partners staff, specifically focused on Safer Access and its application in close coordination with the Movement Coordinator and with the aim of boosting their knowledge, skills, and confidence in applying it in their capacity building work with and within the ARCS

• With the support of the Regional SAF Advisor accompany the KAB Delegation in developing suitable monitoring mechanisms and indicators to measure outcomes of SAF investment and or support of the Delegation to ARCS

• Work closely with the ARCS SAF focal person to ensure that relevant SAF elements are included in the ARCS programmes and activities such as Health, DM and or contingency planning and conflict response tools

• Provide support to the Coop Coordinator and the ARCS to ensure optimal participation in the regional roundtable discussion

• Establish an ARCS regional / provincial network of support and learning platforms among the ARCS Branches focal persons to promote exchange of learning and peer-to-peer support and exchange (such as roundtable issue discussions and learning exchanges)

• Engage with Movement partners to include and or integrate certain SAF elements into their NSD approaches

• Capture and document SAF good practices and / or select experience and submit it to Geneva for dissemination

• Work with other métiers to ensure that CB / NSD support provided to the ARCS includes and or integrates relevant SAF elements

• Provide guidance to the delegation that they ensure coherence between the ICRC contribution to the CS of the NS and development frameworks of other Movement partners (for e.g. OCAC)

• Support the Movement Coordinator in initiating, accompanying, and implementing the CS related to Safer Access

• Strengthen the capacity of both Cooperation resident staff and Delegate on Safer Access. This includes coaching and mentoring resident staff /delegates on how best to work with ARCS on Safer Access.

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Requirements and personal skills we are looking for:

• Higher education / relevant university master degree (the latter can be compensated by significant field based work experience)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in humanitarian or development sector including in highly insecure contexts
• Specialised level of knowledge in the Safer Access Framework and exposure to its application in a variety of contexts
• Operational experience in a diverse range of insecure contexts (South Asia experience beneficial)
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in working with the RCRC Movement in the areas of NS Security and Risk Management, Development, Disaster Management operations and practical application of Safer Access to the operations
• Solid knowledge on Movement mandates and roles, in particular National Society structures, systems and procedures
• Basic to intermediate knowledge of NorCross and ICRC core thematic areas
• Advanced knowledge of humanitarian fieldwork
• Proven ability to coach and mentor others to develop specific knowledge and skills
• Knowledge of IT tools and systems
• Solid understanding of security management challenges
• Strong networks with NS in countries affected by AC/OSV
• Knowledge and ability to advise on the practical application of Safer Access Framework in the structures, systems and procedures of the National Society
• Advanced innovative thinking and analytical ability
• Proficient in developing and coordinating networks and coalitions to accomplish goals
• Strong and proven communication and negotiation skills
• Proficient in oral and written English. Dari and / or Pashtu are an asset

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We offer

• A meaningful job in the world's largest humanitarian organisation
• Salary/benefits according to the Norwegian Red Cross’ salary system and relevant qualifications
• Contract period: 24 months
• Family posting: No

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Other

• Driving License Class B1 is a requirement
• The position is considered an expat position; Afghan Nationals are therefore not eligible

How to apply:

Application deadline: 15.04.2018 (Midnight Norwegian time)

Please apply through our online system: https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1212&ProjectId=143998&DepartmentId=18986&SkipAdvertisement=true

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For questions about the position please contact

Astrid Sletten, Regional Representative Asia, NorCross Astrid.sletten@redcross.no

Enza Mancuso, Cooperation Coordinator, ICRC Afghanistan: vmancuso@icrc.org