Officer, Water and Peace

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs 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.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

The Health and Care Department’s New Strategic Direction 2023 focuses on Health Systems Strengthening and Water Systems Strengthening through 4 Pillars:

Pillar 1: Global Health Security

Pillar 2: Global Health Protection (UHC)

Pillar 3: Global Water Security

Pillar 4: Transformative Partnership

The 4 Pillars under Health Systems Strengthening and WASH Systems Strengthening are supported by 4 Enablers:

Enabler 1: Health and Care Department Re-designing

Enabler 2: IFRC Regional and Country Health Infrastructure

Enabler 3: National Society Leadership on Health and WASH

Enabler 4: Digital Solutions and Data

The Water Systems Strengthening Unit is in the process of finalizing its strategic direction for 2024-2030 and is launching a revised proposal that integrates new concepts and focus areas into the traditional water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) agenda, encompassing preparedness, emergency response, development, and coordination. This revised strategic direction introduces the overarching concept of water security and the approach of water systems strengthening to build a more robust water sector and more resilient communities.

Job Purpose

(…Continued from Organizational Context)

Water security, a strategic imperative, addresses the multifaceted objectives of water as a resource, encompassing numerous aspects of human development. It serves as a unifying concept that aligns with global development and resilience goals, including health, climate change adaptation, livelihoods, healthy ecosystems, economic growth, and peace. This strategic focus highlights our commitment to forward-thinking and aligns our efforts with global goals, reinforcing the significant impact of our proposed changes and instilling confidence in our shared vision.

Key Focus Areas:

1. Safe Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: Ensuring reliable access to safe water, sanitation services, and hygiene promotion across humanitarian, development, and peace initiatives, contributing to healthy communities.
2. Water, Climate Change, and Adaptation: Building resilient communities capable of adapting to climate change, reducing risks from water-related natural disasters, and minimizing the impact of future disasters.
3. Urban and Periurban Water Security: Partnering with water facilities to enhance water management and services, fostering water-sensitive cities.
4. Water and Livelihoods: Promoting the productive use of water to sustain food security, agriculture, nutrition, education, and gender equity, thereby empowering communities.
5. Environmental Water Management: Ensuring healthy and reliable rivers and aquifers for sustainable service delivery, supporting healthy ecosystems.
6. Water and Peace: Promoting water security as a means to achieve stability and peace, fostering stable communities.

This position is based in Geneva and will play a pivotal role in ensuring a comprehensive understanding of water security and a holistic approach to water availability and management. By integrating our key focus areas, the Water Systems Strengthening Officer will address all water-related needs in communities, significantly impacting lives and contributing to global development and resilience goals.

Job Purpose

Under the guidance of the Manager, WASH Systems Strengthening, the Water and Peace Officer will design, develop, and scale up the Water, Peace and Security file. The IFRC started working on this sector and launched the file in 2023 to respond to increasing calls to prevent and reduce water-related instability and conflict.

The incumbent will also provide technical guidance for the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the Water, Peace and Security file.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Support the Water and Peace Program’s global strategic, policy, and partnership aspects.

• Support the strategic, policy, and partnership aspects of the Water and Peace Program at the global level.
• Establish and reinforce IFRC technical standards, tools, and approaches for the water and peace focus area.
• Assist in the implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting strategies at the global level in collaboration with country/regional staff and global technical teams.
• Provide technical support for the preparation of project reports (both narrative and financial) for regions, countries, and HQ.
• Co-lead, participate in, and strengthen the Water and Peace global group.
• Maintain regular technical coordination and strong working relationships with relevant IFRC Regional Offices, country clusters/country delegations, and National Societies.
• Build national and regional capacity in water and peace initiatives.
• Develop and establish new partnerships with stakeholders such as inter-governmental and governmental institutions, private sector, civil society, and others to achieve project results and scale up the program.
• Participate in regional peace and water events and peace forums to showcase our work, foster partnerships, and secure additional funding and capacity.

Advance the work and position of IFRC on Water Cooperation and Peace.

• Expand and enhance the Water and Peace Program in the MENA region and other global regions, securing additional partners and resources.
• Provide support to set up and expand water cooperation initiatives in other regions.
• Develop unique instruments and tools tailored for water and peace initiatives within the IFRC framework.
• Lead global capacity-building efforts related to water and peace across all regions.
• Negotiate partnerships with donors focused on water and peace initiatives.
• Participate at global water and peace events and forums, showcasing our work and seeking new partnerships and funding opportunities.
• Support the development of proposals and explore partnership opportunities to mobilize resources for scaling up the Water Cooperation program.
• Analyze opportunities for scaling and replicating the program’s approach in different contexts, countries, and regions.
• Coordinate with National Societies and IFRC regional staff to build and maintain a comprehensive Water Cooperation and Peace portfolio.

Contribute to an effective, high-Level IFRC Water Systems Strengthening (WSS) team.

• Be accountable to the IFRC Geneva WSS Manager by providing progress reports on results against objectives and risk analyses.
• Foster a customer service-oriented culture that values proactivity, continuous improvement, innovation, high performance, and cost-effectiveness.
• Foster a collaborative working environment with colleagues in the IFRC Secretariat, Regions, National Societies, and external partners.
• Contribute and support the IFRC Geneva WSS team as needed and join IFRC Geneva team meetings.
• Contribute to the overall planning, budgeting, and reporting of the IFRC Geneva team and the department.
• Be available to deploy to Regions, Country Offices, or Operations to provide support as necessary.

Duties applicable to all staff:

1. Work actively towards the achievement of the IFRC Secretariat’s goals.
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education

Required

• University degree in climate change, environmental sustainability, disaster risk reduction, water management, or related field.

Preferred

• Master’s degree or similar in conflict, peace issues, water diplomacy, climate, disaster risk reduction, water management, or a related field.

Experience

Required

• 3-5 years of work experience in water management, water diplomacy, climate change adaptation, early warning, early action, locally led adaptation, water management, or related work.
• 3-5 years of experience in program/project management, grant management, or related field.
• Experience managing partner and resource development relations in the context of humanitarian and/or development programs.
• Experience working in an international or cross-cultural environment.

Preferred

• Experience working in the humanitarian or development sector, with developing countries and/or with an international organization.
• Experience working in a RC/RC National Society and/or Federation/ICRC/Climate Centre/Livelihoods Center.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Fluent in spoken and written English.
• Program/project management.
• Knowledge of water management.
• Knowledge of water as a driver for cooperation.
• Results-oriented and demand-driven individual, entrepreneurial, and has the ability to lead in unprecedented and/or ambiguous situations.
• Demonstrated track record in innovating, contributing to a learning culture, and sharing knowledge and new approaches to engaging partners.
• Energetic and enthusiastic individual, engaging, brokering, and facilitating learning and dialogue among diverse groups.
• Professional credibility, able to work effectively at all levels across the organization.
• Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality.
• High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment.

Preferred

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.

Application Instruction

Please submit your application in English only.