S04349
Consultant
05-Sep-2023
22-Aug-2023
GLOBAL Different Locations
Global
3 months
Consultant, Not Applicable
Organizational Context
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is an international organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland on the basis of a status agreement executed with the Swiss Federal Council. The Federation serves the world’s largest humanitarian network of 191 National Red Cross Red Crescent Societies and over 17 million volunteers that act before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.
IFRC Country Delegation (CD) Pakistan is present in Pakistan since 1978 and acts as the secretariat for the Pakistan Red Crescent Society and supports the NS in its role as the operational lead, responsible for managing the implementation of a disaster response operation in a crisis or emergency situation. Upon the onset of a disaster, PRCS shall closely monitor the situation and share timely and comprehensive information with IFRC CO Pakistan. If required, PRCS can request international assistance through the IFRC CD, whilst ensuring the implementation of the operational strategy in line with IFRC policy and international commitments.
The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) was founded on December 20, 1947, through an Order called “The Pakistan Red Cross Order” issued by Quaid-e-Azam, as Governor General of Pakistan and the Founding President of the Society. With its National Headquarters in the Federal Capital Islamabad, the Society has Branches in all five Provinces, one regional branch in the Tribal Districts of KP (erstwhile FATA), the Federal Capital Territory of Islamabad Branch and the State Branch of AJ&K. Through these branches, and 92 district level branches the PRCS coordinates its field operations. This vast network is managed through a dedicated team of staff and volunteers drawn from a wide cross-section of society.
The status of the National Society has recently been recognized by the Pakistan Government as a statutory body constituted through an Act of Parliament in 1920, and an amended act in 1974. The official letter issued by the Ministry of Economic Affairs does clarify that PRCS is not an NGO, and therefore would be allowed to seek and utilise funds for poverty alleviation programmes in Pakistan.
As an auxiliary body to the government, PRCS shall liaise closely with government departments and participate in relevant forums/events, or request IFRC to represent PRCS in any inter-agency coordination events and the cluster system at the national level. The involvement of youth and volunteers plays a pivotal role in the implementation of on-ground activities and in maintaining strong linkages and regular communication with the targeted communities. Currently, PRCS has a base of 1.8 million volunteers countrywide, and with this initiative, they aim to take this volunteer base to 5 million.
The overall targets in the CD plan and activities in 2023 will contribute to PRCS’ endeavours in reaching out to the most vulnerable. It will further enhance the capacities of PRCS for better preparedness and effective response. This IFRC operational plan will also contribute to the IFRC S2030, the Agenda for Renewal and the IFRC global strategy focusing on policy and advocacy, community, and emergency health as well as the WASH component. The CD country plan is a living document and will give us an opportunity to amend based on needs and circumstances, and will help us to be relevant, and efficient and to have a greater impact based on the localization agenda.
Job Purpose
Pakistan experienced its worst floods in decades triggered by the unprecedented monsoon rainfall from mid-June until the end of September 2022. Compared to the national 30-year average, the monsoon brought nearly three times more rainfall, affecting over 33 million people and leaving 20.6 million in need of assistance. Despite the slowly receding water levels, the emergency continues in parts of the country. Beyond the vast immediate needs, the magnitude of essential recovery support is becoming apparent, given the large-scale destruction of homes, crops, and livelihoods. Contaminated water supplies, poor living conditions, and inaccessible healthcare are also giving rise to a public health crisis on a massive scale.
The IFRC continues to facilitate a Federation-wide approach for coordinated assistance with in-country participating National Societies (PNS) including the German Red Cross (GRC), Norwegian Red Cross (NorCross), Turkish Red Crescent Society (TRCS), effectively utilizing the Red Cross and Red Crescent resources and existing expertise to ensure critical gaps are covered for when millions are requiring aid.
In coordination with the IFRC NSDOC team in Geneva, CD teams in Pakistan, Colombia and Philippines and their National Societies, the consultant will assist the IFRC in planning the advancement of LSA approval process with Pakistan, Colombia and Philippines, developing step by step guidelines for obtaining LSA for Heads of Delegation, assisting on resolutions for IC and CoD, and assisting on white paper for the reference centers.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
1. Advancing IFRC LSA
- The IFRC, "auxiliaries to the public authorities in the humanitarian field", is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland on the basis of a treaty concluded with the Swiss Federal Council. This Headquarters Agreement explicitly recognizes the "international legal personality" of the IFRC and grants the IFRC a legal Capacity in Switzerland with privileges and immunities similar to other international organizations such as the United Nations.
- The IFRC has to date concluded over 90 such agreements recognizing its status and that of its delegations. Pakistan, Colombia and Philippines are some of the countries where the legal status of the IFRC and its delegation have not been formalized.
- The IFRC Pakistan Country Delegation was first established in 1978. The IFRC has ever since supported the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in disaster preparedness, Health and care programmes, and response operations to different kinds of crises, small and major. The IFRC works with PRCS is the capacity enhancement of the national society and the Organizational Development and Branch Development, Youth Development, Volunteer Recruitment and Retention, just to name a few.
- To further enhance the support to the PRCS and its operations, the IFRC, therefore, is seeking the formalization of its legal status in Pakistan, including the granting of operational facilities required to carry out its mandate in support of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society and disaster relief, recovery and preparedness activities in Pakistan. The facilities requested by the IFRC are fully set out in the draft agreement submitted for the consideration of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan by the Pakistan Red Crescent Society.
- Additionally, to enhance the support to the Colombian Red Cross and Philippine Red Cross and their operations, the IFRC, therefore, is seeking the formalization of its legal status in Colombia and Philippines.
- The Consultant will assist IFRC Heads of Delegation in planning the advancement of LSA with Pakistan, Colombia and Philippines.
2. Developing Guidelines for Obtaining LSA
- IFRC has five regional offices in Panama, Nairobi, Beirut, Budapest and Kuala Lumpur to help strengthen and improve regional cooperation between National Societies.
- IFRC has more than 50 country/country cluster support offices worldwide to support National Societies with their programmes and organizational development.
- At the moment, IFRC has 191 member National Societies. While, IFRC has to date concluded over 90 agreements recognizing its status and that of its delegations.
- The task of the consultant is to develop step by step guidelines for the Heads of Delegation for obtaining LSA with the host country.
3. Assisting on IC and CoD Resolutions
- The Consultant will assist IFRC NSDOC team in Geneva on IC and CoD Resolutions.
4. Assisting on White Paper for the Reference Centres
- The Consultant will assist IFRC NSDOC team in Geneva on White paper for the Reference Centres.
Education
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in law or in a similar, relevant area.
- Master of International Law or equivalent.
Experience
Required
- Previous experience working for the IFRC.
- Relevant experience in international diplomacy/advocacy (5 years at least).
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
Required
- Fluently spoken and written English.
- Fluently spoken and written Urdu.
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 Instructions
- Please submit your application in English only.
- Please include in your motivation letter your availability and your current Daily Fee Rate in CHF.
IFRC values equal opportunity, diversity and inclusivity. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, nationality, class, political opinions, ethnic or social origin, disability, religion, or belief.
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