Jordan: Regional Durable Solutions Advisor

May 14, 2018 | International Rescue Committee
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The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education and power. The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Inside Syria, 6.1 million people are internally displaced and 13.1 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 2.1 million in hard-to-reach areas. There are 5.6 million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair. IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis. With an annual budget in excess of $140 million and an expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1,800 staff in the region, IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and Iraq as well as in refugee-hosting countries of Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, education, women’s protection and empowerment, cash assistance, and livelihoods programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination. Job Overview/Summary: The Regional Durable Solutions Advisor will be a key member of the Middle East regional team responsible for supporting IRC country programs in the Middle East to identify, design and implement activities that contribute to durable solutions for people displaced by conflict in  Syria and Iraq, including refugees, IDPs  and host communities. This role will actively engage with other organizations to explore ways to promote durable solutions through programming and advocacy, providing guidance and support as useful. 

Key objectives for this role include:

  • Ensuring regional and country programs have a clear understanding of durable solutions for refugees;
  • Working with the country programs to develop a strategy and detailed plan for advocacy and programming goals around durable solutions
  • Ensure IRC ME is well-represented in key durable solutions platforms and that information is shared with relevant regional and country program colleagues
  • This position will be located in the Middle East regional office in Amman or in Beirut – with significant travel to Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon in particular.
 

Major Responsibilities:

Working with country programs to:
  • Map current programming that has the potential to contribute to durable solutions for both IDPs and refugees. Work collaboratively with IRC Technical Units to map relevant theories of change against pathways to durable solutions. Develop a measurement framework to track and analyze success.
  • Provide training and guidance to IRC and relevant partner staff on how programming and advocacy can mutually support beneficiaries’ preparedness for durable solutions.
  • Train staff and act as a resource for country programs and partners about durable solutions programming, including providing advice on program design and integration of global standards outlined in the IASC Durable Solutions Framework and UNHCR Refugee and Protection Mixed Migration: A 10 Point Plan of Action.
  • Support the project design/planning processes for Middle East country programs to ensure programming addresses and is responsive to the changing needs of displaced populations, especially related to livelihood and protection programming that builds greater resilience.
  • Lead IRC Middle East efforts to integrate programming across borders and facilitate the provision of portable services across IRC locations and sectors. For example, promote quality IRC support in protection, ERD, education and ECD, and civil documentation in ways that provide a consistent and sustained engagement of clients.
  • Serve as IRC liaison to the regional Durable Solutions Platform (DSP). Ensure that IRC is represented consistently and effectively in the various durable solutions working groups and fora at various levels.
  • Support country programs in developing SAP implementation plans which include focused considerations for durable solution in each context. This includes working to prepare contingency plans for responding to population movements.
  • Engage with Syrian, Iraqi and other local partner organizations to understand operational and contextual realities, challenges and opportunities, as well as their perceptions of and ideas about durable solutions.
  • Collaborate with partner organizations as appropriate in the development of strategies and approaches to inform program design and advocacy messaging that promotes durable solutions.
  • Collaborate closely with the Middle East advocacy and communications staff to shape messaging and activities related to durable solutions.
  • Support the IRC regional office and country programs to identify funding opportunities to support durable solutions work and, in coordination with country programs, develop strategic donor relationships. Ensure proposals incorporate a durable solutions lens where appropriate.     
 

Key Working Relationships:

  • Direct Reporting: Deputy Regional Director, Middle East Region
  • Partnership and Consultation:Regional Partnership Director, DDXB/Ps, Director of Advocacy and Communications, country program advocates
  • External Contacts:  DSP Advisory Group, Syria Regional Durable Solutions Working Group; Iraq Durable Solutions planning and coordination bodies; relevant public donor agencies and policymakers

Job Requirements:

  • Education: Bachelor’s Degree required; post-graduate degree is a plus; background in humanitarian assistance
  • Work Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in the humanitarian sector
  • Field Experience: At least 2 years programming experience in humanitarian settings.
 

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

  • Demonstrated expertise in durable solutions
  • Strong understanding of humanitarian programming and aid system architecture
  • Proven success with program design, proposal development and funding acquisition
  • Demonstrated capacity to effectively engage and collaborate with local government and civil society actors toward common objectives
  • Self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to develop positive relationships with local and remote team members at multiple levels in the organization
  • Ability to work successfully independently and with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams
  • Excellent  oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to apply analytical thinking to evidenced, justified recommendations
  • Experience in Syria and Iraq region desirable
Language Skills: Proficiency in English required; Arabic a plus. Working Environment: Standard office work environment, travel up to 50% depending on location base The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation. Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances Work Environment: This is a national position preferably based in Jordan or Lebanon. The role requires some travel to Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Turkey and other locations as necessary. Returning National Candidates:  We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a national of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Syria Response Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.