Function and job description
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Regional Delegation for the United States and Canada
Resident position based in Washington D.C
(Only US citizens or Green Card holders will be considered)
FUNCTION: Policy Advisor
DEPARTMENT: Policy Team
Place of employment: Washington
DIRECT SUPERIOR: Head of Policy
Policy Advisor
FUNCTION DESCRIPTION:
The Policy Advisor will be an integral member of the ICRC’s policy team in Washington, DC. She/he will be expected to do the following:
· Represent the ICRC with the US government and other important stakeholders in the US and Canada;
· Lead the delegation’s work on a select portfolio of humanitarian policy issues in collaboration with relevant teams, delegation management and the global file holders;
· Develop and maintain an active network of contacts in the US government relevant to the policy advisor’s portfolio;
· Provide support to global policy file holders of relevance and other relevant ICRC staff; and
· Contribute to briefing packages and speaking points for ICRC principals.
The ICRC: The International Committee of the Red Cross is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. The ICRC also endeavors to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles.
Policy Team: The Policy Department aims to raise awareness of the ICRC’s main field operations, further the ICRC’s global humanitarian diplomacy priorities in Washington DC and create opportunities for collaboration in support of the ICRC’s humanitarian goals. Further, this department advises Delegation management as well as senior leaders of the organization on US policy affecting ICRC’s mission and programming. The position is in the Washington DC office; there may be some domestic and international travel.
Minimum required knowledge & experience:
At least, 5 – 8 years of professional experience in foreign policy, international relations or a related field
Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations, Political Science or a Related Field; Masters or JD a plus
Strong analytical, writing, presentation and interpersonal skills
Background in humanitarian/ development policy a plus but not required
Experience working on foreign policy issues in the US government, including Congress, a plus
Policy experience working on digitalization and impact on humanitarian action a plus
JOB DESCRIPTION
Main Responsibilities
1. Strategy Development and Positioning: The policy advisor will be responsible for developing the delegation’s influencing strategies and positioning the ICRC on a portfolio of humanitarian policy issues, including: the impact of digitalization on humanitarian action; select country operations; and other humanitarian policy issues as requested by the team management. This is done in coordination with respective managers, global policy file holders, the ICRC’s management in country operations, and other internal stakeholders.
2. Monitoring and Reporting on US Policy: The policy advisor will be responsible for proactively monitoring and reporting on policy issues within his/her portfolio to respective file holders in headquarters, policy capitals and delegation management as appropriate. The policy advisor will also be expected to support the policy team’s management in analyzing and reporting on significant US foreign policy and national security developments.
3. Networking: The policy advisor will be expected to develop and maintain a network relevant to her/his contacts inside the US government and other important stakeholders. She/he will be expected to communicate institutional messages and materials to their network as relevant to their files, and occasionally arrange high level meetings for ICRC principals to advance institutional priorities.
Management and Reporting Line. The Policy Advisor reports to the Head of Policy. She/he is expected to collaborate with colleagues on the policy team, and throughout the delegation in order to carry out these and other reasonably related duties.
Our Diversity Commitment. The ICRC is committed to creating a diverse, multicultural environment and strongly encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ to apply.
Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to Marcia Wong at mwong@icrc.org. Deadline for applications is July 31st. The ICRC will accept applications on a rolling basis. Ideal start time: ASAP.
