Thailand: ICVA REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN ASIA

Founded in 1962, ICVA (International Council of Voluntary Agencies) is a global network of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that work collectively and with other humanitarian stakeholders to promote and facilitate NGO engagement in the humanitarian sector and its policies.

NGOs form a vital pillar in the international humanitarian community. However, despite implementing the majority of humanitarian work, NGOs often find themselves excluded from key decision-making structures and processes. Increased NGO contribution in these structures and processes could directly benefit affected populations, closing the gap between field realities and global policies.

By strengthening NGO engagement in the development of the humanitarian sector, ICVA aims to positively shape the future of humanitarian assistance, promoting more collective, principled and effective action.

Based on its 2015-2018 Strategy, ICVA promotes and facilitates NGO engagement and partnership with a variety of actors and bodies (e.g. IASC, UN agencies, donors, members states, international and political bodies, and emerging players), with a key focus on:

• Forced Displacement

• Humanitarian Partnership

• Humanitarian Coordination

• Humanitarian Financing

While historically based in Geneva, ICVA, in 2013 expanded its presence to Asia, MENA and Africa looking at:

• Ensuring closer proximity with its members in those regions;

• Expanding representation to regional or international humanitarian and political bodies and actors present in those regions. Developing stronger links between field realities and global policies;

ICVA’s office in Bangkok was the first ICVA regional hub opened in July 2013.

Objective

ICVA’s Regional Representative in Asia is the representative of the ICVA network in the region. She/he is responsible for management and implementation, in Asia, of ICVA’s Strategy based on ICVA’s Asia Work Plan, and participates in the overall development of the organization.

Organizational Setting

• ICVA’s Regional Representative in Asia reports to the Director of Partnership and Policy based in Geneva.

• She/he supervises a team of 1 to 3 people based in Bangkok strengthening ICVA’s capacity in analysis and representation.

• She/he works in parallel with the Senior Policy Officers based in Geneva and the other Regional Representatives, along with the Communication Officer and the Director of Finance and Administration and her team.

Responsibilities

Programmes:

• Ensure and expand ICVA’s representation to key humanitarian and political actors in Asia in line with ICVA 2015-2018 strategy;

• Promote and facilitate ICVA member/NGO engagement in ICVA’s activities:

o Provide ICVA members/NGOs with information and analysis about humanitarian policies and key humanitarian/political actors in the region;

o Collect and echo ICVA member/NGO voices to influence humanitarian policies and key humanitarian/political actors in the region;

o Facilitate dialogue between ICVA member/NGO and key humanitarian/political actors in the region.

• Maintain and develop ICVA’s network in the region.

• Coordinate and implement ICVA specific projects in the region.

• Coordinate and organize ICVA’s events in the region (workshops, webinars, conferences, etc.);

• Maintain an overview of humanitarian crises in the region, and if deemed required, undertake a response to a humanitarian crisis in the region within the frame of ICVA’s mission.

Policies:

• Monitor, analyze and keep abreast of the latest humanitarian policy developments, specific to the region and in line with ICVA’s strategic priorities;

• Produce analysis and briefing documents on humanitarian situations and policy development for ICVA members and other stakeholders;

• Participate in defining ICVA’s perspectives and positions on global humanitarian issues.

Communication:

• Coordinate the implementation in the region of the global ICVA communication strategy, as developed by ICVA’s communication officer;

• Increase ICVA profile in the region (especially ICVA’s mission and work);

• Represent ICVA in the region and relay ICVA perspectives and positions on key humanitarian issues.

Membership:

• Promote ICVA members’ engagement in ICVA’s activities;

• Support the implementation of ICVA’s membership strategy in Asia;

• Chair ICVA’s Regional Advisory Group (RAG).

ICVA’s planning and vision:

• Contribute to the further development of ICVA’s vision and strategic directions;

• Participate in planning and preparation of the budget and work plan;

• Oversee ICVA’s Asia hub administration (finance, HR, etc.).

Qualifications and Requirements

Education:

• Advanced university degree in humanitarian assistance, international relations, political sciences, or related academic field;

• Specific training/diploma in advocacy, representation, and/or coordination is a plus.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years’ work experience in the area of humanitarian action and policy (and with NGOs), and/or any field relevant to this position;

• Demonstrable overseas field experience as a humanitarian practitioner;

• Demonstrable experience in representation and advocacy;

• Demonstrable experience in influencing external partners;

• Demonstrable experience in interacting with networks;

• Demonstrable experience in working in remote management set-up.

• Professional experience in Asia is an added value.

Knowledge

• Excellent knowledge of the international humanitarian context including current humanitarian policy issues (especially related to ICVA’s strategic priorities);

• Knowledge of specific humanitarian issues in Asia is a plus.

Competencies and skills:

• Understanding of ICVA’s mission and NGO contribution to the humanitarian sector.

• Proven ability to work autonomously.

• Proven ability to work in team.

• Proven ability to manage a small team.

• Proven ability to work under pressure and be flexible, including the ability to cope with deadlines, multiple tasks, and competing and changing demands; and who sets her/himself and others challenging, but realistic targets.

• Well-developed communication, presentation and representational skills appropriate for different audiences, including the ability to influence people.

• Quick analytical thinker who understands contextual developments and refers to the (potential) implications for ICVA.

• Fluent in English and excellent writing skills.

A cover letter and CV, including three references, should be sent to recruitment1@icvanetwork.org indicating “Asia Regional Representative” in the subject line.

The deadline for applications is January 8, 2016.

Starting date***:*** First trimester of 2016.

Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.