Mission

Geneva Call is an international humanitarian organization striving to enhance the protection of civilians in conflict contexts. Geneva Call engages in a dialogue with armed groups and de facto authorities for them to be aware and better comply with international humanitarian norms and principles. Geneva Call is headquartered in Geneva and works in 16 conflict contexts in South-East and Central Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

Geneva Call consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions. Geneva Call is an inclusive working environment for all its staff. Applications are particularly encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Role

The Engagement Advisor (EA) position is a high-level relationships advisor that supports the Country Director to establish, maintain and promote mutually beneficial relationships with the highest levels of the authorities in Yemen, leaders of AGDAs, political formations, CSOs and communities. The position will work closely with the Head of Programme, Head of Support and Security Coordinator. Vertically, the SEA will work closely with the MENA region team and the Global Engagement Advisor while also line managing the Liaison Officer.

Core responsibilities

I. Project Management

• Development and implementation of GC’s government relations strategy that defines the collaboration framework, principles and deliverables.
• Development of context informed engagement strategy for AGDAs in the promotion of IHL and protection of civilians for Yemen
• Establishment of creative toolboxes to trouble shoot persistent breaches of IHL and shortcoming in civilian protection.
• Develop and strengthen Geneva Call’s impact in opening up humanitarian access in hard-to-reach areas vis-à-vis AGDA engagement.
• Lead IHL promotion with senior leadership in political formations, government leadership, military, and AGDA top brass.
• Facilitates engagement with national and local authorities to trouble shoot liaison and relationship issues encountered by programme teams.
• Responsible for the negotiation, signature and monitoring of Deeds of Commitments signed by AGDAs.
• Proactive coordination with ICRC, UN agencies, INGO leadership and specialist organisations that operates in similar spaces as Geneva Call.
• Acts as an outlet channel to the OSESGY.
• Supports Country Director and MENA region in the engagement and relationship building with regional governments i.e. KSA, UAE, Oman, Iran, and the Gulf nations.

II. Security

In coordination with security focal point of the country programme:

• Ensure engagement is done in accordance with Geneva Call security policy.
• Coordinate closely with the security focal person and program team when conducting field based engagements.

III. Communications & External relations

In coordination with the Head of Programme:

• Support implementation of Geneva Call’s Global and Country strategy and build a external relationship for proper implementation of programs.
• Contribute to the production of innovative communications materials localised through consultations involving target audiences.
• Ensure proper acknowledgement of donor visibility and taking into account security and perception risks and seek guidance where necessary.
• Engage local and international organisations regularly.

IV. Financial Management

• Contribute to transparent and timely project-related financial management following GC protocols.
• Strictly adhere to all financial and procurement policies of Geneva Call and seek support where needed.
• Works closely with Head of Support in accounting for expenditure and budget lines under the SEA purview, providing the necessary forecasts and supporting documents.

V. Human Resource Management

• Develop annual objectives with the team and conduct quarterly review of the progress made towards achieving them. Also ensure Liaison staff development plans are in place for the direct report.
• Supervise and provide ongoing support, capacity development and mentoring to the Liaison staff, to enable them to successfully perform in their positions, and supporting them to do the same with the staff they supervise.
• Develop and ensure opportunities for the project staff especially female staff to regularly meet, self-organise and build strong, supportive peer networks with each other; and ensuring effective communication, and opportunities for debriefing.
• Ensure staff well-being and care is prioritised and is an integral part of work.

VI. Others

• Attend and represent GC as required/delegated in meetings and other fora of interest to the organisation.
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the line manager.

Main qualifications

Education

• Completed degree of Higher Education in relevant field such as Political or Social Science, International Humanitarian Law or Human Rights or equivalent.

Languages

• Fluent in written and spoken English and Arabic.

Technical knowledge or experience in

• The SEA should possess over ten years’ relevant experience in the fields of government relations, public relations for UN or international organisations, political analysis, high level journalism, diplomacy, or public-private sector relations.
• Must have relevant experience in Yemen and security landscape.
• A demonstrated track record of neutrality and positive relationships with all formations in Yemen. Must be able to engage all parties to the Yemeni conflict.
• Demonstrated relevant networks in the government, parties, groups – civil, military, and international community.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Proven track record in negotiation and diplomatic skills.

Personal qualities

• Understanding and respect for organisational principles and confidentiality.
• Strong logic and organisational skills, flexibility, and adaptability to change.
• Leadership qualities and unwavering integrity.
• Ability to take responsibility, strong communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Proven ability to work well with colleagues and partners from diverse ethnic/cultural backgrounds.
• Accuracy and reliability, ability to reach results and meet deadlines under pressure.

Performance management

The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the GC Performance Management p. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

• The Job Description
• The individual Work- and Professional Development Plan
• The Competency Framework

Conflict of interest

Any candidate affiliated to, or openly supporting, one or more interest groups opposed to the Foundation’s principles and values, or whose previous position could engender safety issues for co-workers at Appel de Genève / Geneva Call, will be excluded from this selection process.

Conditions

• Position : Engagement Advisor
• Type of Contract: Fixed-term (National contract)
• Activity rate: 100%, full-time position
• Work place: Aden, Yemen
• Preferred start date: 1st July, 2024

Application

No later than 17 June, 2024.

Important Note: Our HR team will meticulously evaluate your profile in line with the requirements of the post you have applied for. Since, we receive a good number of applications for all the positions Geneva Call advertises, it is not possible to communicate the results of our decisions with every candidate individually. Therefore, only the short-listed candidates will be contacted by the HR team to invite them for written test – and the steps afterwards if they qualify i.e., interview and other assessments as deemed appropriate.