Founded in 1962, the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) is a global network of non-governmental organizations that work collectively and with other humanitarian stakeholders around issues of forced displacement, humanitarian coordination, partnership and resourcing.
Objective
The Geneva-based Director of Partnership and Policy (PP) is responsible for supporting the implementation of ICVA’s 2015-2018 Strategy, management of the overall programme areas and ensuring policy coherence in the implementation of the strategy (LINK) via its annual workplans.
The Director of Partnership and Policy is responsible for management of the programme team (two Senior Policy Officers based in Geneva and three Regional Representatives in Bangkok, Dakar and Amman).
The Director of Partnership and Policy is part of the Directors’ Team (working with the Executive Director and the Director of Finance and Administration) to provide leadership to the organization.
Organizational Setting
- The Director of PP reports to the Executive Director of ICVA.
- S/He works closely with the Director of Finance and Administration.
- S/He has management responsibility of the programme team (five direct reports in Geneva and the Regional Hubs).
Responsibilities
Strategic Direction and Implementation
- Contributes to the strategic direction of the organization in close cooperation with ICVA’s Executive Director.
- Leads the strategic analysis of programme positioning of the organization according to ICVA's priorities.
- Ensures the strategic objectives are achieved and communicated.
Policy and Programme
- Defines, along with the programme team and the Executive Director, coherent policies and programmes for the organization
- Coordinates the overall advocacy activities of the organization
- Coordinates the overall programmes of the organization.External Partnership and Representation
- Works with the Executive Director and programme team to identify, maintain and develop partnerships with external stakeholders contributing to ICVA's strategic objectives.
- In close interaction with the Executive Director, ensures coherency throughout ICVA's representation, along with the programme team.
- Represents ICVA at relevant high-level meetings and humanitarian forums.
Management
- Manages and coordinates the overall programme team in Geneva and the Regional Hubs.
- Ensures the work plan objectives are achieved, communicated and shared and contributing to ICVA’s strategic vision.
- Leads on building team cohesion and capacity.
Grant Management
- Supports the Executive Director on strategic engagement with donors.
- Leads on proposal development in collaboration with the Executive Director, Director of Finance and Administration and the programme team.
- Oversees grant reporting and ensures high quality reports to donors.
Results Expected
- Implementing the ICVA Strategy.
- Strengthening team cohesion and information exchange focused on meeting the strategic vision.
- Writing exceptionally well to provide clear and concise information to a broad range of stakeholders.
- Developing well-reasoned, innovative suggestions and approaches to deal with complex policy/technical issues.
- Leading and managing effectively to deliver outputs in a timely manner, in accordance with overall objectives.
- Serving as an effective and respected spokesperson internally and externally.
- Forming strong partnerships with relevant parties to help meet organizational objectives with respect to overall policy initiatives and partnership and coordination strengthening.
Qualifications and Requirements
Education:
- Advanced university degree in international law, international relations, or related academic field.
Experience:
- A minimum of fifteen years’ work experience in the area of humanitarian action/policy.
- Demonstrable management experience, including of a dispersed team.
- Demonstrable overseas field experience as a humanitarian practitioner.
- Experience of leading on policy analysis on humanitarian issues.
- Demonstrated experience in influencing external partners.
Knowledge:
- Excellent knowledge of the international humanitarian context including current humanitarian policy issues.
- Good knowledge of institutional donor context.
Competencies and Skills:
- Exceptional manager who builds strong relations in collaborating with members and colleagues and manages relations with diverse stakeholders.
- Quick analytical thinker who understands contextual developments and refers to the (potential) implications for ICVA.
- Well-developed communication, presentation and representational skills appropriate for different audiences, including the ability to influence people.
- 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.
- Ability to contribute to ICVA’s mission and strategic directions.
- Excellent oral and written English, fluency in French is desirable.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications
- A cover letter and CV should be sent to recruitment1@icvanetwork.org indicating “Director of Partnership and Policy” in the subject line.
- The deadline for applications is 23 August 2015.
- Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.
