Country: Israel, occupied Palestinian territory
Closing date: 31 Oct 2017
Since 2004, Diakonia runs an International Humanitarian Law Resource Center (IHLRC) with the aim of increasing respect for international law. And now we are looking for a new Programme Director.
Diakonia is a Swedish civil society organization working with a long-term and rights-based perspective to advance democracy and human rights, social and economic justice, gender equality, peace and justice in developing and crisis-ridden countries. Our mission is to change inequality, discrimination, unfair political, economic and social structures that generate poverty, oppression and violence.
Since 2004, Diakonia runs an International Humanitarian Law Resource Center (IHLRC) with the aim of increasing respect for international law, specifically IHL and IHRL, in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The IHLRC focuses on legal research and analysis, report production, advocacy and outreach, specifically addressing third State responsibility and accountability among the humanitarian and development communities.
Type of employment: 1 year (with possibility for extension); this position will be expatriate/International employment.
Planned starting time: December 2017 (pending receipt of work permit)
Work place: Diakonia Country office for Israel/Palestine in Jerusalem
Main Responsibilities
The IHLRC Programme Director will manage a dynamic team of legal, policy, advocacy and programme management professionals. The Programme Director will lead the IHLRC in line with the 2017-2019 Diakonia IHLRC Strategy;mentor staff; conduct strategic communication with stakeholders at senior level, oversee production and implementation of annual work-plans; supervise legal research, legal reports; and publications and will oversee IHL/IHRL trainings, especially related to mainstreaming IHL into programming for donors, as well as local and international humanitarian and development actors.
In collaboration with the Deputy Director, Program Manager, Project Manager, and Legal Advisors, the Programme Director has the following responsibilities.
Management
Assume the overall responsibility to manage the IHLRC in accordance with the Diakonia delegation order.
Overall responsibility for the development and implementation of strategic plans, research and advocacy strategy and activities, as well as internal processes of the IHLRC.
Develop and maintain strategic relations with partner organizations.
Provide the team with legal and related policy support and guidance.
Overall responsibility on IHLRC results to Donors and Diakonia.
Overall responsibility for budget control and management including operations and allocation of resources.
Overall responsibility over procurement of external consultants and experts.
Lead and mentor IHLRC personnel in alignment with pertinent Diakonia standards and procedures and Human Resource Handbook, including holding staff development talks, identifying competence and development needs, developing work plans and supervising overall programworkflow.
Liaison and Representation
Represent the IHLRC at a senior level in key regional and international networks.
Maintain and develop strategic contacts with relevant actors, including existing and potential back-donors, networks, partner organizations and like-minded organizations.
Develop and maintain network of policy makers, influencers and other strategic resources; build strategic relationships and conduct policy dialogue with senior diplomatic, humanitarian and development community and policy representatives, including the EU and UN levels in oPt/Israel, toward the end of encouraging stronger third state and party assumption of responsibility and assertion of IHL compliance and accountability.
Coordinate advocacy and external communications with Diakonia HQ, as well as with other strategic actors, collaborators and in opportune forums, both locally and internationally.
Resource Mobilisation
Build and maintain strategic relationships with existing donors and coordinate drafting of proposals/applications to expand programming and funding relationships with current and prospective donors and partners.
Liaise with current and prospective donors and partner organizations on issues relevant to legal and policy issues and programme development, including strategic priorities.
Supervise and approved production of concept notes, applications, objectives and indicators, budgets and financial follow-up documents.
Coordination with the Regional Office and Head Office
Work in close coordination with Diakonia’s Regional Office for the Middle East and Head Office in Stockholm to ensure that the IHLRC and its work integrate and reflect Diakonia’s corporate strategy and priorities, business processes, and work-flow.
Actively participate in the development of Diakonia’s Global IHL Programme, including by maintaining close communication with the Global IHL Advisor based at Head Office.
Actively participate in the development and use of internal Diakonia processes with respect to gender mainstreaming and advocacy.
**Qualifications
**
Law degree with specialization in International Humanitarian Law, International Human Rights Law and/or International Criminal Law. License to practice law and legal practice, as well as extensive IHL and occupation law experience preferred.
At least seven years of combined legal, advocacy, and/or diplomatic experience.
A minimum of four years of successful managerial experience.
Experience working at the field-level in crisis and politically sensitive environments.
Track record of resource mobilisation and strategic engagement with donors.
Expertise in strategy and programme development.
Excellent communications and interpersonal skills.
Excellent analytical and drafting skills.
Solid understanding of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, including relevant legal matters, as well as advocacy, humanitarian and development policies preferred.
How to apply:
Application
Interested candidates are invited to apply by sending an updated CV which has a list of at least three references along with a cover letter explaining their interest in the position to the following e-mail address: vacancies.jerusalem@diakonia.se no later than October 31, 2017.
Incomplete applications will be dismissed and only short-listed candidates will contacted.