Senior Advisor on National Society Development

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We are looking for a Senior Advisor on National Society Development for the Knowledge Development and Advocacy Unit at the Finnish Red Cross International Aid Department in Helsinki. 
 
The Finnish Red Cross supports its partner National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in delivering humanitarian assistance and supporting community resilience and local development as per humanitarian imperative and their auxiliary role vis-à-vis their government. Through National Society Development (NSD) it aims to National Societies’ organization to become more sustainable and accountable in their service delivery capacity. This is crucial to the vision of FRC Strategic Framework for International Aid: to make the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement effectively prepared for disasters and conflicts as part of our core humanitarian duty. 

NSD support of the Finnish Red Cross takes place either through leadership support, specific organizational development functions or capacity development in programmes and projects, including in emergencies. National Society Development is also supported through advocacy for the increased role of local actors and for appropriate nexus approaches in the contexts of fragility and conflict. 

Main responsibilities

Senior Adviser on National Society Development will have the following main tasks:

1. Support to programmes and partnerships and development of guidelines, tools and approaches

This includes management of FRC’s partnership process and guidelines, support to FRC management on partnership process (including help with planning and facilitation and advise), and participation to key NSD working groups of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, as well as support to regional/country teams on NSD support as part of the FRC programmes. It also entails leading the FRC approach on NSD.

2. Knowledge development of FRC capacity to implement NSD  

This includes planning, running, assessing, and continuously improving NSD related training modules as part of the FRC learning programme for International Aid staff, facilitating an internal NSD Working Group as well as identifying trends and analysing lessons learnings.

3. Expertise to support advocacy on localization and nexus

This includes participation in planning, implementation, review and adaptation of advocacy work at different levels (Finland, EU, international or regional), contributing to policy follow-up and analysis and preparation of advocacy materials as well as contributing to networking in Finland, within the RC/RC Movement and internationally.

Employment type: permanent full-time position

What we expect from you

The suitable candidate will have a university degree in relevant field and at least 8 years of relevant experience, preferably in the humanitarian sector. Experience with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and National Society Development is highly appreciated.  

The candidate will have experience in capacity and organisational development as well as partnership processes. Experience in programme and emergency operations management is a plus, and experience from a protracted crisis or fragile context an additional one.

We are looking for a person with demonstrated capacities and skills to lead policy approaches, facilitate trainings and develop tools, methods and strategies. Experience in conducting or commissioning assessments, analysis and evaluations will be useful. Proven understanding of advocacy or public policy processes is considered an asset.

The suitable candidate has excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills. Fluent written and spoken English is required, French is an advantage. Finnish is not a requirement, but highly useful. 

We expect commitment to Red Cross values and principles.

What we offer to you

We offer an interesting position as part of the world’s largest humanitarian network. You will work both at global policy level and with hands-on support in challenging contexts. The position requires and offers a lot of learning and development opportunities.  

The position is located at the Finnish Red Cross headquarters in Helsinki. We work in a flexible hybrid model.

Collective Agreement for the Organizations in the Social Sector is applied.

Interested in hearing more?

For more information, contact Suvi Virkkunen, Head of Knowledge Development and Advocacy, on 13 January at 10–11 GMT+2 (Helsinki Time) or 17 January at 14–15 GMT+2 (Helsinki time) at +358 40 353 97 94. 

Please apply through the recruitment portal at the latest on 25th January, 2023.