About InterAction:
InterAction is the largest U.S. based coalition of international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with nearly 190 members working around the world in low- and middle-income countries, fragile and post-conflict states, and emerging/growth economies. Member organizations are large and small, secular and faith-based, with a focus on people living in the world’s most poor and vulnerable places. The U.S. public, foundations, and governments support the work of our member NGOs that collectively invest and manage more than $15.4 billion a year. InterAction revenues come from dues, government grants, private foundation and corporate grants, and a growing fee-for-service program portfolio. Using its collective voice and convening power, InterAction seeks to shape important policy decisions and actions across a wide range of issues – including foreign assistance, humanitarian relief, development, economic equity, food security, and climate change – that advance human dignity, human potential, and self-determination.
About the Project:
InterAction coordinates and facilitates NGO collaboration to enhance protection in armed conflict by addressing the policy and practice of military actors and through strengthened humanitarian policy and programming for protection outcomes.
Position Description:
The Senior Manager for Protection of Civilians will lead InterAction’s portfolio of work on protection of civilians in armed conflict, including coordinated NGO efforts to influence U.S. military policy, practice, and security partnerships, and provide expert advice and support on the protection of civilians in NGO field operations and inter-agency humanitarian coordination.
Position Title: Senior Manager for Protection of Civilians, Humanitarian Policy and Practice (HPP) Unit
Position Type: Full-time (subject to funding)
Location: Washington, DC
This position is based in Washington, DC. Due to COVID-19, all staff are currently working remotely and following the InterAction COVID-19 policies. This position will be expected to work from InterAction’s office in Washington, DC once conditions for return are met. There are no extraordinary physical requirements for the performance of the essential functions of this position. InterAction will make reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Essential Functions:
Lead InterAction’s work on the reduction of civilian harm and strengthened protection of civilians in armed conflict by ensuring prioritization of key issues and opportunities and the strategic direction of relevant workstreams. This includes ensuring a robust and effective InterAction role in relation to, and in support of, the InterAction-convened Protection of Civilians Working Group, other InterAction members, partners, and working groups, and humanitarian inter-agency initiatives.
In collaboration with other team members and Working Group co-chairs and members, ensure effective design and facilitation of joint initiatives, such as research, roundtables and workshops, policy reports and position papers, and policy advocacy, education, and awareness-raising in support of NGO shared objectives.
Cultivate and manage relationships with key stakeholders, in coordination with the Director of Protection, including U.S. and other military and civilian government counterparts, NGOs, the ICRC, think tanks and research institutes, private funders, donor governments, and UN entities.
Coordinate with, and facilitate the contributions of, InterAction’s Communications and Public Policy Teams in support of relevant workstreams and objectives.
Work with other InterAction staff to support NGO field teams and NGO consortia to address issues related to the conduct of parties to conflict, including by actively contributing to InterAction’s program to develop and promote results-based approaches to protection. This may include providing advice and facilitating workshops for analysis on the protection of civilians, integrating strategies to influence armed actors policy and practice into program design, and assessing the effectiveness of such efforts.
Provide expert input on the protection of civilians in IASC and other humanitarian inter-agency coordination fora and mechanisms, for example, concerning the Centrality of Protection, Civil-Military Coordination, the Emergency Directors Group, etc.
Manage program staff and consultants, monitor project budgets and, with the support of the Director of Protection and other team members, undertake forward planning and proposal development in support of key activities.
In coordination with other InterAction staff, represent InterAction in relation to relevant external stakeholders, fora, and inter-agency coordination mechanisms.
Other Duties:
· Collaborate with other Protection, HPP, and Public Policy Team members in support of the strategic objectives of the HPP Team, including by addressing protection policy and practice as relevant in other workstreams, InterAction-convened working groups, and in relation to HPP strategic priorities.
· Actively participate in Protection Team, HPP, and InterAction internal initiatives and strategic planning.
· Other responsibilities as assigned.
Competencies and Requirements
· Masters degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience;
· Professional experience and familiarity with the dynamics of armed conflict and other situations of violence, their humanitarian consequences, and practical strategies to address the harmful effect of conflict on civilians;
· Substantial experience on policy relating to military operations and the protection of civilians in armed conflict and a high degree of familiarity with critical protection of civilians concerns in contemporary armed conflict, international humanitarian and human rights law, and their implementation;
· At least 7 years experience in program design and management, including a demonstrable track record to manage to desired outcomes and program budgets;
· Substantial experience working with humanitarian and/or human rights NGOs and experience facilitating or working with jointly implemented NGO efforts;
· Familiarity with U.S. foreign policy- and decision-making and the offices and functions of the National Security Council, the Departments of Defense and State, and USAID as well as relevant entities and functions of the United Nations;
· Strong conceptual and analytical thinking, ability to absorb information and ideas, prioritize among critical issues, and focus coordinated efforts on strategic priorities;
· Ability to write clearly, succinctly, accurately, and quickly on complex ideas and issues for a policymaker audience as well as for non-subject matter specialists;
· Strong and effective facilitator, with experience and skills in designing and organizing events, such as workshops and policy roundtables;
· Effective problem-solving skills and creative, flexible, and adaptable approach to work responsibilities and program strategies;
· Strong interpersonal skills and experience building trust among diverse stakeholders and representing the interests of diverse constituencies.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
Compensation: InterAction provides competitive salaries and excellent benefits.
Expected Start Date: Late August / early September 2020
Reports to: Director of Protection
Travel: Estimated 15-20% of time, primarily international travel
How to apply:
Please e-mail your resume and cover letter to jobs@interaction.org with subject line containing title Senior Manager – Protection of Civilians. Position will remain open until filled, but applications received before 31 July 2020 are preferred. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered for this position.
All applicants must be able to provide documentation that they are legally eligible to work in the United States for an extended period. Due to the volume of applications, only finalists will be notified. No phone calls, please!