Humanitarian Access Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian aid, relief, and development organization that was founded in 193

• The IRC responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. The organization operates in over 40 countries and has a workforce of more than 14,000 employees. The IRC's mission is to help people affected by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. They focus on providing health care, education, economic wellbeing, and safety to those in need, particularly in areas where access is severely restricted due to violence or instability.

Job Overview:
The Humanitarian Access Consultant will play a crucial role in ensuring that the IRC can safely deliver essential services to clients in Haiti amidst a complex humanitarian crisis characterized by armed violence and significant operational risks. Reporting directly to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director and working closely with the Emergency Safety & security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security Senior Coordinator, the consultant will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies that enhance IRC's ability to access program locations safely. This position requires a deep understanding of the local context, including stakeholder dynamics and the risks associated with humanitarian access in gang-controlled territories. The consultant will engage in thorough analysis and diagnostics to inform IRC's operational strategies, ensuring that humanitarian efforts can continue despite the challenging environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key objectives, including conducting a comprehensive engagement analysis and diagnostics to produce a departmental access diagnostic. This will involve stakeholder influence mapping, route and corridor analysis, and the creation of risk registers that assess the risks of engagement and non-engagement. Additionally, the consultant will work on improving internal processes and systems to ensure safe program delivery, which includes drafting an engagement and negotiation strategy, developing route cards, and establishing go/no-go triggers. Training and mentoring the IRC Humanitarian Access Safety & Security Manager on field negotiation and engagement strategy development will also be a critical responsibility. The consultant will deliver engagement workshops and provide tailored negotiation training for field staff, culminating in a final report and handover package that includes an action plan and priorities for the HASS Manager and Senior Management Team.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 7 years of experience in humanitarian access within high-risk contexts, with a preference for those who have worked in environments with gang-controlled territories. A proven track record of working with international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) or United Nations (UN) coordination mechanisms is essential. The consultant must demonstrate full compliance with IRC's safeguarding policies, including PSEA (Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse), anti-fraud measures, and the organization's code of conduct. It is imperative that the consultant has no engagement with sanctioned groups or individuals and is eligible to conduct work in Haiti.

Educational Background:
While specific educational qualifications are not explicitly stated, it is generally expected that candidates will have a relevant degree in fields such as international relations, humanitarian studies, or a related discipline that supports their understanding of humanitarian access and operational strategies in complex environments.

Experience:
The position requires extensive experience, specifically a minimum of 7 years in humanitarian access roles, particularly in high-risk contexts. Candidates with experience in areas affected by gang violence or similar challenges will be favored, as this background is critical for navigating the complexities of the operational environment in Haiti.

Languages:
Fluency in French and Haitian Creole is mandatory, as these languages are essential for effective communication within the local context. Additionally, excellent written English is required to ensure that reports and documentation can be produced to a high standard, facilitating clear communication with international stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be a full-time engagement, with the consultant required to work closely with IRC staff in Haiti. The contract duration is not specified, but the deadline for applications is May 8, 202

• The IRC emphasizes that they do not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and any solicitation during this process will lead to disqualification. All submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.