Senior Adviser

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and disaster. With a workforce of approximately 15,000 staff members, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of individuals each year. The organization is committed to defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, ensuring that they receive the support and protection they need in times of crisis. NRC's mission is to promote human dignity and provide effective humanitarian aid, while fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within its workforce.

Job Overview:
The Senior Adviser position at NRC UK is a pivotal role aimed at leading a new independent humanitarian diplomacy initiative focused on addressing humanitarian access barriers that are increasingly affecting crisis-affected communities and the safety of aid workers. This role involves establishing and leading an independent secretariat that will support a select group of diverse member states in tackling these barriers through collective diplomatic engagement. The Senior Adviser will be responsible for providing critical technical and operational capacity to identify access barriers, promote cohesion with ongoing access efforts, and mitigate risks to aid worker safety, all while adhering to international legal frameworks. The position also entails monitoring key developments related to humanitarian access and engaging with various stakeholders, including member states and peer organizations, to ensure effective collaboration and communication. This is a fixed-term role with a contract duration of 10 to 12 months, depending on the start date and future funding, with current funding running until March 2026.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Adviser will have a range of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Coordination: Leading the establishment of the secretariat and the associated humanitarian access initiative, maintaining engagement and communication channels among Group members and Partner Organizations, coordinating inputs on access challenges, facilitating regular meetings, and supporting the establishment of a financial contribution mechanism for the project.
• Analysis: Identifying and analyzing key access challenges in collaboration with Group and Partner Organizations, ensuring the Group is well-briefed on operational access challenges, and developing monitoring systems to track progress against agreed criteria and actions.
• Administrative Support: Providing effective administrative and logistical support for the secretariat, including fundraising efforts to ensure the project's long-term sustainability.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with key stakeholders, including member states and peer organizations, to promote collaboration and information sharing on humanitarian access issues.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Senior Adviser position must possess at least five years of relevant work experience in humanitarian access coordination and direct implementation, particularly in senior roles. They should have expertise in international law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">humanitarian law, humanitarian access, the protection of aid workers, and humanitarian diplomacy. Significant experience in complex and volatile contexts, negotiating or analyzing access constraints, and leading inter-agency or multilateral platforms is essential. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of the humanitarian system and coordination structures, along with proven analytical, administrative, and coordination skills. Recommended qualifications include experience with security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">information security, field experience with a humanitarian organization at a senior level, and a background in humanitarian policy, diplomacy, or advocacy.

Educational Background:
A university degree in human rights, law, or other relevant fields is required for the Senior Adviser position. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of humanitarian access and the legal frameworks that govern it.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of five years of experience in roles related to humanitarian access coordination and direct implementation, with a focus on senior-level positions. This experience should include working in challenging environments and engaging with various stakeholders to address access constraints effectively.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders. Additional language skills may be beneficial, particularly in languages relevant to the regions where NRC operates.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in London, UK, and may require regular travel to Geneva. The contract is fixed-term, lasting between 10 to 12 months, with a salary of £59,352 per annum, which includes London Weighting. NRC is committed to equal opportunities and encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing a culture of respect and inclusion. The organization also has a zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation, abuse, and harassment, ensuring a safe environment for all employees.