Policy Director - International Humanitarian Law Programme

Diakonia is a Swedish civil society organisation working with a long-term and rights-based perspective to advance democracy and human rights, social and economic justice, gender equality, and peace and justice in developing countries. Our mission is to change unfair political, economic and social structures which generate poverty, oppression and violence.

Respect for the International Humanitarian Law is fundamental in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, recognising occupation and thereby the applicability of IHL, as well as for the importance of state building. As synergies increasingly are sought between the state building agenda and humanitarian interventions, IHL is an increasingly important tool for developing policy options on how to address the conflict and how to avoid maintaining status quo. A comprehensive approach for mainstreaming IHL into policies, programmes and discourse in the oPt is needed within the humanitarian community and diplomatic missions for collective advancement regarding the deteriorating humanitarian situation on the ground.

Since 2004 Diakonia has implemented an International Humanitarian Law programme with the aim of increasing respect for and further implementation of international law, specifically IHL, in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The programme is presently shifting it main focus from integration of IHL competence in prominent Palestinian and Israeli HR organizations, to becoming a resource function addressing third state responsibility and accountability among the humanitarian community. The position of Policy Director is a key function in the present strategy as a part of the IHL team.

Job designation
Policy Director, IHL Programme

Form of employment
Project employment (full time), until 31 December 2011, with the possibility of extension, pending funding.
Unregulated working hours

Starting date
As soon as possible

Location within the organisation
Employer: Diakonia’s Regional Office in the Middle East, Jerusalem
The post holder will report to the Regional Manager and IHL Programme Manager
Place of employment: Jerusalem

Delegated responsibility and Job specification

Main Responsibility:

The Policy Director has the main responsibility to conduct policy dialogues with high-level decision makers, donors, UN representatives and diplomats as well as other relevant stake-holders in the oPt on the applicability of international humanitarian law for third states.

Detailed Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of the Policy Director will include, but not be limited to:

1 .Build strategic relations and conduct policy dialogues and briefings with the diplomatic, development and humanitarian community based in oPt/Israel and incoming high level delegations to further promote agencies’ third state responsibility under international humanitarian law within policies, strategies and operations in oPt. The Policy Director will particularly focus on heads of diplomatic missions, heads of UN agencies, political representatives and the EU. Meetings with high-level local representatives will be conducted when required.

2. Strategically plan, develop and implement policy of the IHL programme in coordination with the Head Office, the Programme Manager and in consultation with our International Advisory Council.

3. Liaise with and participate in high level coordination mechanisms on the UN and donor group levels.

4. Facilitate high level IHL sessions and briefings organised by the IHL programme in oPt and Europe.

5 .Develop contacts and foster effective relations and sustainable network of key decision makers, jurists and lawyers in selected countries.

6. Mobilise further interest from donors to fund/support IHL in the oPt.

Background and qualifications:

Diakonia is preferably searching for a renowned international IHL lawyer / holder of a LLM in international public law or alternatively a skilled communicator with long experience from working with IHL, with extensive policy and networking experience with the EU, UN system and the international donor and diplomatic community.

The following qualifications are essential:
1. Knowledge of and experience of working with the context of the Israel/Palestine conflict
2. Proven strategic communication and diplomacy skills on highest level
3. Knowledgeable about complex political emergencies.
4. To be a team player, excellent facilitator and a networker

How to apply

Interested persons are asked to submit an application, including CV, to Ms. Hala Tawil (vacancies_diakonia@palnet.com).

For further information please contact Sara Lindblom