The IFRC, “auxiliaries to the public authorities in the humanitarian field”, is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland on the basis of a treaty concluded with the Swiss Federal Council. This Headquarters Agreement explicitly recognizes the “international legal personality” of the IFRC and grants the IFRC a legal Capacity in Switzerland with privileges and immunities similar to other international organizations such as the United Nations.

The IFRC has to date concluded over 90 such agreements recognizing its status and that of its delegations. Pakistan, Colombia and Philippines are some of the countries where the legal status of the IFRC and its delegation have not been formalized.

The IFRC Pakistan Country Delegation was first established in 1978. The IFRC has ever since supported the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in disaster preparedness, Health and care programmes, and response operations to different kinds of crises, small and major. The IFRC works with PRCS is the capacity enhancement of the national society and the Organizational Development and Branch Development, Youth Development, Volunteer Recruitment and Retention, just to name a few.

To further enhance the support to the PRCS and its operations, the IFRC, therefore, is seeking the formalization of its legal status in Pakistan, including the granting of operational facilities required to carry out its mandate in support of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society and disaster relief, recovery and preparedness activities in Pakistan. The facilities requested by the IFRC are fully set out in the draft agreement submitted for the consideration of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan by the Pakistan Red Crescent Society.

Additionally, to enhance the support to the Colombian Red Cross and Philippine Red Cross and their operations, the IFRC, therefore, is seeking the formalization of its legal status in Colombia and Philippines.

The Consultant will assist IFRC Heads of Delegation in planning the advancement of LSA with Pakistan, Colombia and Philippines.

2. Developing Guidelines for Obtaining LSA

IFRC has five regional offices in Panama, Nairobi, Beirut, Budapest and Kuala Lumpur to help strengthen and improve regional cooperation between National Societies.

IFRC has more than 50 country/country cluster support offices worldwide to support National Societies with their programs and organizational development.

At the moment, IFRC has 191 member National Societies. While, IFRC has to date concluded over 90 agreements recognizing its status and that of its delegations.

The task of the consultant is to develop step by step guidelines for the Heads of Delegation for obtaining LSA with the host country.

3. Assisting on IC and CoD Resolutions

The Consultant will assist IFRC NSDOC team in Geneva on IC and CoD Resolutions.

4. Assisting on White Paper for the Reference Centres

The Consultant will assist IFRC NSDOC team in Geneva on White paper for the Reference Centres.

Education

Required

Bachelor’s degree in law or in a similar, relevant area.

Master of International Law or equivalent.

Experience

Required

Previous experience working for the IFRC.

Relevant experience in international diplomacy/advocacy (5 years at least).

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

Fluently spoken and written English.

Fluently spoken and written Urdu.

Preferred

Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.