Head of Civil Military Engagement Unit at Save the Children

ROLE PURPOSE:

Within Save the Children, the Head of the Civ/Mil Engagement Unit will establish and drive the global Relations with Armed Actors, Access and Negotiations Initiative (RAANI) strategy by fostering cross-functional collaboration across the Humanitarian Team and the wider Save the Children movement.

The Head of the Civ/Mil Engagement Unit will lead the strategic development and embedding of the global policy, approaches, tools and processes related to relations with armed actors, humanitarian access, and humanitarian negotiations. The role will provide strategic leadership in the design, business development, quality implementation and management of related activities and programmes, influencing change and management of relations at all levels. S/he will leverage ongoing learning and activities across global humanitarian and all context teams, while mobilizing resources and supporting advocacy, ultimately to position Save the Children as a thought leader and response actor. The Head of the Civ/Mil Engagement Unit will be expected to resolve, adapt, develop solutions and recommend changes and/or to introduce new procedures and practices with longterm impact across the intersection of Relations with Armed Actors, access negotiations, and these related functions.

The role holder will have a significant level of internal and external representation and communications responsibilities, requiring strong negotiation and influencing skills, vis a vis decision makers, donors, and senior representatives of the global humanitarian community.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to contribute to additional Humanitarian Team priorities including work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• Higher level education degree, Masters or above, in a relevant field (e.g., IHL, Protection of Civilians, International Development, International Relations, Peacebuilding, or Security Studies)
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of relations with armed actors, civil-military coordination, humanitarian negotiations, humanitarian access,internal and external advocacy, as well as sectors that Save the Children works in, particularly Child Protection and Centrality of Protection
• At least 5-7 years direct experience working at country or regional level humanitarian and development structures
• Superiour ability to work across a network of internal and external stakeholders to build a common vision and coordinate actions
• Demonstrated experience mobilizing resources for humanitarian or development programming, including developing concept notes to full proposals
• Excels at project management, including establishing systems and processes to promote consistent implementation and timeline follow-up to deliver in scope, on time, and within budget
• Experience managing staff and teams to drive high performance and results, while fostering a supportive and positive remote work environment
• Wide experience and comfort in external representation and strategic collaboration with partners, institutional and private donors, as well as international multilateral organizations
• Significant ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt work plans depending on external opportunities; ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple demands while maintaining high-quality standards
• Willingness to travel to high-risk environments with ongoing humanitarian response, as needed
• Demonstrated commitment to the Save the Children mission and values
• Fluent spoken and written English

Desirable

• Additional languages, particularly French, Spanish and/or Arabic.