Strategic Advisor, Civil Military Engagement

The Opportunity

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as the Strategic Advisor, Civil Military Engagement in Centre -London, UK or any existing Save the Children International Regional or Country office worldwide.

Role Purpose:

As a member of Save the Children’s Unit for Civil Military Engagement and Access, this role supports frontline and regional teams in negotiating access for services and protection activities. Through advising on humanitarian negotiations, the role contributes to Save the Children’s efforts to protect children in conflicts and complex crises. This work includes advice on structuring dialogues with parties to conflict for humanitarian outcomes for children and communities including access for education, health, child protection and complementary activities. This direct support informs and is guided by policies, procedures and principles of humanitarian action. The Strategic Advisor works with the Unit and others to provide expert insight and advice for strategic decision-making including developing solutions and potential changes to policies and practices across the domain of humanitarian negotiations.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the Strategic Advisor 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.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Head of Unit, Civil Military Relations and Access 

Staff reporting to this post:  0

Budget Responsibilities:  Likely involvement in specific awards supporting Relations with Armed Actors, Access and Negotiations, global readiness and support to country offices.

Role Dimensions: Significant engagement with Regional advisers and staff in field locations, with Context Analysis and Foresight Unit, Policy and Advocacy, Legal, and Safety and Security teams and various experts (e.g. Safe Schools, Centrality of Protection, CPiE, Healthcare and Nutrition)

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• Demonstrated commitment to the Save the Children mission and values
• Higher level education degree, Masters or above, in a relevant field (e.g., IHL, IHRL, Protection of Civilians, humanitarian action)
• Direct experience working at country or regional level humanitarian structures including focus on humanitarian negotiations including access for services and protection activities
• Has led negotiations processes, and can advise on aligning priorities in their organisation and maintain a clear mandate in complex environments
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of relations with armed actors, humanitarian civil-military coordination, humanitarian negotiations, humanitarian access, as well as some or all the sectors that Save the Children works in, particularly Child Protection, Protection, Education and Healthcare and Nutrition
• Ability to work across networks of internal and external stakeholders to build a common vision and coordinate actions and align priorities
• Understands changing environments and positions, develop multifaceted strategies for multiple stakeholders and how to leverage competing sources of influence for humanitarian outcomes
• Demonstrated experience mobilizing resources for humanitarian or development programming, including developing concept notes to full proposals. Experience of 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 working as part of team to drive high performance and results, and a supportive and positive work environment both remotely and in person
• Significant ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt work plans depending on external opportunities and demands; ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks while maintaining high-quality standards
• Willingness to travel to high-risk environments with ongoing humanitarian response, as needed
• Fluent spoken and written English. French, Arabic, and Russian languages are highly desirable

We can offer circa £42,000 per annum (If based in UK) with an option of flexible working hours. If the role is based outside of the UK, National T&C (including pay) will apply.

This role can be based in London or any existing Save the Children International Regional or Country office location on approval, provided the successful candidate has proof of eligibility to work from the preferred location.

Where we Work -Where We Work | Save the Children International

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your salary expectations. 

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.