Regional Policy Dialogue Specialist (ICGLR-ReDSS Liaison) Full Time NEW

About the job

Physically based between the ReDSS or ICGLR Secretariat offices in Bujumbura (time-split), the Regional Policy Dialogue Specialist (ICGLR-ReDSS Liaison) is expected to engage on a full-time basis.

Responsibilities:

Coordinate ICGLR-ReDSS engagement and support strategic alignment

• Serve as liaison between ReDSS and the ICGLR Secretariat, ensuring regular communication and alignment across national and regional processes, in close communication with UNHCR Regional Bureaus.
• Facilitate follow-up on joint action points, support strengthening of ICGLR-ReDSS ways of working, and promote coherence between ReDSS programming and ICGLR priorities.
• Engage relevant ICGLR directorates, forums, and mechanisms to ensure inclusive and cross-cutting input into durable solutions efforts.
• Support and inform the participation of ICGLR staff in national, regional and internation forums on durable solutions, including inputs in talking points, briefing documents and other relevant technical or strategic support.
• Support ReDSS to identify potential linkages between ICGLR engagement on regional durable solutions policy and national-level engagement in Burundi, Tanzania, DR Congo, Rwanda and Uganda, contributing to insights and suggestions to inform broader strategic planning.

Support the development and finalization of the ICGLR Regional Strategy on Durable Solutions and its associated Action Plan

• Provide day-to-day support to the ICGLR and the Strategy Drafting Consultant in the development, review and finalization of the regional strategy and its accompanying action plan.
• Coordinate inputs and feedback from the ICGLR member states, ReDSS, UNHCR and other stakeholders, ensuring timely follow-up and documentation of such inputs and feedback.
• Support the organization, logistics, and documentation of technical and political validation processes and peer-learning events.
• Ensure that comments and recommendations from consultations are systematically tracked and integrated into updated drafts.
• Liaise with ICGLR departments to ensure coherence between the strategy and other regional frameworks, agendas and initiatives.
• Coordinate the RAG, including scheduling meetings, preparing summaries, supporting follow-up and ensuring coordinated engagement by its members in the strategy development process.
• Support the formatting, presentation, and final publication of the strategy and action plan in line with ICGLR standards.
• Recognizing the broader nature of ICGLR and ReDSS partnership on solutions policy, the position may also call for engagement on:

Support ReDSS and ICGLR in research and knowledge management on durable solutions in the Great Lakes region

• Act as the focal point for implementing the ReDSS knowledge and learning agenda in collaboration with the ICGLR, including the identification and design of joint research initiatives aligned with political priorities.
• Support the finalization and dissemination of the regional policy mapping and other analytical work to inform strategic decision-making and the drafting of the regional strategy.
• Conduct literature reviews to inform ReDSS and ICGLR engagement on solutions and inform the learning agenda.
• Develop draft terms of reference and follow-up plans for studies of research initiatives identified jointly by ReDSS and ICGLR, including on topics such as mobility and education.
• Analyze relevant regional strategies, legal and policy frameworks, and track the implementation of key instruments at Member State level, including GRF pledges, identifying opportunities for engagement.
• Contribute to the planning and facilitation of learning events, technical workshops, and other platforms for cross-country exchange and reflection.
• Support the translation of research conducted by ReDSS, ICGLR and other stakeholders into actionable recommendations and clear messaging to support ReDSS and ICGLR engagement.

Strengthen the capacity of ICGLR and its partners to advance durable solutions in the Great Lakes region

• In close collaboration with ReDSS staff, provide continuous capacity-building on durable solutions to the ICGLR secretariat, its Member States, and other relevant stakeholders, including through the organization of dedicated trainings and technical support.
• Support the planning and roll-out of relevant training and policy tools developed by ReDSS and its partners, ensuring alignment with ICGLR’s regional engagement strategy and priorities.
• Promote the inclusion of cross-cutting issues – such as gender, SGBV, mental health, internal displacement, peacebuilding and returnee reintegration – across ICGLR’s capacity-building and policy engagement efforts.
• Contribute to the review and follow-up of ICGLR and Member State durable solutions commitments and help translate evidence and learning into practical guidance for implementation.
• Coordinate with national stakeholders, the Regional Advisory Group, and other relevant regional bodies to ensure alignment and reinforce the impact of ICGLR’s engagement on durable solutions.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to. Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Minimum of 5–7 years of relevant professional experience in coordination, advocacy or policy engagement in the fields of forced displacement, migration, or other related areas of humanitarian, development and peacebuilding responses.
• Advanced university degree in law, international relations, political science, development studies, public policy, or a related field
• Experience working with, advising or supporting regional institutions (in particular the ICGLR or other inter-government mechanisms), government actors, or international organizations in the Great Lakes region, particular on issues related to displacement / humanitarian, development and peacebuilding policy and responses.
• Strong understanding of displacement dynamics and durable solutions in the Great Lakes region; familiarity with relevant policy and institutional frameworks.
• Experience in capacity development of a wide range of actors including developing tools, mentoring and coaching, training of trainers and impact monitoring of capacity development activities, with particular focus on thematics linked to displacement / humanitarian, development and peacebuilding responses.
• Proven ability to coordinate inputs across diverse stakeholders and support consultative and validation processes.
• Experience supporting research, knowledge management or policy processes, including reviewing drafts, coordinating inputs, and preparing background documents.
• Excellent networking, interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diplomatically and effectively with political and technical actors.
• Flexibility, proactive engagement, ability to work under pressure and to demonstrate high tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage large volumes of information and data is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of local languages in the Great Lakes region is an added asset.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 1 Year

Employment Band: Non-management G

Work location: Bujumbura – Burundi
Designation of Duty Station: Unaccompanied / Non-Family Duty Station

Reporting to: Durable Solutions Great Lakes Manager

Technical Supervisor: Durable Solutions Great Lakes Manager

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on national/expatriate contract ; please refer to our website for more details.

Tagged as: Burundi, Danish Refugee Council