Director, UN and Humanitarian Diplomacy (New York)

Salary: About CIVICCenter for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) is an international nonprofit with offices around the world working to improve protection for civilians caught in conflict zones. CIVIC envisions a world in which no civilian is harmed in conflict. Our mission is to support communities affected by conflict in their quest for protection and strengthen the resolve and capacity of armed actors to prevent and respond to civilian harm. We are advocates who believe that no civilian caught in conflict should be ignored, and we provide practical solutions to preventing and responding to civilian harm. Learn more atciviliansinconflict.org.CIVICs New York Office plays a central role in advancing the organizations humanitarian diplomacy and global policy influence. Strategically positioned at the heart of the United Nations system, the office engages directly with key UN bodiesincluding the Security Council, OCHA, DPO, and other relevant UN agenciesas well as with Member States diplomatic missions. Its primary function is to elevate field-based civilian protection priorities into global policy conversations, ensuring that the lived realities of conflict-affected communities inform multilateral decision-making. The office advocates for stronger Protection of Civilians (PoC) language in UN resolutions and mandates, contributes to high-level strategic dialogues with UN leadership, member states and civil society actors, and facilitates access to key platforms for field staff and local partners. Through this work, the New York Office ensures that CIVIC remains an influential voice in shaping international norms, policy frameworks, and operational mandates related to protection.About the PositionThe Director for Global Engagement and Humanitarian Diplomacyis CIVICs principal representative in New York, responsible for spearheading the organizations diplomatic engagement with the United Nations, Member States, and multilateral stakeholders, including liaising with other international organizations based in New York. The Director will lead high-level advocacy to promote the protection of civilians and related thematic issues across peace operations, peacebuilding, disarmament, and defense dialogues. The position also contributes towards the implementation of CIVICs global strategy as part of the organization's extended senior leadership and leads cross-organizational coordination of global engagement priorities through a networked approach with other CIVIC humanitarian diplomacy hubs.Key Functions1. Strategic Advocacy and RepresentationLead CIVICs engagement with UN bodies (Security Council, General Assembly, DPO, DPPA, and OCHA) and Permanent Missions to ensure PoC remains a strategic priority.Represent CIVIC in multilateral forums, thematic briefings, and UN consultations.Build and sustain strategic relationships with diplomatic actors, policy-makers, and key influencers in New York.2. Policy Leadership and InfluenceIn collaboration with CIVICs senior management and relevant technical colleagues, develop and lead implementation of CIVICs global engagement and humanitarian diplomacy strategy.Design and execute targeted advocacy strategies on peace operations, civilian harm mitigation, and defense engagement in collaboration with the Peace Operations and Defense Advisor, and the Global Military Advisor.Provide policy advice to senior management and contribute to institutional responses to key multilateral developments, including UN reform and peacekeeping performance.Develop and deliver CIVICs policy recommendations for reports, resolutions, briefings, and strategic communications targeting the UN and Member States.Ensure New York advocacy efforts reinforce program objectives and operational realities and serve as a strategic resource to country teams, supporting their diplomatic engagement with host governments, militaries, and regional bodies.3. Multilateral Coordination and Coalition BuildingCultivate and lead partnerships with INGOs (including the informal NGO Working Group on PoC), coalitions, think tanks, and humanitarian actors to amplify CIVICs messages and build collective influence.Participate in working groups, expert roundtables, and civil society mechanisms related to UN peace and security.4. Cross-organizational Coordination and DevelopmentEnsure strategic alignment with CIVICs advocacy and diplomatic hubs in Addis Ababa, Amman, Brussels, DC, Geneva, London and field offices through regular coordination on thematic priorities and geographic focus areas. The Director Global Engagement and Humanitarian Diplomacy shall lead this coordination effort, working with Regional and Country Directors, Director of Institutional Partnerships, humanitarian diplomacy advisors and other relevant thematic and technical advisors.Provide input into the development of global advocacy tools and shared campaigns across hubs.Support the recruitment and mentorship of humanitarian diplomacy advisors in the various diplomatic hubs, who will have a functional reporting line to the Director Global Engagement and Humanitarian Diplomacy.Directly supervise the New York and Geneva-based advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy advisors and interns.5. Communications and VisibilityContribute to CIVICs public voice through op-eds, blogs, talking points, and media engagement.Organize high-level events, private briefings, and multilateral convenings to elevate CIVICs advocacy and thought leadership.Experience/QualificationsEducationAdvanced degree (MA, MS, JD, or equivalent) in international relations, political science, law, or related field.ExperienceMinimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian, human rights, peace and security, or multilateral affairs.At least 3 years of direct experience engaging with the UN system and Permanent Missions in New York.Proven expertise in peacekeeping, protection of civilians, international humanitarian law, and related policy areas.Demonstrated track record in multilateral advocacy, strategic influence, and coalition leadership.Skills and AttributesStrong diplomatic and representational skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.Excellent written and oral communication skills; fluency in English required (French or other UN languages an asset).Strategic thinker with strong policy analysis capabilities.Team player with a collaborative mindset and experience working across complex, decentralized teams.Demonstrated leadership and management skills that effectively motivate staff and support team building; demonstrated ability to manage a professional team in a multi-cultural environment.Demonstrated capacity to mobilize program funding for policy/advocacy work, including donor cultivation and program development.High level of integrity, discretion, and political judgment.Key DeliverablesCIVICs global engagement and humanitarian diplomacy strategyAnnual engagement strategy for UN and Member States.Measurable contributions to Security Council debates, peace operations mandates, and thematic resolutions.Policy products (briefs, statements, reports) and communications outputs.Regular reporting on influence outcomes and strategic impact.Additional DetailsApplications will be accepted untilDecember 31, 2025.Resumes are reviewed on a rolling basis so please apply early. Currently, all job interviews are being held virtually.CIVIC seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool in the belief that this is critical to achieving our goals. We strongly encourage applications from persons with diverse backgrounds and experiences. CIVIC is not able to sponsor employees at this point, so please ensure that you can legally work in this location when applying.Note to Recruiters and Placement Agencies:CIVIC does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. CIVIC does not pay placement fees for candidates submitted by any agency other than its approved partners.