Representative to the UN and Director for Humanitarian Diplomacy (New York)

About CIVIC

Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) is an international nonprofit organization working to improve protection for civilians caught in conflict. CIVIC collaborates with armed actors, governments, multilateral bodies, and affected communities to develop and implement practical solutions to prevent, mitigate, and respond to civilian harm. Learn more at civiliansinconflict.org.

About the New York Office

The New York Office plays a central role in advancing CIVIC’s humanitarian diplomacy and global policy influence. Strategically positioned at the heart of the United Nations system, the office engages directly with key UN bodies—including the Security Council, OCHA, DPO, and other relevant UN agencies—as well as Member States’ diplomatic missions. Its primary function is to elevate field‑based civilian protection priorities into global policy conversations, ensuring that 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 key platforms for field staff and local partners.

The Position

The Representative to the United Nations and Director for Humanitarian Diplomacy is CIVIC’s principal representative in New York, responsible for spearheading the organization’s diplomatic engagement with the United Nations, Member States, and multilateral stakeholders. The Representative will lead high‑level diplomatic engagement and advocacy to promote the protection of civilians across peace operations, peacebuilding, disarmament, and defense dialogues. The position also contributes to the implementation of CIVIC’s global strategy and leads cross‑organizational coordination of humanitarian diplomacy priorities through a networked approach with other CIVIC diplomatic hubs worldwide.

Location: New York, NY, United States

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Duration: Full‑time, 12 months (renewable based on performance and funding)

Key Functions

• Humanitarian Diplomacy and Representation: Lead CIVIC’s engagement with UN bodies (Security Council, General Assembly, DPO, DPPA, 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.
• Policy Leadership and Influence: Develop and lead implementation of CIVIC’s global engagement and humanitarian diplomacy strategy.
• Design and execute targeted advocacy strategies on peace operations, civilian harm mitigation, and defense engagement.
• Provide policy advice to senior management and contribute to institutional responses to key multilateral developments, including UN reform and peacekeeping performance.
• Develop and deliver CIVIC’s policy recommendations for reports, resolutions, briefings, and strategic communications targeting the UN and Member States.
• Ensure engagements and advocacy in New York reinforce program objectives and operational realities and serve as a strategic resource to country teams.
• Multilateral Coordination and Coalition Building: Cultivate and lead partnerships with Member States, UN Agencies, INGOs, coalitions, think tanks, and humanitarian actors to amplify CIVIC’s messages and build collective influence.
• Participate in working groups, expert roundtables, and civil society mechanisms related to UN peace and security.
• Cross‑Organizational Coordination and Development: Lead coordination with advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy advisors across hubs and support recruitment and mentorship of advisors.
• Communications and Visibility: Contribute to CIVIC’s public voice through op‑eds, blogs, talking points, and media engagement; organize high‑level events, private briefings, and multilateral convenings.

Experience / Qualifications

Education

• Advanced degree (MA, MS, JD, or equivalent) in international relations, political science, law, or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian, human rights, peace and security, or multilateral affairs.
• At least 5 years of direct experience engaging with the UN system and Permanent Missions in New York.
• Previous high‑level diplomatic experience and engagement with Member States is a strong asset.
• 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 Attributes

• Strong 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 Deliverables

• CIVIC global engagement and humanitarian diplomacy strategy.
• Annual 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 Details

Applications will be accepted until February 11, 2026. 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.

Candidates must be fully authorized to work in the US without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.

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.

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