Technical Advisor

Title: Technical Advisor

Duration: Full-time, fixed-term contract (12 months)

Salary band: €44,000-€48,000

Job Family:Coordinator

Reporting to: Migration Department Management

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Irish Red Cross Society (IRC) is part of the world’s largest independent humanitarian network, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent (RC/RC) Movement. The IRC is committed to and bound by, its Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality. The vision of the Irish Red Cross is to be a leading humanitarian organisation, providing impartial services and support to vulnerable communities both at home and abroad. Our mission is to identify and deliver humanitarian assistance to those who are most in need.

SUMMARY OF ROLE

A Technical Advisor is responsible for advising on the quality, accuracy and operational policy of all relevant programme work. It is critically important that all activities keep abreast of and are compliant with relevant policy and legislation.  Additionally, the activities should be in line with best practices and principles of the Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement. The postholder will be responsible for drafting clear, accurate and up to date Standard Operating Procedures, Terms of Reference and other programme policy documents, based on relevant public policy, legislation and RC/RC Movement guidelines, including protection best practice, to ensure the high quality and smooth and consistent running of operations in the Migration Department.

ROLE RESPONSIBLILTIES

Programme Quality

• Keep abreast of the relevant technical information needs across the Migration Department, including the Restoring Family Links Function, including protection best practice.

• Meet with operational staff to better understand programme operations and related technical needs.

• Draft Standard Operating Procedures, Terms of Reference and programme policy documents, based on relevant public policy, legislation and RC/RC Movement guidelines, to guide ensure the smooth and consistent delivery of IRC Migration programmes to a high quality.

• Facilitate and advise on the implementation of protection mainstreaming and best practice for relevant programmes.

• Support and facilitate programme cycle management and the drafting of relevant documents and plans.

• Gather information on the operational practices of external stakeholders to ensure this information is available to and informs delivery of IRC Migration programmes.

• Work with the Migration Policy Officer to maintain an understanding of legislation and policy relevant to specific migration programmes.

• Proactively identify internal policy and procedural needs.

• Prepare programme resource materials, ensuring that the information is impartial, informed by research, law and policy, in line with Red Cross Movement principles.

• Ensure materials are developed with complete technical accuracy, to a high communication standard, for multiple programme scenarios, and using ‘plain English’ guidance.

• Work within existing programme policy development protocols and procedures, particularly with regards to formal levels of approval, version control and document templating.

• Provide training for colleagues, creating awareness of programme policy and standards, and protection best practice.

• Support the operationalisation of such policies and procedures.

• When required, support the Migration Office and Team Administrator and the RFL Programme Support Officer in responding to relevant complex stakeholder queries, formulating accurate and timely organisational responses and templates.

• Support Communications and Information and Outreach colleagues with the development of information materials requiring technical guidance.

• Engage with the wider Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement on best practice.

• Ensure work related tasks and activities comply with required internal and external policies and procedures

Policy

• Facilitate the collection of feedback on draft internal programme policies and procedures from relevant management staff.

Other

• Work actively towards the achievement of the Irish Red Cross goals.

• Abide by and uphold the Principles of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.

• Undertake any other reasonable work-related duties and responsibilities assigned by the line manager that are consistent with the nature of the job and level of responsibility.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Essential Criteria

• Third level qualification in relevant fields preferably in policy, law or international development.

• Three years’ experience working in the migration sector, preferably in the provision of services in refugee support.

• Proven organisational skills with strong attention to detail.

• Knowledge and understanding of migration legislation and policy.

• Experience in drafting internal policies and procedures.

• Strong experience in preparing written and other resource materials.

• Ability to work efficiently as part of a team as well as independently.

• Interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work across multi-disciplinary teams.

• Ability to maintain strict compliance protecting confidential, sensitive information and materials.

• Fluent levels of English, written and conversational.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of the work of the Irish Red Cross and the fundamental principles. 

• Understanding of protection best practice.

• Experience in humanitarian operations.

• Ability to speak additional languages e.g. Arabic, Somali, Dari and Pashto, would be an advantage. 

FURTHER INFORMATION

The Irish Red Cross offers the following benefits in addition to salary

• Up to 5% employers' matching contribution to a company contributory pension scheme. Closure of the office on Good Friday, plus two additional ‘privilege days’ to be used at Easter and Christmas respectively.

• Death in Service benefit of four times salary

• Flexible working hours, including opportunities for hybrid working.

• Further education, training and learning supports

• Professional subscriptions (as applicable)

• Travel (bike-to-work schemes/tax saver commuter tickets)

The Irish Red Cross is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and aspire to reflect this in our workforce. We welcome applications for people from all sections of the community, irrespective of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community.

This role requires applicants to have the right to work in Ireland.

The role is a full-time position based on a 35-hour working week, based on flexitime arrangements.  Work outside of normal office hours maybe required and time off in-lieu is provided.

This role is based at our Head Office in Dublin. Requests for remote working may be considered.  

The closing date for applications is 6pm 26th June 2026.

Shortlisting for interview will be on the basis of the essential and desirable criteria for this role.