Consultancy Humanitarian Diplomacy Advisor

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Description

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The Humanitarian Diplomacy Initiative (HDI) was created in February 2023, led by Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and the Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine as an initial way for NGOs to begin engaging with Member States on promoting better civilian protection and humanitarian access outcomes. Today, the membership also includes the Danish Refugee Council.  The HDI focuses on coordinated humanitarian diplomacy with other international actors, including the UN and the ICRC.

Following the Fifth Ukraine Senior Officials Meeting held in Brussels in January 2025,  which included the participation of Gulf States involved in direct mediation, there is a strategic necessity to enhance engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Member States. This engagement will focus on deepening the understanding of Gulf states’ humanitarian and political structures, identifying humanitarian and other relevant units where applicable, and engaging in sustained dialogue and cooperation.

To achieve this, Mercy Corps seeks a consultancy service to conduct a comprehensive stakeholder mapping, organise convenings, and develop an external engagement strategy targeting the GCC Member States institutions, specifically in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This consultancy will take over 75 working days between May and August 2025. 

Objectives

The primary objectives of this consultancy are to: 

• Conduct a stakeholder mapping exercise to identify and assess key actors within the humanitarian and policy landscapes of Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi as primary capitals. The analysis will map out different state units, and/or structures’ mandates, interests, and levels of influence.
• Based on the stakeholder analysis, the consultant will design a clear, time-bound engagement strategy to strengthen humanitarian diplomacy and cooperation with key Gulf actors. This strategy will outline priority entry points, tailored approaches for different stakeholders, and mechanisms to enhance collaboration.  
• To translate engagement efforts into tangible outcomes, the consultant will develop and execute an action plan with measurable milestones, ensuring sustained interaction with GCC stakeholders. They will provide concrete recommendations on enhancing humanitarian diplomacy through a series of actions, presenting a roadmap for continued engagement, and ensuring long-term impact and institutional buy-in. 
• The consultant will proactively establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, positioning Mercy Corps as a trusted thought partner. They will organise and facilitate a series of online meetings and at least two high-level (ambassadorial, general directorates, ministerial, royal courts) meetings during their assignment, ensuring strategic dialogues that foster trust, mutual understanding, and long-term cooperation. The consultant will act as a bridge, leveraging diplomatic networks and cultivating sustained dialogue and partnerships. 

Scope of Work and Deliverables: 

• Stakeholder mapping report outlining a comprehensive analysis of key state institutions/units/directorates, their mandate, interests, influence, and engagement recommendations. 
• Based on the stakeholder mapping, develop a strategic engagement strategy, including a roadmap detailing engagement priorities, entry points, and engagement approaches, as well as recommendations for sustained policy cooperation and robust partnerships. 
• The organisation and facilitation of a series of online meetings and follow-up correspondence throughout the reporting period and at least two in-person high-level strategic meetings/convenings with key stakeholders to ensure future engagement and cooperation (including but not limited to the prospect of entering a Memorandum of Understanding, establishing direct, private briefing channels, etc.) 

Minimum requirements:

• At least 10 years of proven experience in multilateralism, diplomacy, or humanitarian engagement within the Gulf region, with a strong focus on Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi;
• Proven understanding of the ways of working of different GCC capitals, including their institutional cultures, their approach to international cooperation and multilateralism, and strategic regional and global priorities;
• A proven track record of establishing and maintaining relationships and facilitating high-level (ambassadorial, general directorates, ministerial, royal courts, etc.) private or public events and discussions;
• Ability to develop and execute engagement strategies effectively, leveraging diplomatic channels to strengthen humanitarian cooperation;
• A strong and updated network of relationships and contacts across the Gulf region, particularly in Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi;
• Cultural sensitivity and the ability to navigate complex political and social environments and situations with diplomacy and discretion;
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and adapt quickly to evolving diplomatic and humanitarian contexts.

Source: https://jobs.jobvite.com/mercycorps/job/ooPwvfwY

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