OVERALL OBJECTIVE
The position of Somalia Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator will support a consistent integration of a human-rights based approach in all DRC Somalia community based activities.
BACKGROUND
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC aims at integrating its Somaliland, Puntland and South Central activities within a wider regional mixed migration programme, comprising the existing programmes in Kenya, Somalia (South Central, Puntland and Somaliland), Ethiopia and Yemen. The DRC Somalia programme operates within a regional framework (East Africa and the Horn) and incorporates three major components namely, long term community driven development, emergency urban/rural humanitarian interventions and advocacy.
DRC implements longer-term interventions targeted to the development of the economic and institutional capacities of selected communities in rural and semi-urban districts affected by displacement. Internally displaced people, returnees and other groups who are living in urban shanty settlements in abject poverty and with considerable protection gaps are assisted though emergency humanitarian interventions in water and sanitation as well as through income generation and protection activities. DRC advocates through traditional leaders for increased respect for international human rights, particularly for the increased respect of the rights of displaced people, refugees, migrants, women and children. An integral part of the advocacy programme is conflict resolution between disputing clans through traditional mechanisms.
Recognising the link between protection, security and livelihood opportunities, DRC wishes to strengthen community capacities within the area of community-based protection. DRC Somalia will increasingly be focusing on community empowerment and mobilisation – that is, capacity building of community based organisations, community development committees, civil society organisations and traditional organisations to enable them to freely exercise their rights to decide on the design, implementation and evaluation of their own development projects, including projects and initiatives relating to their own protection and security.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Capacity building and advisory support:
• Develop human rights training curriculums and modules and provide technical assistance with its implementation to authorities and beneficiaries.
• Develop staff capacities on the rights based approaches and participatory advocacy strategies through training, mentoring and coaching.
• Ensure technical quality of all outreach programmes in Somalia
Quality assurance:
• Ensure that the design and implementation of program activities carried out address rights based approach of internally displaced people, vulnerable populations, and affected populations, contributing to durable solutions.
• Advise on advocacy projects and provide guidance as needed.
• Create a strategic advocacy to be implemented in Somalia.
• Review advocacy methodologies, training, documentation, work plan and output to ensure compliance with DRC and international standards.
• Supervise the work of the heads of the Protection and Advocacy departments in Somalia – including assisting with budgets, reporting, and staff work plans.
• Ensure that quality assurance systems are developed and applied, with particular reference to the HAP Standard and applied throughout the programme
Information management:
• Develop and standardize advocacy tools to be used in Somalia.
• Analyse and report on relevance, outcomes and impact of DRC advocacy related activities to provide lessons learnt and to identify best-practice;
• Contribute to the implementation of the mass information campaign and information sharing activities related to mixed migration and protection;
Coordination and advocacy:
• Ensure coordination and harmonisation of DRC advocacy related activities - externally with other agencies and partners, and internally within the DRC regional programme
• Assist with coordination, technical guidance and monitoring of specific advocacy related activities within programmes
• Work closely with local authorities and/or national government, the country team, international organizations, and NGOs to advocate for humanitarian access and remedies and solutions to protection problems facing internally displaced people, vulnerable civilians, and other affected populations. Conduct mobilization campaigns, outreach and advocacy messages.
REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS
The Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator will report to the Deputy Country Director, Somalia.
QUALIFICATIONS
• University degree, preferably in Human Rights, International Law or related field. A Master degree in the same field will be desirable
• Extensive work experience within the field of human rights, particularly within the field of migrants/IDP/refugee protection
• Experience working with International NGO’s, UN agencies, line ministries and/or local authorities in migrants/refugee settings in complex emergencies
• Experience in participatory protection assessment and community-based protection activities
• Proven commitment to accountability and quality assurance
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills
• Experience with capacity building of national staff, and in convening and facilitating trainings and workshops
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective and working relations with local staff and other stakeholders
• Experience and willingness to work in the field
• Experience living and working in a cross-cultural, multi-sector, insecure, remote area environment, under team conditions
• Ability to work well under pressure and in adverse conditions
• Substantial project and people management skills and experience
• Experience with advocacy work and building relationships with community leaders and established structures
• English and language (written and spoken) essential, Somali an advantage
• Regional experience desirable
CONDITIONS
Availability: September 2011
Duty station: The duty station for this position is based in Hargeisa,Somaliland with travel to all accessible areas in Somalia. This is a non-family post.
Contract: One year with possibility of extension. Salary and other conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Field Recruited Expatriates recruited by the Horn of Africa (HOA) Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya
For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.
GENERAL
Commitments:
DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants should send a 1-page cover letter that clearly explains their motivation for applying, as well as why they are particularly suited to achieve the job responsibilities, together with their CV (not longer than 4 pages) to: drcjobs@drchoa.org. Please indicate “Advocacy & Outreach Coordinator” as the subject heading.
The deadline for applications is 31. August, 2011.
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