Policy and Advocacy Officer Location: Pretoria, South Africa Closing date: 22 October 2011 Starting date: asap Reference: ICCO-PAO-RSA
About ICCO ICCO is the Interchurch Organisation for Development Co-operation and Kerk in Actie is part of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. Together they provide financial support and advice to local organisations and networks throughout the world that are dedicated to improving access to basic services, stimulating sustainable economic development and advancing peace and democracy. In the region Southern Africa, ICCO works in South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Madagascar. For this region, a Regional Office has been set up in Pretoria, South Africa.
Mission Talent Recruitment has been tasked by ICCO with providing an exclusive search for the position of a Policy and Advocacy Officer ICCO (Malawi).
Purpose of Position This post will proactively drive the policy, and advocacy work of ICCO in Southern Africa. It will assist programme officers and partners to develop and deliver effective policy advocacy strategies for agreed priority issues to targets in the Southern Africa region. It will be part of ICCO’s Regional Office Southern Africa and based in the joint Policy and Advocacy Office in Pretoria.
Responsibilities
Responsible for developing, managing and implementing ICCO lobby and advocacy policies and strategies towards key stakeholders and decision makers and in putting into Southern Africa and Global strategies. Contribute to the capacity building and empowerment of partners aimed at influencing policies and practices in Southern Africa. Responsible for facilitating and encouraging the engagement of partners and allies in relevant Southern African program policy networks and in the public domain. Responsible for supporting and training ICCO staff in ICCO’s Regional Office, in the fields of policy and advocacy. Tasks
Train staff of ICCO RO Southern Africa in the fields of policy advocacy. Contribute to policy and strategy formulation of ICCO RO Southern Africa in the fields of policy and advocacy. Train, advise and facilitate (coalitions of) partners in the fields of policy and advocacy. Ensure that proper evidence-based research and documentation is carried out. Ensure that key partners are strengthened to influence policy makers and engage in effective lobby and advocacy towards major players (companies, national and local governments, etc) and where relevant regional bodies such as SADC, NEPAD and the African Union. Contribute to development of clear and timely policy positions for standing and emerging issues. Contribute to information and knowledge sharing so that programme policy sharing is improved, understood and communicated. Develop and maintain close connections with ICCO Utrecht. Develop and maintain close cooperation and joint initiatives with sister organizations (NCA, CA, CoS, ACT, other). Participate in relevant networks and alliances in Southern Africa and where relevant beyond. Meaningfully relate the work in policy lobby and advocacy to the other roles of ICCO, e.g. strategic financing, capacity development and brokerage. Contribute to development of ICCO country and regional plans. Overall Job Objective
ICCO Southern Africa regional office and its partners, are supported in research/documentation, development, implementation and monitoring of policy, and advocacy issues. Country, regional or continental staff are trained and supported in order to shape and implement ICCO lobby and advocacy strategies, rooted in our programmatic work with partners. Relevant lead partners and allies are assisted in their response to policy debates and opportunities for influence Links with policy and lobby at regional and international level with ICCO Utrecht are established and maintained. Coordination and joint lobby and advocacy initiatives with sister organisations (NCA, CA, CoS, ACT) are effected. Qualifications, Capabilities/Skills and Experience
A graduate qualification in development issues coupled with years of experience or a postgraduate qualification Good knowledge of the social, economic and political situation of the SADC region Substantial regional experience in a relevant (thematic) field Experience in the field of Policy and Advocacy Broad knowledge of international development issues Negotiation skills Networking and facilitating skills Training and facilitation skills Good communication skills, including intercultural communication and communication with ecumenical actors Excellent language skills in English. Skills in French or Portuguese would be an added advantage How to apply Since ICCO Malawi has tasked Mission Talent to undertake this search, all applications must be sent directly to Ketso: applications@missiontalent.com stating ICCO-PAO-RSA in the subject line. Kindly attach your relevant CV (in English) and a suitability statement (not more than 350 words).
Thank you in advance for your interest in this position. Please note that only candidates under serious consideration can be contacted.
ICCO is a member of the ACT Alliance.
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