Policy & Advocacy Advisor Somalia
40 hours/week
Start date: August 1st 2011 (or asp)
Location: Nairobi office, family posting
All Oxfam’s work in Somalia is supported and implemented by the two Oxfam affiliates working in Somalia: Oxfam Novib and Oxfam GB. Their work span across all three territories of Somalia – South Central, Puntland and Somaliland – and across all types of interventions: humanitarian, long-term development, lobby & advocacy and media work. Oxfam works primarily through local partners in Somalia. Due to the instable and insecure situation in most of the country, Oxfam operates its programme from neighbouring Nairobi, plus from a small office in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Oxfam is considered one of the leading policy and advocacy organizations in Somalia and because of our successful media and lobbying is often cited by international news agencies and decision- and
policy-makers around the globe.
The Policy & Advocacy Advisor is considered to be the Policy Lead for Oxfam on all lobby, advocacy and campaign issues. Our work in Somalia has both a strong humanitarian and developmental focus. The post holder will be expected to continue the highly successful lobby and advocacy work built up over the past few years. There are advocacy and media strategies in place and Oxfam often leads multi-agency lobby initiatives. The post holder will be expected to be able to engage at senior level with policy-makers at governments, donors and other stakeholders, and also proactively and strongly within Oxfam International.
Purpose of the position
To analyse the national/regional political, and socio-economic and humanitarian context and developments in Somalia. With a view on the humanitarian (Rights in Crisis) campaigning and lobby agendas, identify external national to global stakeholders to adopt and implement the policy positions of Oxfam and key civil society actors. To assist/advise partner organizations in developing their lobby, advocacy and campaigning activities.
expectations
General
- to develop, update, lead on implementation and monitor the Oxfam Rights in Crisis campaign in Somalia, which concentrates on issues of protection, assistance and peace building. To act as the Oxfam Lead on Lobby and Advocacy for Somalia;
- to undertake and oversee research and to contribute to regular analytical reports, briefing papers, sitreps and other communication on relevant political/economic developments in Somalia, the region and globally, and on advocacy efforts of Oxfam and its counterparts to internal and external stakeholders;
- to assist countryteams , particularly Programme Officers, to identify partnerneeds in the area of advocacy and lobby, and to ensure that partners are represented effectively in Oxfam’s campaigning initiatives;
- to contribute to Oxfam annual and/or quarterly planning and reporting to meeting Rights in Crisis objectives;
- to represent Oxfam to external policy and/or media stakeholders;
- to take steps to promote greater opportunities for Somali voices to be heard. To facilitate capacity building and involvement of all Oxfam partners in research, analysis, policy development and advocacy;
- to act as focalpoint on behalf of the Oxfamteam and to lead, design, coordinate and monitor the Oxfam humanitarian policy and advocacy strategy and activities at country, regional and global level in collaboration with other Oxfams and partners;
- to develop and contribute to joint advocacy and lobby efforts before, during and after a crisis, and in line with Oxfam agreed standards and the campaigns policy framework with potentially global impact;
- to build relationships with relevant government and UN officials and with other relevant stakeholders including international and local NGOs.
Contacts
Internal
- With the Oxfam Country Director for Somalia, as line manager, addressing issues related to overall tasks;
- with sector specialists and programme officers of the field office and other relevant staff with other Oxfams, at HQ (specifically lobby staff) and within OI, regarding safeguarding content coherence between the country programme and general OI policies;
- with other Oxfam affiliates, to liaise in developing joint policy lines and positionsl;
- coordinate with the Rights in Crisis team;
- coordinate with the Rights in Crisis Campaigns Management Team via the ON representative (Aim 3 Programme Manager);
- coordinate with non-RiC development team.
External
- With stakeholders such as international organizations, and local and international civil society organizations, to advocate and keep them informed regarding policy positions;
- with (inter)national politicians, civil servants, business representatives, press, and people interested, to inform on the policy positions and create and increase a support-base;
- when appropriate and time allowing, with capacity building and training institutes and consultants for capacity strengthening of partners.
job requirements
Required skills and Competences: (E) = Essential (D) = Desirable
- Experience of policy and advocacy work at local, national and international levels (E);
- experience of complex, multi dimensional policy environments preferably within larger NGOs (E);
- understanding and experience of Somalia’s complex and evolving political, humanitarian, and development situation (D);
- knowledge and understanding of protection issues, humanitarian assistance, food security, aid effectiveness, and peace and security concerns (E);
- experience of managing complex working groups and multiple tasks with the ability to engage in innovative and strategic thinking (D);
- excellent research, analysis and report writing skills (E);
- proven ability to communicate with a wide range of actors and audiences (E);
- ability to build relationships with a variety of stakeholders at a number of different levels (E);
- ability to prioritise key issues and analyse their impact on the policy environment (E);
- experience of managing others to produce research and analysis outputs (D);
- ability to travel both nationally and internationally (E);
- proven track record and commitment to development or humanitarian affairs (E);
- flexibility to work in a challenging and pressurised environment (E);
- ability to work and lead within a cross-affiliate team;
- fluent in English (E); Knowledge of Somali and Dutch an advantage.
remuneration and benefits
We offer
Salary Oxfam Novib scale 9, from € 2.562, - to € 3.941, - per month excl. holiday fee, based on relevant work experience. Oxfam Novib has a competitive package of labour conditions, international allowances and conditions apply.
application
Are you interested in this position?
Please send your application in English in writing, including a motivational cover letter and curriculum vitae and mentioning reference number 5-1111 to jobs@oxfamnovib.nl, before June 8, 2011.
Further information about the job can be obtained from Robbert van den Berg, Regional Manager for the Horn of Africa, +31 70 3421 836 or Norbert Abachi, interim Manager Field Office Nairobi, +254-72575301. For information about the procedure you can contact Patricia Vermeulen, HR Consultant, +31 70 3421 633.
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