Advocacy Officer

Background:

ACT Alliance is a global faith-based coalition organized in national and regional forums operating in in127 countries. ACT Alliance goal is to promote a locally led and coordinated approach to advocacy, humanitarian and developmental issues. It’s a global alliance of 145 churches and church related organizations. Members of the Alliance are committed to working towards a world community where all God’s creation lives with dignity, justice, peace and full respect for human rights and the environment.

ACT Alliance has national, sub-regional and regional forums, it’s a unique feature of the alliance. They are the meeting point where all ACT members operating in specific countries and regions come together as equals to work collaboratively on humanitarian response, sustainable development and advocacy initiatives and programmes, linking with local churches and organisations as key partners in advancing this work. To meet the needs of those ACT Alliance seeks to serve, ACT Forums establish mechanisms to work in a cohesive and effective way, working under the same principles and standards, and upholding accountability in all dimensions. ACT Palestine Forum (APF) is one of ACT Alliance Forums, established in Palestine in 2008.

APF currently running an appeal “https://actalliance.org/appeals-rapid-response-funds/occupied-palestinian-territories-act-palestine-forum-emergency-response-in-the-occupied-palestinian-territories-gaza-conflict-pse231/ ” to responding to the humanitarian needs and the rights of the Palestinians affected by the war on Gaza, both inside Gaza strip and in West Bank including East Jerusalem, trying to offer lifesaving and dignity restoring services. The appeal is a joint effort of APF members in coordination and cooperation with ACT MENA Region in Amman – Jordan and ACT Secretariate in Geniva.

APF is launching this job vacancy seek hiring a qualified local Palestinian person to fill the post of Advocacy Officer, based on the following Terms of Reference:

Overview:

The Advocacy Officer will play a crucial role in promoting the mission and activities of ACT Palestine Forum (APF) which dedicated to providing life-saving services and protecting the rights of the Palestinians impacted by the War on Gaza. This position involves developing and implementing advocacy strategies, managing media relations, and contribute to the enhancing the visibility and impact of APF’s appeal.

The Advocacy Officer will work under the general guidelines of an assigned steering committee representing APF’s members participating in ACT Gaza Appeal, and under the direct supervision and leadership of the Executive Director of the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees ofThe Middle East Council of Churches. 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Advocacy Strategy Development and Implementation

• Develop and implement comprehensive advocacy strategies to advance the APF's mission, goals especially current Gaza appeal.
• Identify key policy issues impacting the people affected by the war on Gaza and develop appropriate advocacy campaigns.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, stakeholders, and partner organizations on behalf of APF, with full cooperation and coordination with the advocacy staff and representatives of APF Member organizations.
• Managing relations with donors of the ACT Appeal and providing the needed advocacy and communication materials.
• Liaise with the ACT Alliance Global Advocacy and Development Manager, the ACT Alliance Representative to the UN in New York as well as the ACT EU Middle East Policy Officer to maximise local/regional/global advocacy opportunities such as UN Israel-Palestine Working Group.
• Liaise with relevant ACT Alliance members working on Palestine to ensure a good use/support to existing resources and opportunitiesas well as adequate input to resources that are being developed by others in relation to Palestine.

2. Media Relations

• Serve as the primary contact for media and information inquiries.
• Collect and update audio and visual information and media related materials from ACT members, mainly from those members participating in Gaza Appeal.
• Contribute to developing and distributing updates, press releases, media advisories, photos, short videos and other communication materials after approval.
• Foster relationships with journalists and media outlets to secure coverage of the organization's work.

3. Communication Management

• Create and disseminate content across various platforms, including ACT Global and ACT EU accounts, as well as the APF members' website, social media, newsletters, and print materials.
• Ensure that all communications are consistent with APF’s message, as a Christian network seeking justice and peace.
• Contribute to developing and implementing a social media strategy to engage and grow APF's online community.

4. Content Creation

• Write, edit, and produce compelling content that highlights the impact of APF's work, with focus on APF’s Gaza Appeal.
• Coordinate with the relevant staff of the APF member to gather stories and data for use in communications materials.
• Produce reports, draft statements and resolutions and other publications as needed.

5. Event Planning and Coordination

• Plan and coordinate advocacy events, press conferences, and public speaking engagements.
• Assists APF in planning, and participates in meetings, delegates and visitors to APF and promptly covers their visits and reports about it through social media and media reports, using all available media tools.
• Assist the APF members in fundraising related activities.
• Participate in APF’s events and forums.

6. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Submit a general and detailed action plan/s and ensure implementation after the approval of the relevant reference.
• Track and analyze the effectiveness of advocacy and communication efforts.
• Provide regular reports on media coverage, social media, and other relevant indicators.
• Ensure respecting the rights and privacy of the rights holders in all the information and images shared.
• Adjust strategies based on feedback and performance data.

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Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
• Demonstrate ecumenical commitment and familiarity with the structured life of the churches and of the ecumenical movement.
• Extensive knowledge of human rights systems, international law, and international humanitarian law. This includes an understanding of the principles, frameworks, and mechanisms that govern human rights protection and the application of international legal standards in various contexts, particularly in situations of armed conflict and humanitarian crises.
• Commitment to the mission, values and the narrative of the APF as a Christian coalition consists of Churches and Church related organizations.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in advocacy and awareness raising, preferably within a non-profit or humanitarian organization.
• Excellent English and Arabic language written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively.
• Good experience in social media platforms and digital communication tools.
• Experience in content creation, including writing, editing, and multimedia production.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Solid knowledge of humanitarian standards (CHS and Sphere Standard)
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is required; proficiency in additional languages is an asset.

Personal Attributes:

• Passionate about advocating for the rights, well-being, safety and security of marginalized people, with special focus on the people impacted by the war on Gaza.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Creative and strategic thinker with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Resilient and able to work under pressure in challenging environments.

Work location and other related point:

• This location of this job is based in Jerusalem, the candidate should have the ability to reach the workplace and conduct field visits.
• The successful candidate will be contracted for 18 months with a potential extension for long term contract, subject to performance and funds availability.
• The successful candidate will receive a job offer and detailed contract includes all human resources related matters.

Qualified applications should include a cover letter, reflecting motivation; a CV, including three references; and contact details, the latest on 27th of June 2024. Please send applications to [email protected]

Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted no later than 4th  of July 2024, in order to come for a face-to-face interview with the recruitment committee.