Policy Advisor

Oxfam is committed to ridding the world of poverty. We have a conviction that people are well capable of building a livelihood without poverty on their own, once given the chance to do so. Which is why we support local projects in developing countries, why we lobby governments and companies to take into account the interests of the poorest people, and why we campaign to involve the public also in our work. Within the Oxfam confederation we work together as 17 Oxfam affiliates, with the final aim to end the injustice of poverty.
Oxfam is searching for a
 

Policy Advisor, OPTI

Based in Jerusalem

Fulltime contract for one year (with possibility of renewals)
Start date: Jan 15, 2014
 
Local context:
Around the world people are fighting for their rights. Oxfam supports them in this by strengthening local organizations and campaigning for just policies. Among Oxfam affiliates active in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel (OPTI), Oxfam Novib has the role of leading Oxfam’s work, including advocacy and media. Our advocacy is both local and international because poverty and injustice are global problems and are related to unjust economic and political relationships.
 
Purpose of the job:
In collaboration with all Oxfam affiliates and partners, you will lead and coordinate all of Oxfam’s global policy, advocacy and campaigning work related to OPTI.
The position holder reports to the Country director, OPTI.
 
Main tasks and responsibilities:
The Policy Lead will coordinate closely on the following tasks with the OPTI Country Leadership Team, the media lead for OPTI and the Program Governance Group (PGG) for the Middle East and Maghreb, Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union (MEMAG/EEFSU):
-Advocacy strategy & action plan: as Oxfam policy lead for OPTI, lead development of, update and implement with other Oxfam affiliates the advocacy strategy and 6-month action plans for OPTI, addressing the causes of the conflict and its humanitarian consequences for civilians, analyzing power relations and identifying advocacy opportunities;
-Policy advice & development: Within the agreed Oxfam advocacy strategy, develop Oxfam policies in relation to OPTI; draft policy documents for lobbyists, advocacy and media officers; and support the Country Director and the MEMAG PGG Chair with policy advice;
-Strategic steer & coordination: take the lead in organizing and coordinating lobbyists across Oxfam affiliates and in different countries; coordinate with the wider Oxfam coordination structure on Rights in Crisis, feeding in OPTI information to global advocacy as needed; Support the Country Director and the MEMAG PGG Chair in building consensus among Oxfam affiliates on policies, and coordinating internal sign-off process on all OPTI policy issues relevant to the conflict;
-Lobbying & networking: Lobby and maintain contact with diplomatic representatives and other relevant bodies based in the OPT and Israel. Share information from lobby meetings with Oxfam lobbyists addressing OPTI globally. Maintain close relations and coordinate advocacy with other international NGOs, AIDA and UN agencies in the OPT;
-Contingency planning & emergency response: Working with the Humanitarian Programme Manager, Media Lead and other relevant staff, contribute to Oxfam’s contingency planning from policy and advocacy perspective. In emergency peaks, coordinate the Oxfam advocacy response;
-Cooperation with Oxfam partners: To degree possible, advise, liaise with and/or facilitate advice to a diverse network of Oxfam partner organisations in their advocacy efforts and contribute to strengthening the link between Oxfam advocacy and the programs of partners;
-Communication & media: Provide policy advice to media lead, Country Director and MEMAG PGG Chair on communication & media work underpinning advocacy efforts;
-Information management: Ensure OPTI advocacy documents are made accessible on Oxfam intranet and shared appropriately within and outside Oxfam;
-Coordinate, coach and matrix manage a team of four policy staff based at OPTI.
 
Requirements
-You have a relevant education at academic level, preferably in an international development-related field (international law, political science, development studies);
-You can demonstrate strong experience (ideally 5 years or more) in advocacy, media and communication on humanitarian and conflict related issues, preferably in a leading position; in addition, broad understanding of other relevant thematic areas (human rights/protection, livelihoods, health & education, gender, among others);
-You have direct experience working with non-governmental organizations, good insight into their management systems, and are knowledgeable about the contribution they can make in development and in strengthening civil society;
-You have experience and skills in capacity-building (especially humanitarian advocacy, media, communication) and are able to respectfully work with and accompany local partners;
-Knowledge of OPT/Israel is essential, ideally in the field & in Europe/US; knowledge of international law desirable;
-Excellent English is essential; good knowledge of spoken and written Arabic is desirable; Hebrew is an asset;
-You are an effective and persuasive communicator and have strong writing skills; you have strong analytical skills;
-You are able to negotiate effectively among diverging viewpoints; understand political sensitivities of various parties in relation to Israeli Palestinian conflict;
-You have demonstrated leadership skills and experience with coordinating various actors based in different places around the world;
-You work well in a team and have outstanding diplomatic, social and intercultural skills.
 
Salary
A competitive, fair and comprehensive pay and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors. We offer a gross salary in the range from € 2.896,- to € 4.456,- on the basis of a 40 hour working week. This is excl. 8% holiday fee, additional expat allowances will be offered.
 
Application procedure
Applications in writing (English) with full curriculum vitae to [email protected], to the attention of Ewa van den Berg, International HR Advisor, quoting reference number 5-6317 before November 12, 2013. Further information on the position available from Nishant Pandey, Country Director,
[email protected]

 
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
 
-See more at: http://www.oxfamnovib.nl/Pub/jobs/Policy-Advisor,-OPTI.html#sthash.Vz4P0exW.dpuf

Jobs.ps, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.