Policy, Advocacy & Communications Manager

Save the Children is seeking a qualified candidate to fulfil the following vacancy in its Ramallah Office:

Position: Policy, Advocacy and Communications Manager

Position Ref.: SCI/ PAC/2018

NOTE: The deadline is extended to August 4, 2018 due to the following reason:

The application system for SCI was facing technical problems in receiving applications for people that submitted their application during the period July 12 – July 15.  We are encouraging people who applied in this duration to re-apply. The applications received during the period July 16 – July 31 are in our system.

The role: The purpose of the role is to manage the external policy analysis and advocacy strategy development for the Country Office (CO), primarily supporting in child protection in emergencies and EiE programming, and humanitarian space/operational space issues.  The role will support the SMT in risk mapping, mitigation and management on issues identified as most relevant for the CO, and develop policy analysis and strategic planning in response to those issues.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Working with the Country Director and the Senior Management Team (SMT)

• Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects the full programming spectrum (humanitarian and development) values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, and supports staff to deliver outstanding results for children.
• Ensure that all required support is provided promptly, during emergencies or times of humanitarian crisis.
• Develop risk mitigation management plans or analysis and related essential communications in response to ESMT, regional office, center Headquarters (HQ), or Member identified risks to the delivery of quality programs for children.

Advocacy Strategy Development and Implementation

• Revise, strengthen and implement the Country Office advocacy strategy, identify policy and practice change, on the basis of Save the Children’s experience, that would promote and protect the rights of children in the oPt.
• Based on Save the Children (SC) program priorities, and identified priority issues for children, develop key advocacy messages and identify targets from lessons learned, assessments, research and evidence gained through project implementation.
• Develop and implement advocacy objectives and initiatives, both short and long term, encompassing a wide range of issues and audiences.
• Ensure that voices of children are integral to SC’s advocacy.
• Acquire information and understanding of social policy and adapt strategies as necessary.
• Maintain a strategic overview of issues effecting children’s rights in the oPt, monitoring trends in the external environment and inputting and/or leading as required to organisational strategy and planning processes, in coordination with other team members.
• Ensure a robust overview, ongoing analysis, and development of key messages around protecting children in conflict issues with the particular focus on education and protection, movement and access, humanitarian and operational space issues affecting Save the Children’s ability to deliver quality programs for children.
• Keep a watching brief on policy makers and other key players in relation to children’s rights issues and identify opportunities to raise awareness and influence policy change.

Influencing

• Develop good knowledge of local and national government structures (in Palestine and in key Member capitals), parliamentary and political processes and key decision-making structures and how to influence them.
• Undertake a range of lobbying, communications and other activities to inform and persuade policy makers, including donors and politicians, of the value of SC’s policy recommendations.
• Build systems for research, analysis and documentation that underpin evidence based advocacy and influencing at national and international levels.
• Develop dissemination and communication strategies for key advocacy messages, together with the communications team.
• Produce or manage the production of reports, briefing papers and presentations for internal and external audiences, as directed.

Coordination & Representation

• Develop and cultivate strategic relationships with other agencies engaged in advocacy and policy work in the oPt.
• Lead the EiE Advocacy Working Group, supported by the Education Specialist, in support of Save the Children’s commitment to the Advocacy core cluster area, and provide effective engagement with the HCT AWG.
• Lead Save the Children’s engagement with the AIDA AWG and the HCT AWG, promoting or ensuring inclusion of Save the Children prioritized child rights issues in these essential coalition fora.
• Develop and maintain a network of external contacts with key individuals in the government, donors, NGO sector, civil society and the media.
• Represent SC at various policy forums and advocacy opportunities at national and international levels, as directed.
• Act as a spokesperson for SC to a variety of external audiences including policy makers and the media, as directed.
• Liaise closely with staff in the Policy and Communication units within the Global Initiatives, and other fora to integrate and coordinate policy change initiatives throughout SCI members.
• Develop strong links with the Members programmes for advocacy / awareness raising globally.

Communications and Programme Support

• Support programme leadership to articulate their top priority advocacy or communications objectives in line with the Country Office Strategic Plan
• Manage the communications staff/team, ensure delivery of high quality communications and documentation support to the CO and programs.
• Ensure development of the CO communications strategy, towards donors (working with the RMM) and other external stakeholders.
• Ensure proper planning and engagement in program proposals around communications, branding and visibility.
• Support the specialists and implementation team/s in defining and articulating thematic policy change objectives.
• Ensure clear links and mutual reinforcement between programmatic approaches and CO communications, and links external advocacy strategies where appropriate.
• Write regular progress reports as needed, to keep the CO and regional team updated, and contribute to the Regional advocacy updates for the HAWG and/or GPAC as required.
• Ensure that SC responds appropriately to emergencies, providing policy analysis and support around humanitarian space issues, and support the communications focal point to meet emergency communications requirements, including sitreps, fact sheets, updates and other required products.
• Perform other tasks as required to ensure the smooth running of the country programme.

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Qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree in Social Science, Journalism & Media or related field or a minimum of 8 years demonstrated experience in progressively responsible positions at senior management levels.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• At least 5 years experience in a humanitarian or development environment, preferably leading advocacy and policy change in the Middle East.
• Substantial experience in successfully leading the development of policy change analyses and implementation of advocacy strategies towards clearly articulated policy change agendas.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead research, surveys and other activities oriented towards developing positions and evidence base.
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
• Fluency in English and English writing and presentation skills required
• Excellent skills in advocating towards government officials.
• Strong skills in developing and implementing advocacy strategies.
• Good attention to detail.
• Extensive knowledge of child rights and international humanitarian law.
• Understanding of UN and donor operations at country level.
• High-level analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships quickly with a wide variety of people.
• Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure.
• Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities.
• Advanced understanding of Protection issues arising from a conflict setting, impact on protected populations, and implications for humanitarian aid agencies.
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies.
• Commitment to Save the Children values.

Desirable

• Experience working for an international humanitarian organisation in oPt (or the Middle East) preferred.
• Proven skills in media work, including interviews on Radio and TV.
• Experience with programs, program development, proposal writing, or implementation a plus.
• Experience in coordination of various stakeholders a plus.
• Experience solving complex issues through analysis.
• High Fluency in writing and presentation skills in Arabic.
• Has a strong international network within advocacy and policy settings.
• Understanding of the issues concerning the INGO sector with an in-depth knowledge in communications, marketing and/or fundraising.
• Demonstrable track record of leading change, resulting in significant results for the organisation and their stakeholders.
• Strong results orientation.

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 120 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the rights of children and to ensure their voices are heard.  

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Applications should be submitted to the Apply Now Option on the website, please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please make sure to mention the position ref. in the subject.  The selection committee will review all applications as they are received. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered.

Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.