Policy Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by the INGO Forum, which is a collective of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) operating in Myanmar. The organization aims to strengthen the collective voice of INGOs and enhance their engagement in humanitarian and development efforts in the country. The INGO Forum focuses on advocacy, coordination, and information sharing among its members to address the complex challenges faced in Myanmar's aid landscape. The organization is committed to promoting principled humanitarian action and ensuring that the needs of affected populations are met effectively. The INGO Forum collaborates with various stakeholders, including UN agencies, local NGOs, and other aid actors, to influence policies and practices that impact humanitarian response and development efforts in Myanmar. The organization has been active in Myanmar for several years and continues to adapt its strategies to the evolving context of the country.

Job Overview:
The Policy Coordinator will play a pivotal role in leading the Myanmar INGO Forum’s joint policy efforts. This position is crucial for supporting coordination among INGO members to enhance coherent and principled engagement in Myanmar’s complex aid landscape. The Policy Coordinator will be responsible for identifying and researching priority issues driven by member organizations, translating these into collective analyses, policy positions, and advocacy products. This role requires a deep understanding of the political, humanitarian, and operational developments in Myanmar, as well as the ability to engage effectively with key stakeholders, including the UN, donors, and national NGOs. The Policy Coordinator will also lead the development and implementation of a collective advocacy plan, ensuring that the Forum's positions are evidence-based and represent member consensus. This position demands strong strategic thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills to foster collaboration among diverse organizations and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Policy Coordinator include:

• Strategic Advocacy: Engage with INGOs to develop collective positions through talking points, private papers, and briefings. Coordinate the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data from INGOs to ensure common positions are accurate and effective. Lead the development and implementation of a collective advocacy plan for the INGO Forum, in coordination with the Secretariat and Forum members. Maintain an overview of political, humanitarian, and operational developments in Myanmar to identify opportunities for proactive collective advocacy.
• Coordination: Lead policy discussions with other policy representatives of Forum members, ensuring alignment with strategic opportunities for influence. Collaborate with the INGO Forum Secretariat and relevant working groups to track common operational and policy issues and support advocacy initiatives. Establish strong working relationships with counterparts in aid agencies, including UN agencies and INGOs, to align priorities and ensure timely advocacy initiatives.
• Representation and Communication: Represent the INGO Forum in relevant policy and coordination fora, presenting collective positions and reporting back to Forum members. Liaise with external advocacy partners to ensure cohesion and alignment of priorities at regional and international levels. Support the dissemination of key products and updates to INGOs.
• General Support: Assist with notetaking, internal communication, and other Secretariat functions as needed. Contribute to donor proposals and reports as requested.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Policy Coordinator position include:

• A university degree in development studies, humanitarian affairs, political science, or other relevant social sciences.
• At least 3 years of working experience in policy, coordination, and information management, preferably within an operational NGO or NGO coordination forum.
• Prior experience in humanitarian, development, or peacebuilding sectors, with knowledge of international issues related to humanitarian response and development.
• Demonstrated experience in successful influencing and advocacy work, including policy development and information provision in humanitarian and development contexts.
• Excellent writing, editing, and analytical skills, with the ability to formulate well-targeted briefing papers and strategic documents.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills, with the ability to build consensus among diverse organizations and stakeholders.
• Ability to work proactively and independently, following through on tasks and responsibilities in a detail-oriented manner with limited supervision.
• Knowledge of the context in Myanmar is highly desirable, along with an understanding of humanitarian principles and relevant international legal and policy frameworks, including International law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Humanitarian Law.
• Understanding of UN and donor operations at the country and regional level.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Policy Coordinator position includes a university degree related to development studies, humanitarian affairs, political science, or other relevant social sciences. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of humanitarian and development issues, as well as the policy landscape in which INGOs operate. A strong academic background will equip the candidate with the necessary analytical and critical thinking skills to effectively engage in policy discussions and advocacy efforts.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the Policy Coordinator position includes at least 3 years of working experience in policy, coordination, and information management. This experience should preferably be within an operational NGO or an NGO coordination forum. Candidates should have prior working experience in the humanitarian, development, or peacebuilding sectors, demonstrating a solid understanding of international issues related to humanitarian response and development. Successful candidates will have a proven track record of influencing and advocacy work, showcasing their ability to navigate complex policy environments and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for the Policy Coordinator position is English, with full professional proficiency necessary for effective communication and documentation. Additionally, knowledge of other languages relevant to the context in Myanmar may be considered advantageous, although not mandatory. Proficiency in local languages could enhance the candidate's ability to engage with local stakeholders and communities, thereby strengthening advocacy efforts and fostering collaboration.

Additional Notes:
The position is offered as a DRC Regular contract, which includes a 3-month probation period. The contract is renewable based on both funding availability and performance. The salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment. The position falls within Employment Band G, which is classified as non-management. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting their application in English, ensuring that they meet the specified deadline of 18 September 202

• It is important to note that applications consisting solely of a CV will not be considered, and candidates should be prepared for a rolling review process, as shortlisted candidates may be contacted for interviews or offers prior to the closing date.