INGO Forum Advocacy Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization dedicated to helping people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and crises. Established to provide life-saving assistance and long-term support, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, employing around 15,000 staff members. In the Middle East alone, NRC has over 3,000 staff focused on aiding those affected by conflict in countries such as Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, and Palestine. NRC's interventions are grounded in its core competencies, which include Shelter, Education, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Livelihoods and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security, and Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA). The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employees are treated with respect and dignity, and it actively promotes a culture of empowerment and responsibility among its staff.

Job Overview:
The INGO Forum Advocacy Manager will play a crucial role in leading and coordinating advocacy, communications, and policy work for the Syria NGO Forum. This position requires a dynamic leader with extensive experience in humanitarian advocacy and policy development. The manager will serve as the focal point for external advocacy efforts, policy influencing, networking, and coalition building, all aimed at improving humanitarian outcomes for individuals affected by conflict and crises. The role involves close collaboration with the Policy and Advocacy Working Group (PAWG) and its Advisory Group, ensuring that the collective voice of NGOs is amplified through coherent and impactful advocacy strategies. The manager will be responsible for developing joint policy positions, designing advocacy strategies, and crafting messages that guide engagement with external stakeholders, thereby aligning with the Forum's strategic priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The specific responsibilities of the INGO Forum Advocacy Manager include:

• Policy & Advocacy: Lead the development and implementation of advocacy strategies that address protection, operational space, and access negotiations.
• Secretariat & Management: Oversee the management of the advocacy secretariat, ensuring effective coordination among members.
• Information Sharing & Communication: Facilitate the sharing of information and communication among stakeholders to enhance advocacy efforts.
• Coordination & Representation: Represent the Forum in various platforms and meetings, ensuring that the interests and positions of the Forum are effectively communicated and advocated for.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in a relevant field, with a postgraduate degree being required for the Syria NGO Forum PAM. A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in humanitarian, development, human rights, or related policy fields is essential. Previous experience in Syria or similar complex humanitarian contexts is highly desirable. Candidates should have relevant experience in policy analysis, advocacy strategic planning, communications, research, media, data gathering, and information management. Demonstrated experience in drafting high-quality advocacy materials and developing advocacy strategies is crucial. Familiarity with humanitarian response architecture and coordination mechanisms is also required.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in a relevant field, with a postgraduate degree being mandatory for the Syria NGO Forum PAM. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to navigate the complexities of humanitarian advocacy and policy development.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in humanitarian, development, human rights, or related policy fields. This experience should include previous work in Syria or similar complex humanitarian contexts, as well as familiarity with NGO Forum structures and collective advocacy platforms. Relevant experience in policy analysis, advocacy strategic planning, and communications is also necessary.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is mandatory, along with strong writing and editing skills. A working knowledge of English is required for the Syria NGO Forum. Knowledge of Arabic, also written and spoken, is mandatory, as it is essential for effective communication within the context of the role. Country or regional knowledge, particularly experience working in Syria or the Middle East, is highly desirable.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is Damascus, Syria, and the contract is fixed-term, renewable based on performance and funding availability. The role may require travel up to 30% of the time. The salary and benefits are classified as Grade 9 on NRC’s national or international salary scale, and the position is open to both national and international candidates. NRC is committed to being an equal opportunities employer, promoting diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. The organization encourages a culture of innovation and responsibility, providing employees with opportunities to contribute ideas and take initiative.