Advocacy Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and disaster. With a workforce of approximately 15,000 staff members, NRC operates in 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people each year. The organization is committed to defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, ensuring that their needs are met in crises. NRC's mission is to help those in need, focusing on the most vulnerable populations affected by humanitarian crises.

Job Overview:
The advisor" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Advocacy Advisor position is crucial for shaping NRC's policy influence and public positioning in the complex humanitarian contexts of Somalia and Kenya. This senior-level role involves leading the design and implementation of advocacy and communications strategies that align with both country program priorities and global standards. The Advocacy Advisor is responsible for providing expert analysis, developing evidence-based advocacy products, and representing NRC in key forums. Additionally, the role includes building the capacity of staff and partners to amplify the voices of displaced communities. By bridging operational realities with policy engagement, the Advocacy Advisor ensures that NRC's responses are impactful on the ground and contribute to systemic change at national, regional, and international levels.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Advocacy Advisor will identify and coordinate NRC's advocacy response to prioritized issues both within the country and internationally. They will develop and implement an impactful advocacy and communications strategy that aligns with the overall country strategy. The role includes creating a media plan for the Country Office, ensuring that risk analyses are conducted regarding public positions or statements, and adhering to sign-off procedures. The Advocacy Advisor will manage communications teams, including staff development, budget planning, and execution. Systematic training on advocacy and communication will be provided to develop the capacity of all relevant staff, ensuring compliance with NRC policies such as informed consent and data protection. Specific responsibilities include strategically raising issues and voices of displaced people in Somalia and Kenya to decision-makers and the public, increasing accountability of NRC through regular public information about the situations being responded to, contributing to problem, protection, and program analyses with a policy lens, coordinating and monitoring advocacy and media plans, and preparing high-quality briefings, reports, press statements, and other communications materials for internal and external use.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a post-graduate degree and a minimum of five years of relevant experience within the humanitarian field or international media/organizations. Humanitarian advocacy experience and policy management from various contexts are essential. Relevant experience in advocacy, communications, media, or humanitarian policy is required, along with experience working in complex and insecure contexts, preferably in the Horn of Africa. A strong understanding of humanitarian coordination architecture and donor environments is necessary, as well as proven experience in engaging media and managing sensitive external communications. Candidates should have experience producing high-level advocacy products and policy analysis, documented results related to the position's responsibilities, high levels of flexibility and creativity, and strong managerial and interpersonal skills. Fluency in English with strong verbal and written communication skills is mandatory.

Educational Background:
The position requires a post-graduate degree in a relevant field, which may include international relations, humanitarian studies, communications, or a related discipline. The educational background should provide a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of humanitarian advocacy and policy management.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least five years of relevant experience in the humanitarian field or international media/organizations. This experience should include humanitarian advocacy and policy management across different contexts, with a strong emphasis on working in complex and insecure environments, particularly in the Horn of Africa. Proven experience in producing high-level advocacy products and engaging with media is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with strong verbal and written communication skills. Additional languages relevant to the region, such as Somali or Swahili, would be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya, under a national contract for a duration of 24 months, which is renewable based on funding and performance. The role requires significant travel, with 70% of dedicated time to the Somalia country office, including regular visits to Somalia every three months, 10% dedicated time to the Kenya country office, and 20% travel to other countries in East Africa as identified. The salary is graded at level 9 on NRC's national salary scale. NRC is committed to diversity and equal opportunities, ensuring a work culture that empowers employees to share ideas and take responsibility.