Advocacy and Communications Manager

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Position Title: Advocacy and Communications Manager
Location: Dhaka
Country: Bangladesh
Deadline Date:

Job Details

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 employees, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of individuals each year. The organization is committed to upholding the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, ensuring that they receive the support they need in times of crisis. NRC's mission is to promote the dignity and agency of affected populations, and it strives to deliver principled humanitarian aid that meets the diverse needs of communities in distress.

Job Overview:
The Advocacy and Communications Manager will play a pivotal role in leading and directing NRC's advocacy, communication, and policy initiatives in Bangladesh. This position is crucial for identifying key protection issues that require advocacy efforts, ensuring that these concerns are integrated into NRC's operational activities. The role will focus on critical areas such as the Rohingya crisis and climate-related displacement, necessitating close collaboration with regional teams and the Myanmar country mission. The successful candidate will be expected to develop and implement advocacy strategies, provide protection analysis, and enhance NRC's messaging to foster a more effective humanitarian response. This position is exclusively available to internal NRC employees, emphasizing the organization's commitment to promoting from within and valuing the contributions of its current staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Advocacy and Communications Manager will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including but not limited to: identifying and coordinating advocacy responses to prioritized protection issues; developing, revising, and implementing advocacy strategies; ensuring coherence and synergy between advocacy efforts and programmatic activities; providing protection analysis on humanitarian and displacement trends; advising on media strategies and ensuring that potential risks are assessed; managing a team and supporting their professional development; conducting advocacy training and capacity building; strengthening advocacy networks; and identifying opportunities to promote NRC's positions effectively. The role requires a proactive approach to engage with various stakeholders and to advocate for the rights and needs of affected populations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of protection principles and advocacy, as well as knowledge of international legal and policy frameworks related to forced displacement and migration. The ideal candidate will have experience in analysis, messaging, coordination, and networking, complemented by advanced degrees or equivalent qualifications. Managerial and interpersonal skills are essential, along with exceptional written and verbal communication abilities. A deep understanding of the refugee and internal displacement context in Bangladesh is also required, as is fluency in English, both written and spoken.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced degree or a similar qualification in a relevant field, such as international relations, humanitarian studies, social sciences, or law. This educational background should provide the candidate with a solid foundation in the principles of humanitarian action and advocacy, as well as an understanding of the complexities surrounding forced displacement and migration.

Experience:
Candidates should have substantial experience in advocacy, communications, or related fields, ideally within a humanitarian context. This experience should include a proven track record of developing and implementing advocacy strategies, engaging with diverse stakeholders, and providing protection analysis. Familiarity with the challenges faced by displaced populations, particularly in the context of Bangladesh, is highly desirable. The role may require experience in managing teams and fostering professional development among staff members.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, both written and verbal, as it is the primary language of communication within NRC and for external advocacy efforts. While not mandatory, proficiency in Bengali or other local languages would be considered an asset, as it would facilitate better engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and is offered on a 24-month contract basis. The role may involve approximately 10% travel. The position is classified as Grade 9 in NRC's Salary Scale, which comes with a competitive compensation and benefits package. NRC is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds. The organization emphasizes a culture of empowerment, where employees are encouraged to share ideas and take responsibility for their work. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply, reflecting NRC's commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women in the workplace.