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Position Title: Advocacy Manager
Location: Ouagadougou
Country: Burkina Faso
Deadline Date: 18th October 2024

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee due to conflict and crises. 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 human dignity and advocating for the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. NRC's mission is to ensure that those affected by displacement receive the support they need to rebuild their lives and regain their rights, particularly in challenging and volatile contexts.

Job Overview:
The Advocacy Manager position at NRC in Burkina Faso is a critical role aimed at enhancing the organization's humanitarian advocacy efforts. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing high-quality Analysis on the humanitarian situation affecting displaced populations, which will inform both internal and external advocacy strategies. This role requires a strategic thinker who can effectively integrate advocacy into NRC's program activities, ensuring that advocacy considerations are woven into the organization's overall strategy and budgeting processes. The Advocacy Manager will also engage with various stakeholders, including other organizations involved in the Humanitarian Response, to develop joint advocacy positions and enhance the visibility of NRC's work. The position demands strong analytical, negotiation, and networking skills to effectively communicate the needs and rights of affected populations and to influence decision-makers.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Advocacy Manager will undertake a variety of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Conducting comprehensive analyses of the humanitarian situation for displacement-affected populations to inform NRC's programmatic responses.
• Supporting program staff in integrating advocacy into all aspects of NRC's activities, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Keeping relevant NRC Country Offices and departments informed about the humanitarian response and priority advocacy issues.
• Networking with other organizations to lead the development of joint advocacy initiatives and positions.
• Preparing high-quality briefings, letters, and other written materials for both internal and external audiences, ensuring that messaging is evidence-based and follows established procedures.
• Revising and updating the NRC Country Office advocacy strategy as needed and drafting necessary reporting documents, including Advocacy Key Messages.
• Identifying Fundraising opportunities for advocacy initiatives and contributing to the development of proposals that include advocacy activities related to humanitarian and protection issues.
• Collaborating with Humanitarian Access staff to deliver training on humanitarian principles and negotiations, as well as conducting orientation sessions for journalists on humanitarian issues.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the humanitarian field, with a proven track record of working in complex and volatile contexts. Professional knowledge of protection principles and advocacy, as well as experience in utilizing media for Public Advocacy, is essential. Strong managerial and interpersonal skills are required, along with experience in private advocacy and stakeholder engagement. Proficiency in both English and French, both written and verbal, is mandatory, as effective communication is crucial for this role. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate a solid understanding of international policy related to displacement and possess documented results in analysis, message drafting, Coordination, and networking.

Educational Background:
The position requires a relevant educational background, typically at least a bachelor's degree in a field related to humanitarian studies, International Relations, Social Sciences, or a similar discipline. Advanced degrees may be preferred, particularly for candidates seeking to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in humanitarian advocacy and response.

Experience:
The Advocacy Manager should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the humanitarian sector, with specific experience in advocacy roles. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to work effectively in challenging environments and possess a strong understanding of the dynamics of humanitarian response, particularly in relation to displacement and protection issues. Experience in training and Capacity Building related to humanitarian principles and advocacy is also highly valued.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is mandatory for this position, as both languages are essential for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an asset, particularly if they relate to the local context or the populations served by NRC.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and is offered on a 12-month contract, with the possibility of extension depending on performance and funding availability. The role may require travel of up to 30% to various locations within Burkina Faso. NRC offers a competitive salary and benefits package, aligned with grade 9 on NRC’s scale, and is committed to diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices. The organization encourages applications from all qualified candidates and emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation and abuse.