Tunisia Policy and campaign officer/Media and Communications Officer

Oxfam Novib is committed to ridding the world of poverty. We have a conviction that people are well capable of building a livelihood without poverty on their own, once given the chance to do so. Which is why we support local projects in developing countries, why we lobby governments and companies to take into account the interests of the poorest people, and why we campaign to involve Dutch men and women also in our work. We work together with other Oxfam affiliates to increase our impact on development issues.

Oxfam’s program in the Maghreb is a multi country program comprising partners in Morocco, Tunisia, the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria and, in future, programs in Algeria and possibly Libya. This multi country program is to be managed by Oxfam Novib as Oxfam Managing Affiliate working closely with Intermon Oxfam (in Morocco), Oxfam Italia (in Morocco) and Oxfam in Belgium (presence in Tindouf and Algiers), and Oxfam Novib (in Tunisia) who will implement programs in country and on key themes. The four Oxfam affiliates have developed a Joint Sub-regional Multi Country Cluster Analysis and Strategy (JCCAS). The Oxfam Maghreb program will focus on social and political participation, gender justice and supporting sustainable livelihoods work.

Having previously worked from Den Haag, Oxfam Novib plans to decentralize the Maghreb program in January 2012 with an office in Tunis, Tunisia. In this context we are looking for a

Policy and campaign officer (50%)/ Media and Communications Officer (50%) Oxfam Novib, based in Tunisia Fulltime contract for one year (with possibility of extension) Start date: January 2012

Objective of the position

Oxfam Novib has the role of leading Oxfam’s advocacy and media work in relation to the Maghreb multi country cluster.

This job combines two roles:

As a policy and campaign officer, you will be responsible for leading and coordinating the delivery of policy and campaign related aspects of the Oxfam Maghreb multi country cluster strategy, in cooperation with counterparts and with other Oxfams working in the sub region. As a media and communication officer, in collaboration with other Oxfam affiliates and partners in the Maghreb, you will lead and coordinate Oxfam’s media and communication related to the countries in this sub region. You will work with national and international media to influence decision makers, opinion formers and Oxfam supporters in order to advance Oxfam’s campaigning and to raise the profile of its partners and programs in the Maghreb.

Main tasks

You will coordinate closely on the following tasks with the Oxfam Country Director, Oxfam Novib’s Associate Country Director and the other Oxfam affiliates working in the Maghreb:

•In cooperation with Oxfams working in the Maghreb, their policy and media staff, and their local partners, you will lead the further development, updating and implementation of policy and campaigning aspects (strategies and action plans) of the Oxfam Maghreb Joint Country Cluster Analysis and Strategy. You develop and implement a media and communications strategy for Oxfam in the Maghreb, taking into account relevant local, regional and international trends and developments as well as potential Oxfam brand risks. This will include as needed the development of advocacy, media and communication materials (policy lines, talking points, advocacy letters, press releases, communication materials about Oxfam supported partners and programs, program flyers). You ensure that all media and advocacy products are signed off by the Maghreb Country Cluster Leadership Team and the Maghreb Director prior to publication. •You generate regular, high quality media coverage in the Maghreb, in Oxfam home countries and internationally of Oxfam’s concerns through proactive and reactive media work. •You build and maintain a strong network and knowledge of national and international media in the Maghreb, and as needed, act as a public spokesperson for Oxfam. As needed, you facilitate journalists’ visits to the countries of the Maghreb and Oxfam programmes. •You seek and research stories from staff within Oxfam and its partners that are aligned with key advocacy/campaigning priorities and raise the concerns of civilians and civil society in the Maghreb. •You will maintain direct contacts with local partner organisations in relation to development of Oxfam policy, advocacy and campaign work in relation to the Maghreb and in coordination with other Oxfams in the Maghreb and with local partners, you will identify key issues and opportunities for lobby and campaigning. •You work with partner organizations to strengthen their capacity to work effectively with the media. You identify partner needs in the area of advocacy, lobby and campaigning, and develop programs reinforcing lobby and campaign activities and you ensure that the proposals and activities are in line with Oxfam Southern campaigning principles. •You keep updated on the latest developments in the countries of the Maghreb related to development context and the situation for civil society and monitor in an ongoing manner international and national media and policy developments related to the Maghreb. •You support effective information management and documentation in relation to Oxfam’s work, ensuring in particular that policy, campaigning, media and communication products are archived appropriately in an easily retrievable electronic based filing system.

You have •Completed an academic degree in a discipline relevant to the specific areas mentioned in relation to development cooperation. •Experience with policy and advocacy work, ideallyin relation o development cooperation. •Experience with media and communication work, preferably in relation to development cooperation. You have demonstrated ability or experience in finding new creative media angles. •Broad knowledge of relevant thematic areas (human rights, livelihoods, gender, lobby and advocacy, among others). •Excellent verbal and written communication skills. •Knowledge of the NGO sector is an asset; a natural networker with substantial experience of building relationships. •Experience in working with or developing capacity of grassroots and national NGOs in advocacy and campaigning, media and communication. •Several years of relevant working experience in similar positions in the field, ideally in the countries of the Maghreb, and an affinity with international development issues. •Knowledgeable about the key issues in the Maghreb region.
•Solid understanding and knowledge of the rights-based approach. •Excellent diplomatic, social and intercultural skills and you work well in a team. •Excellent communication skills in English and French. Command of Arabic is an asset. •Ability and readiness to travel throughout the Maghreb region including Western Sahara.

We offer A competitive, fair and comprehensive pay and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors. In the second quarter of 2011 the scaling will be set according to our system. Till that time we offer a salary in the range from € 2.581, -- to € 3.971,--. This is excl. 8% holiday fee, additional expat allowances will be offered.

How to apply:

More information and application procedure Are you interested in this position? Send your application in writing, including a motivation letter and a curriculum vitae and mentioning reference number 5-089 to jobs@oxfamnovib.nl to the attention of Ewa van den Berg, International HR Consultant, before January 6th, 2012. Information on position is available with Catherine Essoyan, +31 70 3421832.