Oxfam - Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Officer

Oxfam Novib is committed to eradicating poverty. We believe that people are well capable of building a livelihood without poverty on their own, once given the chance to do so. This 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 people also in our work. We work together with other Oxfam affiliates to increase the impact of our work.

As part of its newly established Rapid Deployment Team, the Humanitarian Unit of Oxfam Novib is looking for a Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Officer who, together with us and many others, wants to work towards creating a just world without poverty.

Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Officer 36 hours/week with extensive experience in complex emergencies (both natural and man-made)

Job Profile Oxfam Novib works with other Oxfams and with local partner organisations to be better prepared for emergency situations and to provide an appropriate response to those situations where needed. To support Oxfam Novib country staff and partners to realise our humanitarian ambitions and duties, Oxfam Novib is establishing a Rapid Deployment Team (RDT) whose members will be deployed in countries where Oxfam Novib is working, based on need for support in their area of expertise. Apart from enhancing Oxfam’s preparedness and response work, the RDT will contribute to organisation-wide capacity and profile development. As a Policy & Advocacy Officer you will be one of the RDT members. The RDT reports to the Manager of the Humanitarian Unit at Oxfam Novib’s head office in The Hague, but during assignments in the field to the country based line manager. The Policy & Advocacy Officer will have functional reporting-lines to the Oxfam Novib Program Manager Rights in Crisis and the appropriate Oxfam International Rights in Crisis Policy Group and will work closely together with Oxfam policy staff in the country of assignment or Oxfam regional policy officers.

You will work abroad most of the year and have to be willing to travel and/or move on short (24 hours) notice as required. This is an unaccompanied position.

Key Responsibilities In case of an emergency-assignment you will develop and deliver Oxfam’s humanitarian related policy analysis, strategy and messages.You will identify external (national, regional and when relevant global) “decision-makers” to adopt and implement the policy positions of Oxfam and partners. You will furthermore assist/advise partner organizations in developing their lobby, advocacy and campaigning activities.

Terms of Reference will be negotiated and agreed with relevant parties, prior to deployment and/or revised in the early stages of the deployment.

Main tasks Response delivery in emergency context

• To support and advice in-country management to ensure the integration of advocacy and policy strategies from the earliest stages of emergency programme response onwards. Provide the key resource to ensure Oxfam’s messaging is well informed by policy analysis and programme needs (and by extension media and public appeal needs). • To lead, design and implement the program’s advocacy and policy strategy based on (1) thorough policy and context analysis, (2) detailed knowledge and understanding of the needs to deliver timely and qualitative humanitarian assistance, and (3) strongly rooted in humanitarian principles and guidelines. To do so in close collaboration with Oxfam program, policy and media-staff in-country, ON partner organisations (if appropriate), and in close coordination with the policy and media staff of Oxfam Novib Head Office and the relevant Oxfam International Rights in Crisis Policy Group. • Plans/objectives contribute to departmental/broader program strategy and can involve collaboration with other departments. • To undertake advocacy and lobbying as required with in-country, regional and international decision-making bodies and stakeholders. • To engage in networking, building relations with national and international humanitarian agencies to continually inform, challenge and improve advocacy messages and tactics, and to represent and advocate Oxfam’s position in relevant humanitarian coordination meetings. • To support and assist ON partner organizations in lobbying and advocacy and to establish linkages between partners’ and Oxfam’s policy and advocacy (or even engage in joint lobbying) where appropriate or required. • To develop or contribute to development of advocacy products, including undertaking or commissioning policy research, before, during and after a crisis, and in line with Oxfam agreed standards and the Rights in Crisis policy framework with potentially global impact. • Upon request, to provide advice and analytical input into programme proposals (with an advocacy/lobby and/or campaigning component) developed by ON and/or with ON partners. The same applies to the strategic plan of the target country and other strategic documents within Oxfam Novib. • To advice in identifying and developing, in close coordination with other Oxfam country staff, new programmes or initiatives that can be eligible for external funding. Work with programme team to ensure integration of advocacy into planning, thus providing advice in budgeting and recruitment needs, and providing training as necessary and feasible. Work to establish systems for longer-term post holder where agreed. • To proactively share information critical for policy analysis, advocacy and media messaging with appropriate advocacy, policy and media staff in Field Office, Head Office and in the concerned Oxfam International Rights in Crisis policy group.

Enhancing capacity of Oxfam Novib and partners humanitarian capacities

• Contribute to the integration of policy and advocacy aspects in the development and implementation of the Oxfam humanitarian preparedness strategies/contingency plans and in country humanitarian investment plans. • Contribute to capacity building of Oxfam Novib field offices in relation to policy and advocacy work and planning. • Contribute to building policy and advocacy capacity of partners.

Policy development & learning

• Contribute to further development of Oxfam (Novib) humanitarian policies. • Document experiences and draw lessons learnt. • Participate in assessments, audits, monitoring & evaluation missions. • Other suitable tasks as assigned.

You have

• A (Post) graduate degree in international relations, social sciences, political sciences or other relevant studies (undergraduate degree plus relevant overseas experience may substitute, but qualification will not substitute for experience). • At least 5-10 years of practical experience in humanitarian policy and advocacy work in humanitarian response situations (relief & rehabilitation) in more than one country (preferably countries where Oxfam Novib works), in both natural and man-made disasters, with a mature understanding of context, dilemmas, challenges and ways of working. • Excellent policy and context analysis skills; skilled conflict sensitivity and cultural analysis, good planning skills; ability to think beyond the local/country context; and able to analyze programming risks from a brand and security perspective. • Knowledge and practical experience of general humanitarian standards and principles such as Sphere Standards, HAP, and the Red Cross Code of Conduct, Do No Harm and conflict sensitivity. Understanding of main programming issues in WASH and Emergency Food Security / Vulnerable Livelihoods. • A good understanding of gender and diversity in humanitarian crisis contexts, and proven commitment to incorporating these concepts in your work. • A track record of having successfully of influenced government, donors and other organisations through representation and/or advocacy. • Experience in or strong affinity with working with and supporting local NGO partners. • The ability to work in multicultural and international teams and to effectively support and empower Oxfam Novib field staff and partners in a wide variety of cultural contexts using methods such as mentoring, coaching, accompaniment, training and advice. • Excellent communication and interpersonal and team working skills, both written and spoken. Proven experience with writing policy briefs, Opeds and media articles based on highly qualified analysis and sound research. Ability to analyse and communicate complex information to a wide audience. Fluency in English, as well as working knowledge of at least one other language (preferably French or Portuguese). • The willingness to travel at short notice, often in difficult circumstances and availability to typically work between 6 weeks to 6 months in complex situations and difficult locations. • Knowledge and experience of working with disaster risk reduction, preparedness and development issues is an asset.

Location Most time of the year, you will be deployed in countries where Oxfam Novib is involved in humanitarian programming or preparations. Your residence (in between deployments) can be in any of the countries/cities where Oxfam Novib has an office and where an international airport is nearby (at the moment: The Hague, Nairobi, Islamabad, Niamey and Jerusalem). In the near future: Dakar, Hanoi.

We Offer a salary in the range of € 2581,- to € 3.971,- gross a month (based on 36 hours per week).

How to apply:

More information and application Send your motivation letter and CV, with the vacancy reference number 5-0005 to the attention of Shabinah Asgarali, Recruiter, to jobs@oxfamnovib.nl before January 30, 2012. For more information about the position you can contact Anjo van Toorn, Regional Manager South Asia, telephone +31 (0) 70 3421765.