Policy and Campaigns/ Media and Communications Officer
Oxfam Novib is a member of Oxfam International, a confederation of agencies supporting humanitarian and development programs in over 100 countries worldwide. It is committed to ridding the world of poverty. Oxfam believes people are 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 the wider public in our work. Oxfam works together with local partners to increase our impact on development issues.
Oxfam’s program in the Maghreb is a multi country program with partners in Morocco, Tunisia, the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria and, in the future, in Algeria and Libya. This program is managed on behalf of Oxfam International by Oxfam Novib working closely with Intermon Oxfam, Oxfam Italia and Oxfam in Belgium. Oxfam supports local partners to implement programs at country and regional level on key themes within the framework of the Oxfam Joint Analysis and Strategy for the Maghreb. The Oxfam Maghreb program focuses on social and political participation, gender justice and sustainable livelihoods. These priority themes are particularly relevant in wake of the Arab spring which has opened up new opportunities for civil society in the region.
Having previously worked from Den Haag, Oxfam Novib plans to decentralize the Maghreb program in March 2012 with an office in Tunis, Tunisia. In this context we are looking for a
Oxfam Policy and Campaigns (50%)/ Media and Communications Officer (50%)
Based in Tunisia
Fulltime contract for one year (with possibility of extension)
Start date: as soon as possible
Objective of the position
Oxfam Novib leads Oxfam’s advocacy and media work in relation to the Maghreb multi country cluster.
This is a challenging position, combining two key elements:
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 region. Key themes will include promoting gender justice and ensuring space for civil society in the democratic transitions in the 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 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, and the Associate Country Directors of Oxfam Novib 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. An important aspect of this policy and media work will respond to the new opportunities and challenges of the Arab spring for the region. Your work 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, ideally in relation to 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).
- Strong knowledge about the key issues in the Maghreb region.
- 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.
- 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 French and English. A solid command of Arabic will also be a strong asset in this role.
- Ability and readiness to travel throughout the Maghreb region including Western Sahara.
We offer
A competitive, fair pay and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors.
More information and application procedure
Send your application in writing, including a motivation letter and curriculum vitae and mentioning reference number 5-089 to jobs@oxfamnovib.nl to the attention of Ewa van den Berg, International HR Advisor, by March 12, 2012. Information on position is available with Catherine Essoyan, +31 70 3421832.
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