Policy & Campaigning Officer - Oxfam Novib

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.

To strengthen its capacity for developing the global actor strategy for Turkey, Oxfam Novib wishes to recruit

A Policy and Campaigning Officer for Turkey as a regional and global actor
Based in Istanbul, Turkey
Full time
Starting date: ASAP for 12 months with possible renewal

Objective of the position
To analyse the national/regional political and economic context and developments in Turkey in relation to its regional and global role. With a view on campaigning and/or lobby agendas, identify external (national, regional and when relevant global) “decision-makers” to adopt and implement the policy positions of Oxfam and partners in Turkey. To assist/advise partner organizations in developing their lobby, advocacy and campaigning activities and as needed to undertake lobby or advocacy activities.

Main tasks

• To contribute to the further development of Oxfam (Novib’s) global actor strategy for Turkey, in close collaboration with the Oxfam Novib MENA colleagues;
• To identify and build relationships with civil society organisations in Turkey; identifying civil society allies in country and – as needed, together with Oxfam (Novib) supporting them to lobby their government to play a constructive role in their region and globally; promote linking and learning between Oxfam (Novib) and civil society organisations in Turkey and other relevant counterparts regionally or globally;
• To develop, update, lead on implementation and monitor the Oxfam lobby, advocacy and/or campaigning strategy and action plans for Turkey including the development of (advocacy) products. To ensure sign off by relevant Oxfam affiliates. To act as an Oxfam lead on lobby and/or campaigning in relation to Turkey where applicable;
• To ensure project/programme proposals and activities are in line with Southern campaigning principles and are relevant to Oxfam’s ambition to become a global campaigning force;
• Upon request to represent Oxfam (Novib) to external advocacy, campaigning and/or media stakeholders;
• To contribute to Oxfam (Novib’s) internal annual and/or quarterly planning and reporting;
• Upon request, to provide advice and analytical input into programme proposals developed by ON and/or with ON partners, the strategic plan of the region and other strategic documents within the organization;
• To assist in identifying and developing, in close coordination with other relevant staff, new programmes or initiatives that can be eligible for external funding;
• To contribute to regular analytical reports, sitreps, security analyses and other communication on relevant political/economic developments in Turkey and on advocacy/campaigning efforts of Oxfam and its counterparts to internal and external stakeholders;
• To provide strategic advice and support to partners and Oxfam (Novib) on the specified focus of campaigning work, campaigning plans, methodology, use of media, alliance building and sharing of information;
• To ensure that campaign activities effectively link global/regional/country work and North-South campaigning;
• To proactively gather and analyze information related to the specified focus of lobby work in Turkey and to share this with HQ and other relevant staff in Oxfam.

You have

• An university degree in international relations, development studies, anthropology, political science, geography, or related field and proven experience at this level;
• At least 5 years of work experience in the field of development cooperation preferably with an NGO;
• Experience with advocacy and policy change work;
• Extensive knowledge of the Middle East and Maghreb, in particular Turkey;
• An outstanding information gathering capacity and good analytical skills. In addition, you are a strategic thinker, and possess strong negotiation and communication skills;
• Good knowledge of the (I)NGO sector; a natural networker with substantial experience of building relationships with government institutions; private sector and other organisations; bringing a network of organizations/stakeholders in Turkey is an asset;
• A relevant thematic specialization, is an asset;
• An active commitment to promoting gender equity and the interests of marginalised people in all aspects of an organisation’s work;
• Willingness to travel regularly;
• English fluency orally and in writing; strong command of Turkish, written and spoken;
• Applicants must be entitled legally (Turkish nationality or work permit) to live and work in Turkey.

We offer
A fair consultancy fee that is justifiable to our donors, with possibility on an Oxfam Novib contract in the future.

More information and application procedure
Are you interested? Send your application in writing, including a motivation letter and curriculum vitae and mentioning reference number 5-138 to jobs@oxfamnovib.nl to the attention of Shabinah Asgarali, Recruiter, no later than June 30, 2012. Information on the job is available with Mirjam Andriessen +31 70 3421754 or Catherine Essoyan, +31 70 3421832. Information on the procedure is available with Shabinah Asgarali, +31 70 3421 868.