Policy Advisor

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, and why we lobby governments and companies to take into account the interests of the poorest people.  We work together with other Oxfam affiliates to increase our impact on development issues.

We are looking for a

Policy Advisor
40 hours/week
Based in Bamako, Mali
Programme period: mid- May 2013 – November 2013
(6 months)
Single Posting

Context

Oxfam is closely following the significant developments in Mali. It is actively involved in providing humanitarian relief to the affected populations in Mali and its neighbouring countries. In collaboration with civil society it wishes to analyse the root causes of the Malian crisis in relation to: poor governance, the marginalisation of communities, unequal access to justice (rule of law), land rights & basic services, limited economic opportunities, and the deterioration of the environment due to climate change. It wishes to develop a vision and strategy to work on national reconciliation, peace-building and participatory preparations for the national elections in due time. The way to rebuild Malian nation is threatened by the proliferation of arms and the exponential increase in transnational criminal networks, including those linked to drug and human trafficking. Poverty, under-development and lack of opportunities especially for young people, make people susceptible to the recruiting efforts of armed groups. The interim government has just adopted a political roadmap for the transition period leading up to the presidential and general elections (now planned for end of July 2013): this framework, in which civil society has already been able to input, offers a unique opportunity to identify clear benchmarks relating to peace process, good governance, development, etc., and hold the government accountable to these, while pushing these issue high on the agenda of the electoral debate.

The UN and AU Special Envoys, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other key stakeholders actors involved in the efforts to resolve the crisis in Mali are struggling to take a broader approach to tackling the underlying causes of the Mali crisis beyond addressing immediate security threats and terrorism. This must involve investing in governance in (North of) Mali and programs benefiting the whole population without discrimination, promoting inter community dialogue, reconciliation initiatives and social cohesion.

Conflict in the North of Mali has resulted in human-rights violations perpetrated by different parties to the conflict, such as sexual violence and the recruitment and use of child soldiers. Human rights monitoring is essential given the risks of exacerbation of human rights violations at this time. There is a need for human rights monitors to Mali as a matter of urgency in order to address human rights concerns arising during and in the immediate aftermath of any military action, including the recruitment and use of child soldiers, gender based violence, risks of arbitrary executions and detentions that might arise following reprisals and setting of scores.

Objective of the position

To contribute to Oxfam in Mali’s governance and human rights interventions and ensure delivery of the Mali+3 humanitarian advocacy strategy components related to governance and human rights. The advisor will support the development of a new Oxfam and partners governance & human rights advocacy strategy in Mali, in the context of a rapidly moving political environment and an evolving Oxfam team in country (new Essential Services lead, expected short deployment of an OGB HSP RiC advocate, of an Oxfam Novib senior Governance & HR officer). The advisor will ensure proper information flow between these various persons and programs (ES, RiC and Active Citizenship), avoiding overlapping, ensure consistency & coordination in messaging and approaches (especially with / towards CSOs) and giving ad hoc support to fill any gaps in analysis or outreach towards CSOs. The advisor will be developing a -12 months action plan, and start implementing it.

Main tasks

• Identify and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to collect and consolidate existing analyses of the root causes to the present crisis, assess the risks and opportunities for governance & human rights related programming and advocacy, and stimulate joint action where possible and desirable.
• Organise workshops and meetings with Oxfam in Mali’s partners and civil society organisations.
• Coordinate partners’ capacity building in human rights monitoring and in gender and conflicts issues.
• Gather and disseminate relevant information on the Malian context and governance issues in Mali to the Oxfam in Mali team, Oxfam partners and affiliates.
• Draft advocacy strategies/proposals for Oxfam in Mali’s governance related activities & ensure coherence with the Oxfam in Mali good governance and human rights program portfolio (and/or suggest partnerships and alliances).
• You report to the Mali Associate Country Director of Oxfam Novib, are member of the Oxfam in Mali humanitarian strategy team & Oxfam Novib program team, and have direct contacts with the Oxfam in Mali programme partners, Oxfam staff in Mali and surrounding countries, with relevant units at Oxfam Novib Headquarters including Knowledge and Program Management, Lobby department and with other Oxfam affiliates.

You

• have a relevant Masters degree, in a development-related field, preferably in political science, international relations, law & human rights or similar;
• can demonstrate professional background in the fields of conflict, governance and human rights, have affinity with governance and human rights issues in West-Africa; familiarity with and a commitment to rights-based and gender sensitive approaches to development;
• have good judgement and a well-developed understanding of governance, human rights and conflict transformation, particularly with regard to West-Africa;
• have experience in developing and managing campaigns, and in public mobilisation. Knowledge of southern campaigning;
• have good understanding and experience of linking programme work to lobby and advocacy, and to media work;
• have knowledge of governance, human rights and humanitarian principles. Ability to weigh risks and opportunities and deal with sensitive issues;
• have excellent analytical, advisory and communication skills and demonstrable ability to think strategically, innovatively and practically to achieve program and advocacy impact;
• have excellent communication skills and fluent command of especially French and English, both in writing and speaking;
• are available to travel frequently, mostly in the region.

We offer

A competitive, fair and comprehensive pay and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors. We offer a gross salary in the range from € 2,896.- to € 4,456.- on the basis of a 40 hour working week. This is excl. 8% holiday fee, additional expat allowances will be offered in line with Oxfam Novib’s Collective Labour Agreement.

More information and application procedure

Are you interested in this position? Send your application in English in writing, including a motivation letter and curriculum vitae and mentioning reference number 5-187 tojobs@oxfamnovib.nl to the attention of Louise Karso, Recruiter no later than April 12, 2013. For more information about the procedure you can contact Frans Pakvis, International HR Advisor,
tel. +31 70 3421925. Information on the job is available from Mr. Gerard Steehouwer, Regional Director West-Africa, tel. +31 70-3421978.