Sub-National Advocacy & Research Adviser - Cambodia

Phnom Penh, Cambodia 24 months NGO Education Partnership (Cambodia)

About VSO

VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. Our high-impact approach brings people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understanding and action to change lives and make the world a fairer place.

Role overview

Purpose of this role: The purpose of this role is to help NGO Education Partnership (NEP) increase its capacity to plan, organize and advocate for education reform in Cambodia, and help NEP continue to increase its organizational capacity. Specific placement objectives: This is an ideal placement for a seasoned fund raiser and coalition building as well as advocacy generalist who will advise and actively assist NEP’s Executive Director and staff in the following areas: Policy Issues:  Advise NEP’s Executive Director, as required, on strategic and operational issues Work with the Executive Director and NEP staff on the implementation NEP’s 2011-2015 Strategic Plan and development 2015-2018 Strategic Plan.  Assist with the development of education position papers and briefs  Support the development of funding proposals aimed at sustaining core funding over the longer term and increasing NEP’s staff capacity Advocacy/Stakeholder Engagement:  To create sense of ownership of NEP by its members organize provincial members meetings with a view to coalition formation for joint advocacy on issues common to all  Advise on and support implementation of NEP advocacy and stakeholder engagement initiatives  Undertake stakeholder analysis and develop stakeholder-specific key messages, as required  Establish policy implementation monitoring and evaluation processes and tools to: o track government action on priority issues and recommendations made in NEP research o support tracking of policy reform discussions and implementation of FTI, ESSP and specific issues and indicators  Support Executive Director and Research Officer in development of annual Education NGO Report analysis and recommendations  Advise Executive Director and staff on design of workshops and discussions involving NEP Board, staff, NEP members and key stakeholders concerning emerging issues and opportunities  Support Executive Director and staff in their work with NEP think tank, sub-sector working groups, e.g. early childhood education, primary, secondary, higher education in order to identify opportunities for advocacy  Implement the harmonized/consolidated strategic communications, NEP advocacy plan together with the GCE 3 years strategic plan in line with the overall NEP 5 year strategic plan. Also: 1. Networking and building links with other volunteers in the programme to increase sharing and learning between organisations and individuals

Skills, qualifications and experience required

Volunteer profile (Qualifications/work experience/competencies/personal qualities) 1. Essential qualifications • Degree in Public Policy, Communications, Social Policy or related discipline • Post-graduate or professional training in campaigns and advocacy 2. Essential work experience/skills: • Strategic planning and project implementation, project management experience • Extensive stakeholder engagement, communications experience • Capacity to support policy implementation monitoring and evaluation • Good analytical skills • Strong writing skills to support Executive Director and staff, as needed, e.g. assistance with preparation of position papers and responses to policy initiatives, presentations 3. Desirable work experience/skills: • Government relations, policy experience • Experience with education reform, ideally at a policy level • Experience of programme management and staff capacity building • Proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, Power Point and/or Microsoft Project • Awareness and sensitivity of cross-cultural settings • A preparedness to work with limited resources within a challenging environment. • Patience, tolerance and flexibility 4. Essential personal qualities This individual should be: (i) a self-starter who learns quickly and works well in a fast-paced, team environment, (ii) resourceful and flexible, (iii) an effective communicator, (iv) patient, (v)sensitive interpersonally and (vi) someone who can work well with a variety of individuals. This person should have the initiative to take ideas forward and sometimes to work independently, whilst bearing in mind that local staff should be involved in the work as much as possible. Adaptability is a key to living and working in Cambodia. At the personal level, the volunteer will have to make major adjustments simply to live and work in a different culture and environment.Volunteers need to demonstrate and practice cultural sensitivity. This involves being non-judgmental and accepting of various religious and cultural traditions. Strong in all selection dimensions, especially: positive and realistic commitment, flexibility and adaptability, sensitivity to the needs of others and working with others

This position is open to international volunteers available and willing to work in Cambodia for the length of this placement.

How to apply

If you’re interested in applying for this role, please download the job description to read more details about the position and the skills and experience we’re looking for. To submit your application, click on ‘Apply now’ and complete all relevant fields on the online application form.

Application closing date

31 Mar 2014

Interview/Assessment date(s)

15th April 2014

Start date

04/06/2014

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