Policy Lead Agriculture - Specialist A

Oxfam Novib is a world-wide development organization that mobilizes the power of people against poverty.

The GROW team is currently recruiting a

Policy Lead Agriculture - Specialist A

32 hours a week

1 year with the possibility of extension

Based in The Hague

Purpose of the function

Oxfam Novib has started a 3 year project aiming to improve Dutch development investment policies and practices on the agricultural sectors of Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia, focusing on improving the impacts of domestic investment and foreign aid on the livelihoods of women and smallholders in these countries. This project involves collaboration with Oxfam offices and partners in Africa, the US, Italy, and Brussels. Oxfam Novib is recruiting a policy lead agriculture working at Oxfam Novib, responsible for refining and achieving the policy objectives of the project.

This position sits in Oxfam Novibs GROW team. GROW is Oxfam's campaign to fix the global food system. This team is responsible for developing and implementing advocacy and campaign strategies, together with other Oxfam's and country teams where Oxfam (Novib) is present, including developing and implementing projects for (institutional) donors. The policy lead is focused on development and delivery of advocacy strategies and evidence based policy development as part of the global GROW campaign .

Main tasks

Develops project objectives and implements these; leads and/or contributes to the development of theories of change, evidence based policy propositions and advocacy strategies, in co-ordinaton with country offices in Africa, partners, and Oxfam teams and offices in the US, Brussels and Italy.

Contributes to knowledge development and sharing; leads research into the impact of Dutch development investment policies and practices on the agricultural sectors of countries such as Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia, focusing on the impacts on women and smallholders, working with country offices and partners.

Advocates the agreed evidence based policy positions toward the relevant decision makers in the Netherlands by means of conversations, letters, organising debates and engagement with the media.

Networks with Dutch government officials, politicians, private sector representatives, PPPs, NGOs, academia and other civil society actors. Works with (female) farmer representatives and other champions from African countries for presentations to Dutch decision makers and engage them in influencing through media, public events, and use of social media. Organizes and attend conferences, seminars and roundtable events.

Initiates and works together within Oxfam and with country offices on the development of new projects and programs that could be funded by donors. Leads and/or co-ordinates when needed Oxfam advocacy (project) teams.

Works with the project leader to ensure Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) with the aim to continuously enhance the effectiveness of the project.

Job requirements

A university level education on international development / agriculture and over 3 years of work experience in the field of development cooperation preferably with an international agency;

Proven analytical and strategic skills
Strong influencing and convincing skills and a track record of achieving advocacy results
Leadership skills and experience with leading and co-ordinating cross-country teams
Accustomed to working in complex working environments
Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) in Dutch, English and preferably French
Strong networking and influencing skills, accompanied by a strong network with civil servants, politicians, private sector parties, media and other advocacy actors.
Experience in program and project development & management and external fundraising
Willingness to travel abroad;

A network with donor agencies is an asset, while also knowledge of the Oxfam confederation will be considered an asset.

What we offer
Oxfam Novib is committed to providing you with a competitive, fair, and comprehensive pay and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors. The salary range for the position Specialist A is set in scale 10 with a salary range between EU 2.942,00,-- to EU 4.528,00,-- based on 36 hours a week.

Applicants for this contract must be Dutch nationals or a European Union member State or have a valid work permit for the European Union.

More information and application procedure.
Send your motivated letter and CV, at the latest 3rd of August, 2015, by e-mail mentioning reference number 5-8453 to jobs@oxfamnovib.nl for the attention of Marjon Eshuis, Recruiter. For more information about the position you can contactgerard.steehouwer@oxfamnovib.nl.