EU Conflict & Humanitarian Policy Advisor

EU Conflict & Humanitarian Policy Advisor

Closing date:  Sunday 3 November 2013 23:00 GMT

Interviews: Early December (date tbc) at Oxfam International’s Brussels office.

Based in Oxfam EU Advocacy Office, Brussels, Belgium

Permanent Contract

Salary: Circa 60,300 EUR

How can the European Union increase its impact in preventing, responding to and rebuilding after conflicts?

How can Europe act to ensure fundamental human rights and humanitarian principles are upheld?

How would you advise Oxfam work to deliver these outcomes?

Oxfam is an International confederation of 17 independent, non-governmental organizations working together in 98 countries to achieve our vision of ‘a just world without poverty’. Our Secretariat is based in Oxford, with Advocacy and Campaigns offices in Washington DC, New York, Brussels, Geneva, Brasilia and Addis Ababa.  

Our EU office in Brussels is looking for an exceptional individual with technical expertise and professional experience working in advocacy and policy development on humanitarian and/or conflict issues in an international development or global policy context. S/he will work closely with Oxfam policy teams in the field and European affiliates to develop and implement strategies to influence EU policies and practices on these issues.

S/he will also have direct experience of working with political & governmental stakeholders to influence change. Analytical skills and able to think strategically as well as creatively are a must, and the successful candidate will have excellent communication skills and a track record in policy influencing and knowledge of EU institutions .

Job Purpose

• To develop and lead the implementation  of advocacy strategies to influence the European Union (EU) institutions and Member States on conflict and humanitarian issues, in line with Oxfam’s priorities.
• To undertake policy and political analysis aimed at strengthening Oxfam’s understanding of, and ability to influence relevant EU humanitarian/conflict policies and practices. 
• To develop and maintain key relationships with the relevant EU institutions and policy makers to lead the implementation of Oxfam’s advocacy vis-à-vis the EU on issues related to conflicts and humanitarian crisis.
• To undertake internal coordination work in the EU Advocacy office.

Job Dimensions

• Builds, manages and influences relationships across the confederation to deliver agreed outcomes
• Significant autonomy to anticipate and plan work
• Assimilates and processes complex information, identifies trends and recommends plans and actions
• High internal impact requiring complex analysis and problem solving
• Subject area specialist with wide ranging experience, ability to advise at senior level and design workable solutions to complex problems

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the development and the implementation of advocacy strategies designed to influence the humanitarian/conflict policies and practices of the European institutions and key Members States as part of Oxfam’s global strategies  for the Confederation

Leading the Secretariat in:

• Develop and maintain key relationships within the relevant EU institutions. Lobby politicians and officials, especially in Brussels, based on an agreed contact management strategy.
• Provide analysis and policy development, from an EU perspective on global conflict and humanitarian campaign and advocacy priorities for Oxfam.
• Prepare policy briefings, letters and presentations and other written materials for internal and external use.
• Organize and manage events in Brussels to support Oxfam’s advocacy objectives.
• Represent Oxfam International in lobby meetings, conferences, consultation meetings and international fora as appropriate.
• Work closely with other humanitarian, development and human rights NGOs and networks in the context of joint advocacy initiatives at EU level.
• Provide tailored information and advice to members of the Oxfam family on EU humanitarian/conflict issues, targets and developments. 
• Coordinate key humanitarian/conflict areas of OI advocacy with Oxfam affiliates, particularly in Europe, OI advocacy offices, and allies.
• Manage an information database of contacts relevant to OI’s humanitarian/conflict advocacy at EU level
• Provide advice and support to Oxfam programs in developing countries that are engaged in EU-related humanitarian/conflict advocacy
• Organize and manage specific coordination projects within the EU Advocacy office, with Oxfam affiliates and allies.

Key Working Relationships

Reports to Head of OI EU Advocacy office  (Brussels) ; OI EU Communications & Media Officer (Brussels)

Key OI Teams:

• Oxfam’s Conflict and Humanitarian (Rights in Crisis ) Campaign Lead and Coordinator
• Oxfam Campaign and Policy Leads on specific crisis (OI RiC priorities at EU level) – e.g. Somalia, OPTI, DRC, South Sudan, Syria, etc.
• European affiliates colleagues working on OI RiC priorities at EU level
• Oxfam leads on thematic priorities (e.g. protection)

 
Key Competencies

Leadership and Management:

• Effective negotiation abilities and informal leadership skills in a multi-stakeholder,
• network environment
• Demonstrable organizational and project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects to deadlines
• Knowledge of international conflict and humanitarian contexts and main policy
• processes
• Excellent knowledge of EU decision making processes and relevant EU institutions (ways of working, agendas, and how to influence them) 
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills and ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Track record in policy influencing towards governments and/or international institutions
• Ability to prioritize, plan, organize work in a complex institutional setting.

Communication

• Excellent communication skills for lobbying and media work, diplomatic approach when needed and awareness of political sensitivities
• Strong inter-personal skills, and ability to work well and flexibly in hard-working teams, , including teams working across countries and time-zones, while also able to take initiative and work under pressure with limited supervision.
• Knowledge of or experience of various types of influencing, including media, popular mobilization/public campaigning
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to write substantial pieces of analysis.
• Fluent spoken and written English

Competence in other European languages, especially French, is desirable.

Overseas experience desirable

Demonstrable affinity with the aims and objectives of the Oxfam Confederation

• Ability to think and work in a multi-disciplinary way 
• Ability to operate effectively in a network environment
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities

 
Works in a way that demonstrates the Secretariat’s values and behavioral competencies:

• Honest and transparent
• Accountable
• Professional and striving for excellence
• Proactive and solutions oriented

The post-holder must have the legal right to be employed in Belgium.

Short-term international travel will be required.

To apply, please click here