AT OXFAM, WE WON’T LIVE WITH POVERTY.
Together we can end extreme poverty for good. Will you join us?
OXFAM IRAQ
JOB DESCRIPTION
Policy, Advocacy and Communications Manager
Closing date: - 08th February 2022
Interview date: - TBC
Vacancy reference: - INT8193 – policy, Advocacy and Communications Manager
Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.*
Shaping a stronger Oxfam for people living in poverty.
About Oxfam
Oxfam is a global movement of people who won’t live with the injustice of poverty. Together we save and rebuild lives in disasters. We help people build better lives for themselves. We speak out on the big issues that keep people poor, like inequality, discrimination against women and climate change. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can live without poverty.
Oxfam GB is a member of the international confederation Oxfam.
Our Team
To campaign with others on the pro-poor agenda to improve lives in Iraq in the short and long term, including rights of IDPs, host communities, remainees and returnees, women’s rights and empowerment, inequality, the conduct of hostilities and an effective and localised humanitarian response. Working closely with Oxfam teams and partners providing humanitarian assistance and resilience work.
Job Purpose
To drive Oxfam’s policy and advocacy work in Iraq, lead on Oxfam’s global Iraq policy work.
Core Details
Location: Erbil
Our package: As Per Oxfam Salary Scale
Internal Grade: C1
Contract type: Global - Fixed Term
Hours of work: 40 hours per week. This is a full-time role; however, Oxfam offers various flexible arrangements which candidates can discuss with the Recruiting Manager at interview stage
This role reports to: Country Director
Staff reporting to this post: Policy Advocacy Advisor and Senior Policy Officer
Annual budget for the post: N/A
Key relationships/interactions: N/A
DBS checks (for roles based in the UK):
Screening checks: All successful candidates will be screened through Refinitiv World-Check One to comply with counter terrorism and financial sanctions regulations.
Key Responsibilities
Advocacy lead:
• Lead on key Oxfam’s policy priorities in Iraq (in close cooperation with in-country, regional and global staff – develop policy, advocacy and campaign strategies), provide situation reports and spot reports.
• Supported by the Policy Advisor, provide advice and guidance on strategies, approaches and best practices for advocacy to programmes staff and partners.
• Support the Country Director in outreach to governmental actors, including politicians, local and regional authorities building strong relationships among officials in Iraq as well as with key actors in the private sector, academia, research institutes and civil society.
• Monitor and take appropriate action on new and ongoing developments in Iraq that are relevant to Oxfam’s work
• Keep up to date with internal or external activities which may influence role
• Liaise with the Humanitarian Programme teams on advocacy issues to help build their advocacy understanding and capacity
• Proactive participation in campaign decision-making fora, working closely with the regional campaign team and other policy and media colleagues to ensure consistent and informed messages and strategies at local, national, regional and global levels
• Provide support to project teams to carry out advocacy and lobby work related to their projects and to identify further opportunities or approaches for advocacy work at the local and national levels
• Work closely with Oxfam and partner programme teams to ensure that Oxfam’s agreed advocacy messages are being articulated
• Drawing on Oxfam’s regional and global support networks, and working closely with partnerships and programme teams in-country, facilitate empowerment, strategic relations, capacity-building and solidarity networks for current and potential Oxfam partners (particularly in terms of rights-based advocacy)
• Prepare advocacy and information materials as needed
• Provide regular contextual analysis updates/briefings, monitoring trends on governance, protection, women’s rights issues as well as civil society action and political context
• Act as a focal point for gender/governance advocacy/research and media issues, as needed
Implementing and Management of Oxfam advocacy strategy.
Lead in the implementation of advocacy strategy based ensuring that Oxfam in Iraq’s influencing work focus on:
• Durable solutions to Displacement - Oxfam in Iraq will take a conflict-sensitive approach to ensuring displaced and returning populations are not discriminated against and have their rights protected as citizens in terms of safety, security, and freedom of movement; adequate standards of living; access to employment and livelihoods; access to effective mechanisms that restore housing, land, and property or compensation thereof; access to personal/civil documentation; voluntary family reunification; participation in public affairs at all levels; and remedies for displacement-related violations.
• Rights in Crisis - Global Displacement and Migration Campaign; Women Peace and Security - Oxfam in Iraq will work closely with campaign leads and affiliates in developing research, sharing policy lines, generating appropriate media and communications coverage, and carrying out public and private advocacy to relevant national, regional, and international targets – all of which will be grounded in our programmatic work and in-depth knowledge of the political and social context on the ground.
• Raising and Amplifying Local Voices - Oxfam in Iraq will map and strengthen existing networks and help build new formal and informal groupings of civil society and community actors engaging in goal-oriented actions to create change at the local level with relevant authorities as relates to rights-based aspects of solutions to displacement.
• Ensuring Increased and Continued Funding to Iraq - Oxfam in Iraq will strengthen awareness of the needs people face and the need for greater international support and funding for the country as it emerges from emergency and conflict, working with stakeholders at local, national, regional, and international levels to connect local level issues facing our beneficiaries to the structural impediments within national government and international support that underlies these problems.
• Emergency Preparedness – Oxfam in Iraq will assess the context and prepare for future crisis and emergency needs, mitigating where possible the toll of further displacement on civilians.
• Protection of civilians - Oxfam in Iraq will be a watchdog for violations of International Humanitarian Law and human rights law affecting the populations we serve. Through research and high-level advocacy, Oxfam will seek to influence the behavior of armed actors, so that displacement, physical harm, and destruction of key civilian infrastructure is avoided
Research, documentation and learning
• In coordination with the programme team, develop research proposals for programmatic research and studies in humanitarian, governance, gender programmes
• Contribute to policy-driven research – including overseeing the work of external consultants
• Explore opportunities for joint research and advocacy with think tanks, universities and/or other NGOs,
• Monitor influential research produced by key donors and think tank institutions relevant to gender/governance programme and provide timely written critiques and responses
• Monitor activities of relevant influential actors, organisations and institutions on governance, humanitarian assistance, protection; and ensure they are considered in campaign decisions
• Ensure documentation and learning of advocacy work
• Scoping, facilitating and encouraging innovative approaches to programming
• Provide regular, consistently high quality reports on advocacy action/research undertaken
Communicating Oxfam’s work externally
• Facilitate and participate in key meetings with the Government, line departments, district councils and civil society, ensuring that Oxfam’s work is known by key stakeholders
• Establish and maintain relationships with key policy think tanks, academic and research institutions in gender and governance; drawing in external expertise or develop partnership for Oxfam’s policy and advocacy work
• Manage the work of the Media/Communications advisor on communication and media, contacting and building a good network within local media
Other
· Required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values as well as the promotion of gender justice and women's rights
· Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles
Skills, Experience and Knowledge
Essential
• First degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (preferably a social development/politics/public policy degree or substantial community development experience
• At least 5 years of practical, direct experience in advocacy, policy or campaign work
• Experience working with partners/CSOs/NGOs in Iraq or the Middle East.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to consistently work with a diverse range of stakeholders with tact and diplomacy
• Self-motivated with proven ability to work creatively and innovatively with limited direct supervision
• Solid knowledge of Iraq’s political, economic and social setting
• Excellent analytical skills, demonstrated ability to think strategically and prioritize policy and advocacy tasks
• Flexible/willing and able to adapt priorities to respond to changing demands, including to global shifts in organizational priorities
• Outstanding English written and verbal communications skills, with an ability to simplify complex concepts both verbally and orally to influence others
• Experience of providing training and engaging in capacity building activities
• Sound knowledge of the context and particularly of governance, humanitarian affairs and women’s rights in a context like Iraq
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural team, as well as independently
• Ability to influence others, excellent social skills and a team player
• Readiness to undertake travel (30% of the time)
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality
Desirable
• Research experience, including familiarity with research methods and practices
• Familiarity with legal protection issues in the Middle East and North Africa region
• Experience in media and advocacy in international non-governmental organisations
• Spoken and written Arabic and Kurdish.
Key Attributes
· Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities
· Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work
· Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible
Organisational Values
· Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions
· Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen
· Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences
How to apply:
Kindly note that, the selection process will be on rolling basis. Due to the urgency of the position, Oxfam has reserves the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.
As part of your online application, please upload your up to date CV and a covering letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile.
For more details about this job, please visit the job advert using below link:
External Web Site: https://jobs.oxfam.org.uk/vacancy/policy-advocacy-and-communications-manager-int8193/16508/description/
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply