REGLAP Policy and Advocacy Advisor Job in Kenya

Regional Learning and Advocacy Programme for Vulnerable Dryland Communities (REGLAP)

Policy and Advocacy Advisor 

Contract Type:  Fixed term – 1 year 
Level: C2 – National
Job Family: Policy & Campaigns

Salary Range: Kes. 224,782 - 315,180 gross per month plus a competitive benefits package

Background

Oxfam is one of the world's leading humanitarian agencies assisting people affected by natural disasters and conflict throughout the world. 

With over 5,000 staff and dedicated volunteers in more than 80 countries, Oxfam is able to achieve the greatest impact to end poverty and suffering through combining emergency response work, long-term programmes for poverty alleviation and campaigning for lasting change. 

The Horn, East, and Central Africa (HECA) Region is the largest region within Oxfam, covering 8 countries, including Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda. 

The Regional Centre is based in Nairobi and is mandated to provide leadership and support to the Oxfam country programmes in delivering their strategies within the context of programme quality, and efficiency.

REGLAP is a Consortium that works in three countries – Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. 

REGLAP is housed in Oxfam’s Regional Centre and seeks to promote lesson learning and good practice documentation, and carry out advocacy for Governments, NGOs and other Stakeholders on key issues in relation to drought resilience and the drylands.

Oxfam Purpose:

To work with others to find lasting solutions to poverty and suffering

Team Purpose: 

To Reduce the Vulnerability of dryland Communities through policy and practice change under the HECA Regional Livelihoods programme

Job Purpose:  

The REGLAP Policy and Advocacy Advisor are responsible to supporting consortium members in implementing quality influencing and advocacy strategies. To lead in regional advocacy priorities and engagement with regional bodies as necessary.

Reporting Lines:

Post holder reports to: The REGLAP Programme Co-ordinator

Staff reporting to this post: Non but with the possibility of working with interns as need arises

Budget Responsibility: Yes

The role

• Support REGLAP Consortium members to develop regional and country lobby and advocacy strategies on resilience, DRR and future of pastoralism and advise and monitor their implementation. 
• Monitor and analyse the impact of key developments and policies in relation to drought affected dryland populations and help develop advocacy positions.  
• Engage with advocacy and lobbying on dryland Resilience in the three countries that REGLAP works and regionally. 
• Promote pastoral and dryland voice in lobbying and advocacy activities. 

The Person

You will have:

• Experience of working and living in the drylands in the Horn and East Africa on livelihood and drought issues.
• Excellent understanding of community aspirations, policy contexts and changing environments in the drylands;
• Strong track record of effective advocacy in Horn and East Africa, capacity building and working effectively with civil society in East African contexts;
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking ability.
• Ability to think strategically, achieve results with excellent project management skills
• Experience of working with UN agencies, government bodies and RECs and ability to build coalitions and gain consensus 

Dimensions:

• Operate to tight deadlines using independent judgement
• Works across political contexts in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Regionally
• Lobbying experience and the ability to innovate in problem solving.
• Analyse, interpret and act on complex information from varied and diverse sources.
• Application of expert knowledge of external policy and advocacy environment
• High levels of creativity and ability work with others with divergent experiences and contexts
• Building consensus across diverse actors
• Understanding of gender dynamics in the drylands

Key Responsibilities:

• Working with REGLAP Consortium Members, UN agencies which are part of the ECHO DRRAP decision – FAO, UNICEF, UN ISDR and UNDP DDC.
• Lead on the development of policy, lobby and advocacy work on REGLAP issues for use at regional and global level.
• Supporting country leads and regional leads in developing advocacy/ lobby strategies and in implementation of these plans.
• External representation of REGLAP to key international, regional and national stakeholders as appropriate.
• Support REGLAP Consortium members to develop regional and country lobby and advocacy strategies on resilience, DRR and future of pastoralism with reference to humanitarian and development programmes
• Deliver high quality research on the different options for sustainable livelihoods in the region, working with the Horn of Africa Plan of Action Advisor, Regional Pastoral Advisor, WASH and sustainable livelihood programme colleagues
• Develop with the regional media team a communication strategy and lead in the development of REGLAP media statements, briefings and press releases (at regional level).
• Provide support to country leads on engaging with the media
• Manage and develop the use of new media in REGLAP communications strategy (blogging for example)
• Work as REGLAP lead in targeting IGAD and EAC
• Work closely with Pan Africa Programme to target the AU
• Working with the REGLAP co-ordinator link up with GROW and ACCRA and other lobbying and advocacy opportunities and campaigns within Oxfam to share REGLAP message
• Representing the organisation externally at lobby meetings

Skills and Competence:

E= Essential       D – Desirable

• Strong track record of effective advocacy in East Africa (E)Experience of capacity building and working effectively with civil society in East African contexts (E)
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking ability (E)
• Demonstrable experience working on food security and resilience issues, DRR, pastoralism and sustainable livelihoods in dryland areas (E)
• Track record of high performance and ability to deliver in high pressure environments (E)
• Ability to liaise with and represent Oxfam to wide range of actors (E)
• Ability to think strategically, achieve results with excellent project management skills (E)
• Strong interpersonal skills including good team work (E)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to motivate influence and negotiate both internally and externally, strong English skills (E).
• Excellent organisational skills (D)
• Experience of working with UN agencies, government bodies and RECs and ability to build coalitions and gain consensus (D)
• Sympathy with the aim of Oxfam to end poverty and suffering. (D)

This is a highly challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional, with a strong commitment to Oxfam's values and beliefs.  

If you believe you are the candidate we are looking for, please submit your application and CV including a day time contact by applying online at www.oxfam.org.uk/jobs using REF 5316.  

The closing date is: 30th May 2012.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization.

         
Disclaimer:

Oxfam is an equal opportunity employer.

You are not required to pay any fees to apply for jobs at Oxfam.

Oxfam does not conduct recruitments through agents.

Posted in: NGO and UN Jobs