Advocacy Officer
IRC
Job Type
Full Time
Location
Somalia
Description :
Organization: International Rescue Committee
Country: Somalia
Closing date: 25 Feb 2017
Background:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the largest humanitarian agencies in the world, providing relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of oppression and violent conflict. The IRC has worked for over seven decades and today is involved in over 25 conflict zones in the world. We address both the immediate, life saving needs of conflict-affected people in an emergency and the reconstruction needs in post conflict societies. The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and thorough accountability to those we serve. The IRC is an international agency with offices in London, New York, and Geneva.
For the last nine years, the IRC has helped Somali populations address their basic humanitarian needs, while simultaneously supporting localized longer term opportunities. With a strong footprint in South Gaalkacyo (since 2007), Mogadishu (since 2011), Garowe (since 2012), and Dhusamareb (since 2015), the IRC has developed a solid humanitarian portfolio in the field of health, women’s protection and empowerment, water, hygiene and sanitation, and economic empowerment. In addition, the IRC piloted a local governance program in Puntland as a way to bridge local participation and community development.
Summary of Responsibilities:
The role of the Advocacy Officer is a varied one, requiring significant skills in networking and building relationships across a range of actors in health; from Ministry of health, International and local organizations and the private sector. The post-holder will need outstanding document drafting skills and the ability to communicate orally and in writing with a range of audiences, from technical experts to lay people, including returnees served by this grant. He/she needs to have a thorough knowledge of Somalia health system and human resource policies. He/she will represent the organization within certain formal and ad hoc advocacy networks and groups and target policy makers and other key stakeholders to provide an overview of the program and seek for their support in order to achieve the performance indicators for the grant. The post holder will report to the Senior Health and Nutrition Coordinator.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead a high profile meeting with the MoH to provide an overview of the program and discuss next steps to achieve program performance indicators.
- Organize at least two meetings with DHMT to shape IRC engagement with key institutional bodies, and organize ongoing stakeholder meetings to keep them updated on the project’s performance and solicit their buy in.
- Liaise with the midwifery association and the MoH and advocate for job placement for medical staff mainly returnees from Daadab refugee camps.
- Represent IRC at Somalia networks, fora, conferences and events to advocate for job placement for medical staff returnees from Daadab refugee camps.
- Create and maintain internal systems, including contact lists of all medical staff returnees from Daadab refugee camps, diaries of planned meetings with the MoH and other stake holders and . Support the web- based consultant in pre-designing and organizing meetings with relevant actors for the successful implementation of a web based E- recruitment system.
- Organize for meetings with various key stakeholders(Heads of private hospitals and other private health facilities including pharmacies, International and local NGOs) for health in Somalia to provide overview of the program in general and to advocate for job placement for medical staff- returnees from Daadab refugee camps.
- Develop advocacy strategies and activities in line with IRC organization aims to enhance IRC profile and promote job placement for returnees.
- Take a leading role in the development of documentation and dissemination of advocacy materials and packages within the organization and to key stakeholders, related to the progress of staff training, job placement and relations with the key stakeholders as regards project implementation.
- Work with the Senior Health and Nutrition Coordinator in the development of work plans,targets and milestones for advocacy activities.
- Develop effective strategies, work plans, and monitoring and evaluation plans for the advocacy activities.
- Support the Senior Health and Nutrition Coordinator in budget setting processes for advocacy activities and provide reports and budget updates as required.
Reporting and Coordination:
- Provide formal and continuous overview of the program to the MoH and other stakeholders.
- Liaise with the medical associations and advocate for job placement for staff.
- Represent IRC in Health Coordination meetings with implementing partners and in other Health related forums.
- Prepare and submit monthly reports and updates as required.
Required qualifications and experience:
- Degree/Diploma in related field such as law, international relations, public policy, political science, communication or public health; and a minimum of five (5) years’ experience.
- Excellent knowledge of the principles of advocacy and what it involves at a high level of stakeholders engagement.
- Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication.
- Ability to address a range of issues in the context of humanitarian action, political developments, public attitudes and local conditions.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and with a high degree of creativity.
- Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources.
- Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships.
- Demonstrated analytical, verbal and written communication skills in English, including public speaking.
- Experience of working in networks and building strong working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to set an example of leadership.
- Must be able to travel domestically within Somalia.
How to apply :
Full description of this position and application details can be viewed through our website https://www.rescue.org/careers.
Deadline for Applications: 25th February 2017. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.