Crisis Context Lead at Christian Aid

Role Context

This is a demanding role that requires flexibility and speed, good political judgement and strong writing and analytical skills. It will be approximately 40% externally focused and 60% thought leadership and policy analysis. Skills will include an ability to work well and collaborate across teams and functions, synthesise information, and strong analytical and communications skills. This role will work closely with relevant programme, humanitarian, development, peacebuilding and advocacy colleagues on some of the most complex and fragile crisis contexts in which we work.  It will advise UK and international level advocacy particularly targets at for example, the EU,  OCHR and UN Department of Political Affairs on protracted crises such as  Afghanistan, Ukraine, and East Africa ( contexts to be decided after prioritisation process with the International Department) and when  appropriate any other countries which descend into crisis. The role will  challenge long-term drivers and root causes of fragility and conflict which compound vulnerability and escalate the severity of crisis contexts. We believe that humanitarian intervention, peacebuilding and long-term development are interconnected. We work towards capacity for a localised response to crises, and a durable transition from violence to peace. Christian Aid believes that an effective response to a humanitarian crisis requires a coherent mix of immediate emergency response to meet lifesaving needs; longer-term resilience interventions to strengthen community capacities to cope with future shocks; and advocacy to tackle root causes of the crisis. We work with advocacy partners, including churches, to do this work

About you

The post-holder will be an expert who has experience working in and on crisis settings who can evidence publishing cutting edge analysis. Used to advocating within global influencing spaces at the highest-level,  they will drive  impact on complex crisis contexts undertaking evidence-based policy development and  transforming this into impactful advocacy products such as reports, speaking on panels etc.  

The Crisis Contexts lead  will understand fragility, its drivers and the political economy of crisis  and how this is impacted by restrictions on civic space.  They will also be able to suggest solutions for example  in conflict settings steps towards  building peace and resilience. Working diplomatically and in conjunction with the International Department and policy and advocacy colleagues, this role will facilitate processes to bring together country staff, humanitarian, development, peacebuilding and advocacy colleagues with strategic advisers to fully understand and analyse the above and extra-territorial country contexts, and draft policy and advocacy responses to address specific crises.   The post-holder will use a feminist and decolonised approach to all their work. 

Using their  knowledge and experience they will identify and prioritise a few contexts where Christian Aid has unique added value and build  a strategic influencing pathway to change. Working  with senior allies in peer organisations and think tanks, to identify political opportunities for change in even the most forgotten, complex or intractable crises. They will  build coalitions of the willing with external allies to advance a policy agenda with global and UK targets. Working closely with the Global Advocacy Lead, the Chief of UK Advocacy and Policy, and relevant humanitarian and From Violence to Peace  colleagues, the post holder will take an active lead in lead the development and implementation of a crisis contexts strategy  and in steering and managing appropriate advocacy responses to crises, this will always be done  in close coordination with country staff as well as develop where appropriate country specific products. 

Key outcomes 

• ​​Ensure that Christian Aid’s crisis contexts, policy analysis, positioning and research and writing on crises is rigorous, influential and strategic.  
• ​Christians Aid’s knowledge products, research and positioning are legitimate and credible and co-developed with the research and learning team undertaking a decolonised approach.  
• ​There is a clear Crisis Contexts strategy that allows for long term objectives i.e.(policy and advocacy work)  tackling the root causes of crisis , alongside an ability to scale up emergency response advocacy 
• ​This  strategy is supported by a focused, well-articulated and realistic plan on crisis contexts  that is developed with our countries, and which is rooted in our programming, and that ensures the correct  attention is paid to change within countries and  global and Uk advocacy.  
• ​Manage our partnership portfolio of partners working in crisis contexts with integrity, valuing their knowledge and expertise and ensuring that Christian Aid opens spaces to them to advocate on their own behalf and where that’s not possible advocate on their behalf.. 
• ​In partnership with the Head of Global Advocacy and Policy mobilise the Christian Aid Crisis Response mechanism when appropriate. 
• ​Working with others across Christian Aid divisions to advise and provide technical policy and advocacy support to country programs, senior management and technical advisers on crisis contexts and other relevant policy areas such as resilience, food security, localisation, civic space, and conflict prevention. 
• ​Represent Christian Aid externally particularly in high level spaces to drive influencing agendas on issues fragility and crises. . 
• ​Build strategic alliances, coalitions and partner relationships including church partners  to maximise impact towards Christian Aid’s advocacy goals and objectives   
• ​Ensure crisis specific staff receive the information that they need to deliver on a crisis ​ 

Essential 

• ​​Degree or equivalent. Graduate qualification in relevant social science or development studies, or commensurate experience. 
• ​Demonstrable experience of leading policy analysis and thought leadership on civic space, fragility, and crisis, leading rapid response to develop an agile and impactful crisis advocacy response. 
• ​Experience of having worked in a humanitarian or crisis context. 
• ​Strong understanding of conflict, peace, resilience, localisation and humanitarian issues and actors, including as they relate to international development, poverty, and inequality. 
• ​Demonstrable experience of publishing policy products 
• ​Strong understanding of how political and policy change happens and of effective advocacy strategies  
• ​Proven experience of building constructive working relationships with diverse stakeholders, and of working in networks or coalitions  
• ​Experience of developing policy on humanitarian or conflict issues, preferably in an affected country.  
• ​Experience in representing corporate policy and advocacy positions to various audiences  
• ​Ability to communicate complex issues simply, both verbally and in writing.  
• ​Proven ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise work effectively.  
• ​Excellent written and spoken English 
• ​Commitment to Christian Aid’s mission, vision, and values​