Consortium Advocacy and Information Officer at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Reports directly to: The Senior Consortium Coordinator
Duration: 7 Months
Start Date: 1st October, 2018

Key Responsibilities

• The Advocacy and Information Officer will oversee the implementation of the ProSPINE program’s advocacy activities and coordinate reporting requirements;
• Contribute to the development of the ProSPINE strategy and work plans
• Work with staff, community based structures, implementing partners and other stakeholders to develop a policy advocacy strategy and plan for the program
• Establish and maintain partnerships with relevant national and subnational governmental agencies;
• Assess and improve the existing capacity of government at national and sub-national levels to implement, monitor and evaluate their actions to improve the policy environment for the conflict affected populations in North East Nigeria.
• Develop materials and oversee trainings for government officials and other relevant stakeholders on relevant advocacy and policy issues.
• Collaborate with government officials, local NGOs, and other key stakeholders to improve policy formulation and implementation toward more effective prevention, protection, and response for communities
• Coordinate the preparation and implementation of the consortium institutional multi-year advocacy plan.
• Coordinate the research and production of content for advocacy including drafting or inputting into briefing papers, speeches, submissions to intergovernmental meetings, web content, and other institutional reports.
• Coordinate plans and implement advocacy campaigns in coordination with other consortium members.
• Ensure ample and positive collaboration on advocacy-related issues with long-term international partners.
• Provide leadership in exploring the use of new technologies for advocacy.
• Represent the consortium members to external media as appropriate.
• Produce regular updates on the ProSPINE program for selected audiences.
• Organizes relevant training for staff and consortium members.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Visibility and Communications:

• Coordinate the development of a communication and visibility strategy for the consortium; oversee preparation of materials such as brochures and newsletters.
• Assist in coordination of high-level visits by government officials, donor representatives and other special visitors through collaboration with senior leadership, preparation of briefing materials and post-visit visibility.
• Oversee Annual Report development, editing and ensure completion and distribution.
• Assure consortium visibility of programs and key events including: program updates, website, social media sites, etc;

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in peace studies, social sciences, Law, international relations or other related field. Masters preffered.
• Minimum three years of advocacy-related experience and in a humanitarian context:
• Solid knowledge of international human rights instruments and mechanisms.
• Substantive experience concerning production of conflict and policy analysis for advocacy purposes.
• Proven outstanding writing and editing skills in a range of formats for various audiences: news and feature reporting; research reports; newsletters; speeches; opinion pieces; web content.
• Experience in designing and managing successful advocacy campaigns.
• Experience working with policy makers at the national/ international level.

Desired Skills:

• Knowledge of the local languages Hausa and Kanori will be an added advantage
• Self-motivated with a positive attitude and able to work efficiently and accurately to deadlines.
• Highly creative with a proactive attitude and able to generate and implement innovative ideas and strategies.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Excellent collaborative skills and ability to establish effective working relationships with a significant diversity of groups - in terms of culture, religion, geography, and age - across the organization.
• Strong communicator with outstanding written and verbal communication skills.