Advocacy Officer at CARE International

Job Summary

• The Advocacy Officer will work under the supervision of the Project Manager. The Advocacy Officer will take led in advocating following the outcome of protection monitoring and concerns identified by CARE to relevant government agencies and private sector, that will result in change in policies and access to humanitarian service. financing and sound public policies in target countries.
• The Advocacy Officer will be based in Ngala S/he is expected to work closely with the Project team and partners to support the implementation of the project and the production of deliverables according to the planned timelines.
• S/he is accountable for supporting specific research and content development analysis, tracking policy developments relevant to the project, participating in strategy development and execution, stakeholder engagement and providing general administrative support.

Details

• CARE International in partnership with EYN Project through ECHO funding are implementation a protection/GBV intervention by providing life-saving assistance through integrated protection support to conflict-affected populations (newly displaced, returnees, refugees and host ) in hard to reach areas in Borno State, Northeast Nigeria to eliminate gender-based violence, human and child rights violations in Borno State through advocacy and awareness raising for improve access to GBV specialized services, decrease in harmful traditional/social practices, and improve GBV survivors coping mechanisms’ and other vulnerable persons’ access to basic needs of life in safe, accessible and timely manner.General protection concerns and Gender-based violence (GBV) are one of the most serious yet under-reported issues in Nigeria. People in northeast Nigeria, particularly in Gomboru/Ngala local government area in Borno state, are affected by protection issues, particularly GBV in various forms.
• GBV is a widespread problem in Northeast Nigeria and stems from existing complex inequalities and cultural practices perpetrated by individuals, institutions, and legal frameworks and services.
• The existing patriarchal societies, lack of proper implementation of the rule of law, traditional harmful gender practices, negative societal norms that place women at disadvantage, a culture of impunity against perpetrators, and the ongoing conflict in the region have further exacerbated the situation

Job Responsibility
Program support:

• He/she will support with the development of CARE Protection & Advocacy Strategy, as part of the protection analysis and strategy development process.
• Develop evidence-based protection advocacy tools based on CARE outcome of protection monitoring, but not limited to protection data, in coordination with other CARE units and sectors.
• Support the Gender and Protection Sector Manager and the Project Manager with protection advocacy with key stakeholders, including government agencies, partners, UN agencies, INGO Forum and in humanitarian coordination forums in Borno State.
• Support the Gender and Protection Sector to develop protection assessment and monitoring tools and guidelines, ensuring regular review and continual improvement based on lessons learned in the field.
• Work closely with the Project Manager to carry out Advocacy mapping, to ensure all relevant actors are carried along.
• Taking the lead on following up of action points from each advocacy visit and meetings.
• Work closely with the Sector and Project Manager, advocacy team and programmes to develop advocacy messages on the key protection issues and a workplan to implement them.
• Support protection monitoring and assessment interviews with vulnerable communities’ members and individuals.
• Lead in the analysis of protection data and the preparation of tools and drafting of protection assessments, protection monitoring reports, advocacy and policy notes, and other documents for internal and external use.
• Oversee service mapping exercises and actively support the Gender and Protection sector to strengthen referral systems and mechanisms.
• Develops strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of promotional objectives; serves as a spokesperson/principal communications and advocacy liaison of the project to governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, international organizations in project location,
• Takes the lead in organizing media outreach; arranges all media contacts, press briefings, and interviews; provides talking points and other materials as needed for staff; responds to media inquiries in accordance to CARE advocacy and communication policy

Trainings / Capacity building:

• In collaboration with the Project Manager to facilitate training and other capacity-building activities for all project key stakeholders.
• Training of CARE staff/ Partner staff and community structures on Advocacy strategy development.
• Develop staff capacities on participatory protection assessments and monitoring displacement and return monitoring, the inclusion of vulnerable marginalize groups though training, mentoring, and coaching of CARE / Partner staff and protection committee.
• Train and mentoring of CARE national staff for a wider understanding of a rights-based approach.
• Ensure technical quality of protection and advocacy responses though supervision of National staff and Partner.
• Advice on the general approach of the CARE programme in line with current re-search and developments in the area of rights-based approach for ECHO Project.
• Provide regular Advocacy trainings as needed, for field staff and partners to ensure proper implementation of the Advocacy plan

Reporting and Documentation:

• Establish a filing system for various Advocacy activities to ensure easy retrieval of information as and when needed.
• Develop an appropriate project needs base on the outcome of protection monitoring and concern identified.
• Analyze and synthesis collected protection information, including reports with recommendations for programmatic responses for reducing and mitigating protection gaps.
• Analyze and report on relevance, outcomes, and impact of CARE protection related activities to provide lessons learnt and to identify best-practices.
• Assist in developing and drafting donor proposals and reports.
• Documentations of lessons learnt good practices for the sector.
• With assistance from the Project manager lead the reporting of project information Advocacy related and program Impact and Information Reporting.
• Direct reporting to the project manager

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Liaise with the national and local authorities and support the process of building cooperation with them, including developing the memorandums, position papers, joint action plans, reports, etc.
• Establish and maintain effective communication and coordination with the key advocacy stakeholders within formal and informal coordination forums/working groups/clusters, including local civil society actors, (i)NGOs, donors, UN agencies, etc.
• Conduct legal and policy research and provide timely and context-specific information updates to internal and external stakeholders on the humanitarian situation in Nigeria, policy, and legal developments.
• Ensure coordination and harmonization of CARE Gender/ Protection and Advocacy related activities externally with other agencies and partners, and internally within the Northeast regional.
• Support the development of initiatives within the community-driven development communities that support increased respect of politically and socially marginalized groups such as women and Girls, Men and Boys youth and minorities.
• Establishment of strong monitoring and networking relationships with the communities
• Act as CARE focal point for Advocacy activities in Ngala LGA and Borno state.
• Establish strong operational links and ensure an adequate information sharing system with CARE Nigeria.
• Ready to take any other assign responsibility given by line manager to avoid vacuum
• Resource Mobilization
• Contribute to CARE’s resource mobilization efforts
• Other Responsibilties as Assigned

Requirements

Education
Required:

• University Degree, preferably in Human Rights, International Law, or related field. 3 years’ work experience within the field of Gender and Protection sector, human rights, access to justice

Desired:

• Postgraduate Degree or equivalent in Human Rights or International Law, international relations, Development and humanitarian studies/related field

Experience
Required:

• Experience working with NGO’s, INGOs in complex emergencies.
• Experience in participatory protection assessment and community-based protection activities.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
• Experience with capacity building of national staff, and in convening and facilitating trainings and workshops.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective and working relations with local staff and other stakeholders.
• Commitment to CARE Humanitarian Accountability Framework.
• Experience and willingness to work in the field. (Ngala)
• Experience living and working in a cross-cultural, multi-sector, insecure, remote area environment, under team conditions.
• Ability to work well under pressure and in adverse conditions.
• Substantial project and people management skills and experience.
• Experience with advocacy work and building relationships with community members, community leaders and established structures.

Desired:

• Previous experience working with an NNGOs INGO or a Development organization.
• Strong data analysis skills
• Excellent lobbying and negotiation skills
• Ability to influence decision
• Excellent facilitation, coaching and training skills

Technical Skills
Required:

• Fluency in English and Hausa understanding of Kanuri/Shuwa is added advantage
• Competent in use and application of Microsoft word, Excel, and power point.

Desired:

• Organised and able to manage own time under guidance and direction from line-manager
• Commitment to CARE’s overall aims and beliefs, including strong commitment to gender, diversity issues, equal opportunities, and capacity building
• Strong interpersonal and self-awareness skills
• Ability and willingness to undertake extensive travel in the country
• Well-developed conceptual, critical, analytical thinking and planning skills
• Ability to take Initiative, drive to achieve results, ability to develop effective organizations Understanding and experience of gender equity issues and their relevance to humanitarian response work.
• Ability to work effectively with others, adaptive and flexible.

Competencies:

• Strong level of autonomy to provide independent follow through on processing issues and concerns
• Excellent planning, organizational and time management skills
• Integrity.
• Details focus.
• Strong team player.
• Strong problem solving, analytical, operational, and coordinating abilities.
• Good interpersonal, oral, and written communication and presentation skills.
• Strong customer service focus and ability to work well with people from various backgrounds and cultures at all levels in organization.

Working Condition

• Field work:  60-80%
• Office work: 20-40%