Policy and Advocacy Manager at Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

What you will do:

The Policy and Advocacy Manager is a critical position within the INGO Forum. This position will take leadership of the policy and advocacy engagement of the INGO Forum. The Policy and Advocacy Manager coordinates advocacy for the 54 INGO membership, identifies national, regional, and international opportunities and develops key positioning for the humanitarian and development agendas. The Policy and Advocacy Manager will serve as the focal point for external advocacy, policy development/influencing, networking, coalition building and timely research and analysis. The Policy and Advocacy Manager sets the policy agenda and delivers on advocacy initiatives aimed at improving humanitarian and sustainable outcomes for people affected by conflict, environmental crisis, poverty and other protection and operational challenges in Nigeria.

• Develop, implement, and update NIF common strategies and action plans for Advocacy and Communications in coordination with NIF members and represents their priorities across the humanitarian, development and peace-building agendas
• Develop policy and advocacy outputs including briefing notes, policy and position papers, statements, etc. representing INGOs agreed-on positions and approaches
• Ensure key tools for advocacy and communications are developed and utilized, including stakeholder/power mapping, sign-off procedures, events/opportunity calendars, progress trackers, etc.
• Provide timely policy analysis and information on key priority topics to support the representation and coordination of the INGO Forum Steering Committee, Country Directors Plenary and Humanitarian Managers Platform
• Ensure evidence-based advocacy and information through frequent visits to the field and regular engagement with INGOs operational teams in coordination with NIF team
• Identify strategic entry points in Nigeria, regionally (Lake Chad Basin, African Union) and internationally to elevate Nigeria priorities
• Work closely with the INGO team, including the Director, Deputy Director, NW Coordinator, and Government Liaison colleagues, to ensure that the positions are well coordinated, and the team informed and able to speak to common issues
• Develop talking lines and joint messages on key issues for NIF team and INGOs
• Act as focal/liaison point for international and regional advocacy groups, journalists, and other external stakeholders seeking NGO positions on relevant issues 
• Identify and ensure NIF is well prepared to engage in Nigeria focused platforms and events nationally, regionally, and globally
• Engage and support in data collection efforts to canvass NGO opinion, perspectives and experiences on key issues related to the enabling environment
• Work with NIF team to support relevant and appropriate information flows to members, NGO representatives, and key stakeholders in Nigeria and externally, and facilitate coordination among NIF members to reach common positions around key issues. 
• Representation and lobbying in line with policy strategy and other agreed priorities, when required with local, state and Government of Nigeria; the UN; visiting officials; and donors in line with agreed division of labour with Director and Deputy Director
• Ensure NIF's communication material promotes INGO common messaging by supervising and guiding NIF communications team
• Ensures that NIF advocacy and comms strategies and their implementation plans are well coordinated with NIF members building on their thematic and geographical expertise, and advocacy/comms capacity.
• The NIF policy and advocacy adviser may be required to step in for the director when necessary.

What you will bring:

• Experience in coordination within a humanitarian/recovery context.
• Experience working in complex and volatile contexts.
• Documented results in related responsibilities.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal, and fluency in one or more languages spoken in North-West Nigeria, particularly Hausa, is an advantage. 

Context/Specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• At least five years of progressive experience of leading advocacy and policy engagement portfolios at NGO or UN level in conflict or post conflict contexts 
• Able to proactively lead on formulation of policy analysis, strategy, messages and identification of key targets for impact and influence 
• Proven experience in identifying and mobilising national, regional, or international opportunities 
• Exceptional networking skills and strong experience working with and/or influencing donors, UN, government, and other critical stakeholders 
• Proven experience in drafting position papers 
• Strong understanding of the interlink between advocacy and communication messaging
• Commitment and solid understanding of humanitarian principles 
• Ability to work under pressure and juggle multiple priorities at once 
• Team player 
• Cultural sensitivity 
• Knowledge of Nigeria highly desirable (or complex emergency context) 
• Experience of working in a recovery setting and demonstrated understanding of humanitarian, development, and peace linkages (highly desirable)
• Experience in working in policy and advocacy around development-related issues desirable 
• Experience in working on advocacy for humanitarian access/ principled humanitarian response desirable
• Experience in localization and working with local CSOs.

Behavioural competencies 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent writing, editing, and analytical abilities.
• Proven ability to build relationships and facilitate dialogue among diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to present and represent collective views to various stakeholders.