Policy and Advocacy Specialist at Search For Common Ground’s International

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of high level dialogues:
• Policy and Advocacy Program oversight, quality assurance, reporting:

Leadership

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties.

Representation and coordination:

• Under the guidance of the Head of Programme Implementation – Niger Delta, represents Search in the project implementation initiatives;
• Develop a stakeholder engagement strategy and lead in its implementation
• Provides strong coordination support to NGOs, partners, and national authorities through the establishment of wider consultation and collaborative processes to achieve the project goal.
• Lead the planning processes for implementing high level Niger Delta dialogues at National, Regional and State levels.
• Lead the mapping of stakeholders and advocacy engagement to secure their participation at the dialogues.
• Facilitate high level Niger Delta dialogues at National, Regional and State levels
• Advises Country Management on program and high level stakeholder engagement needs.
• Ensures proper implementation of the policy and advocacy component of the project during the No cost extension phase. 
• Collaborate with the Head of Programme Implementation and Project Manager in attainment of project expected results in the implementation states, in close collaboration with the Head of Programme Implementation;
• Ensures effective application of results-based management methodologies.
• Develop and monitor project work-plans, effectiveness and achievement of results;
• Monitors budgets versus actuals and cash-flow for the policy and advocacy component of the project;
• Steer the project’s policy and advocacy activities to meaningfully address needs in the ever-changing context;
• Contribute to all donor and internal reports within internal deadlines and to expected quality;
• Build coalitions and networks with local partners for the project's effectiveness.
• Contribute to the discussions around overall strategy and direction of the country program and the organization;
• Ensure that the project is maintaining a coordinated and agreed information exchange both internally and in its dealing with external parties;
• Ensure effective implementation and compliance with the overall finance and guidance manual and compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements;

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related area required while a Masters in Conflict Resolution, International Relations, Project Management or related field would be an added benefit;

Required Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in high level policy and advocacy, facilitating high level dialogues, mainstreaming Do No Harm and conflict sensitivity into programming.

Other Relevant Requirements

• Knowledge of and exposure to a wide range of peace, conflict transformation, governance, development and humanitarian issues;
• Good knowledge of the country context, context of the Niger Delta Region and ability to network with both civil society and public sector
• Good interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional working relationships;
• Analytical capacity, including the ability to analyze and articulate peace, human security and conflict issues;
• Ability to work with people at all levels, ranging from high-level national officials to community leaders;
• Experience in setting performance objectives of teams and leading a team.
• Willingness to keep abreast of new developments on security sector reforms, policies,  laws  and peace-building fields;
• Good knowledge of Niger Delta Region, including the political, economic, development and social dimensions;
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite) and other software's
• Detail-oriented with ability to meet deadlines, both prescribed and self-imposed
• Willingness and desire to learn while demonstrating self-initiative
• Ability to adapt to new cultures and work in diverse environments
• Demonstrated ability to foster a culture of respect and inclusion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English is a requirement