Senior Advocacy Manager at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Job Overview / Summary

• The Senior Advocacy Manager will provide technical leadership and oversight to the IRC Nigeria advocacy work in line with Strategic Action Plan (SAP) 2022 - 2024 ambitions and will lead the development of Nigeria advocacy plan in close collaboration with the Senior Management team, programs and the Regional Advocacy and Communication Coordinator.
• S/he will be responsible for the context analysis, preparation and implementation of the IRC's advocacy plans at the national and decentralized levels.
• S/he will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to amplify the voices of people whose lives have been impacted by the conflict and crisis, to play a big role and influence decisions about their recovery, resilience building as well as the development and the ability of community leaders, authorities, and service providers to respond to the people’s needs.
• The Senior Advocacy Manager will work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director for  Programs (DDP) and Management in Partnership with the Regional Advocacy and Communication Coordinator with close working relationship and support from the Country Director and Regional Advocacy and Communication Coordinator.
• In country S/he will have close collaboration and coordination with the Deputy Director Field Management, Senior Program Coordinators, Technical Coordinators, MEAL Coordinator, Senior Grants Coordinator, Senior Partnership Manager and Communication Manager.

Major Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership:

• Lead the development of the IRC Nigeria advocacy strategy for in line with Nigeria S100 Strategic Action Plan and the regional advocacy and communication strategies contributes to the delivery of SAP ambitions and programs through advocacy
• Determine the spaces for influencing that the IRC Nigeria can work on through advocacy at the local government, state government and federal government levels.
• Ensure capacity building of country program team on advocacy.
• Build relationships with government stakeholders and provide regular updates to Country Leadership team and SMT on the key outcomes of the engagement.  
• Strengthen client-led advocacy to amplify the voices of communities to their leaders. 
• Work with communities to advocate for the continuation of services after the IRC exit to increase political incentives for doing so.
• Amplify the IRCs presence and voices in the areas of operations and various working groups and initiatives.
• Work closely with regional advocacy and communication coordinator to ensure coordinated approaches on advocacy and feed in regional and global advocacy opportunities so to achieve the most impactful positive change.
• Create innovative advocacy/influencing space to engage with decision makers who can secure positive change for our clients in both short term and long term”.

Improving Program Quality and Impact:

• Keep abreast with government policies and guidelines in key areas of the IRC work in Nigeria
• Work closely with Senior Program Coordinator, Technical Coordinators, Director Field Management and Field Coordinators for context analysis and establish relevant advocacy needs at the field levels and sectoral levels to inform country advocacy plan and messaging’s
• Share the needs and information collected from the field with the Regional Advocacy and Communication Coordinator and together develop relevant advocacy messaging that will help amplify the advocacy voices and this gives value addition to IRC Nigeria advocacy work
• Identify influential and key stakeholders in civil society, state and government structures that can influence changes or key decision makers for issues pertaining the wellbeing our clients.
• Ensure that program teams include relevant advocacy at proposal design
• Participate in the planning and preparation of advocacy events, campaigns, meetings and workshops, (national/international days such as Women’s Day, the Day of the African Child, etc).
• Ensure program learnings are included in advocacy and policy products to make IRC voices unique, more credible, stronger and IRC becoming the “go to” organization.
• Ensure regular monitoring of advocacy and policy work and that regular reflections are undertaken to continuously improve effectiveness and impact of program.
• Work closely with GEDI and women at work (W@W) team to promote women’s rights and breaking down barriers for women and girls and ensure gender equality
• Collaborate with SMT on change of context and required advocacy point to ensure the advocacy messaging aligns with context and update information.
• Develop relevant advocacy product in coordination with the communication team that  includes talking points, letters, briefing notes, position papers, and advocacy reports.
• Contribute in building capacity of civil society organization and local organization in advocacy work.

Coordination and Networking:

• Ensure the IRC representations in key external advocacy and policy forums as appropriate and as agreed with the IRC Nigeria Country Director and Deputy Director of Programs
• Coordinate the IRC Nigeria advocacy messages for local, national, regional and global agendas and medias with the Regional Advocacy and Communication Coordinator
• Engage on bi-weekly call with the WA advocacy & communication Coordinator to align the efforts across the region.
• Build relationships and work with Nigeria INGO Forum, other civil society, or local organizations on key advocacy themes and joint advocacy agendas and facilitate mutual exchanges of information.
• Build key relationship and trusts with state governments.

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to: Deputy Director of Programs and will be managed through management in partnership with the Regional Advocacy and Communication Coordinator
• Indirect/Technical Reporting: Country Director, who will hold the sign off authority for advocacy and policy messages developed.
• Position directly Supervises: N/A.

Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program: Country Director, SMT, Senior Program Coordinators, Technical Coordinators, MEAL Coordinator, Senior Grants Coordinator, Communication Manager, Senior Partnership Manager, Field Coordinators and Managers
• Region / Global: Advocacy team where applicable
• Key External Contacts: UN agencies, Nigeria INGO Forum, Civil Society Organization, and local partners.

Qualifications
Education:

• Master's Degree in Development in Development, Humanitarian Studies, Advocacy, Policy, Communication, Law or Social Science or equivalent.

Work Experience:

• 3 - 5 years of experience in advocacy and policy work in protracted humanitarian or development settings, preferably with an INGO. 
• Experience in leading and developing advocacy and policy strategy
• Experience in building inter agency coalition and relationship for the purpose of policy influencing
• Proven analytical skills and ability to work with others to develop advocacy strategy into action and communicate the action to wider audiences
• Commitments to humanitarian principles and actions
• Experience in advocacy for marginalized and minority groups, women, IDPs, Refugees, etc.
• This role is open only for national candidates who meet the required qualifications.

Demonstrated Managerial / Leadership Competencies:

• High level of self-awareness, interpersonal and communication skills
• Must have good time management, multitasking skills
• Good teamwork and leadership skills are essential to motivate different groups of people to fulfil their responsibilities within a given time frame.
• Demonstrates well-developed interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, as well as negotiation skills.
• Ability to work with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Values diversity, inclusion, people with disabilities and minorities groups
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations with minimal supervision and without compromising on deadlines or quality.

Languages: 

• Excellent written and spoken skills in English.
• Fluency in Hausa and Kanuri is an advantage.

Computer / Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. 

Ability to Travel:

• 40% of travel time to program locations.