REGLAP - Policy and Advocacy Advisor Job in Kenya

REGLAP Policy and Advocacy Advisor

Division / Department / Location: Nairobi    

Job Family: Policy & Campaigns

Salary:    
Level:

Oxfam Purpose: 

To work with others to find lasting solutions to poverty and suffering

Team Purpose: 

To Reduce the Vulnerability of dryland Communities through policy and practice change under the HECA Regional Livelihoods programme

Job Purpose:  

The REGLAP Policy and Advocacy Advisor are responsible to supporting consortium members in implementing quality influencing and advocacy strategies. To lead in regional advocacy priorities and engagement with regional bodies as necessary.

Reporting Lines:

Post holder reports to: The REGLAP Programme Co-ordinator

Staff reporting to this post: Non but with the possibility of working with interns as need arises

Budget Responsibility: Yes

Dimensions:

• Operate to tight deadlines using independent judgement
• Works across political contexts in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Regionally
• Lobbying experience and the ability to innovate in problem solving.
• Analyse, interpret and act on complex information from varied and diverse sources.
• Application of expert knowledge of external policy and advocacy environment
• High levels of creativity and ability work with others with divergent experiences and contexts
• Building consensus across diverse actors
• Understanding of gender dynamics in the drylands

Key Responsibilities:

• Working with REGLAP Consortium Members, UN agencies which are part of the ECHO DRRAP decision – FAO, UNICEF, UN ISDR and UNDP DDC.
• Lead on the development of policy, lobby and advocacy work on REGLAP issues for use at regional and global level.
• Supporting country leads and regional leads in developing advocacy/ lobby strategies and in implementation of these plans.
• External representation of REGLAP to key international, regional and national stakeholders as appropriate.
• Support REGLAP Consortium members to develop regional and country lobby and advocacy strategies on resilience, DRR and future of pastoralism with reference to humanitarian and development programmes
• Deliver high quality research on the different options for sustainable livelihoods in the region, working with the Horn of Africa Plan of Action Advisor, Regional Pastoral Advisor, WASH and sustainable livelihood programme colleagues
• Develop with the regional media team a communication strategy and lead in the development of REGLAP media statements, briefings and press releases (at regional level).
• Provide support to country leads on engaging with the media
• Manage and develop the use of new media in REGLAP communications strategy (blogging for example)
• Work as REGLAP lead in targeting IGAD and EAC
• Work closely with Pan Africa Programme to target the AU
• Working with the REGLAP co-ordinator link up with GROW and ACCRA and other lobbying and advocacy opportunities and campaigns within Oxfam to share REGLAP message
• Representing the organisation externally at lobby meetings

Skills and Competence:

E= Essential       D – Desirable

• Strong track record of effective advocacy in East Africa (E)Experience of capacity building and working effectively with civil society in East African contexts (E)
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking ability (E)
• Demonstrable experience working on food security and resilience issues, DRR, pastoralism and sustainable livelihoods in dryland areas (E)
• Track record of high performance and ability to deliver in high pressure environments (E)
• Ability to liaise with and represent Oxfam to wide range of actors (E)
• Ability to think strategically, achieve results with excellent project management skills (E)
• Strong interpersonal skills including good team work (E)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to motivate influence and negotiate both internally and externally, strong English skills (E).
• Excellent organisational skills (D)
• Experience of working with UN agencies, government bodies and RECs and ability to build coalitions and gain consensus (D)
• Sympathy with the aim of Oxfam to end poverty and suffering. (D)

Other: 

This Job description is not incorporated into the employment contract. 

It is intended as a guide and should be viewed as a flexible specification as it may be varied from time to time in the light of strategic developments following discussions with the post holder. 

The post holder will be expected to work to agreed objectives, which should facilitate achievements of the key responsibilities in accordance with the Performance Review Process.