The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a non-governmental, humanitarian organization with 60 years of experience in helping to create a safer and more dignified life for refugees and internally displaced people. NRC advocates for the rights of displaced populations and offers assistance within the shelter, education, emergency food security, legal assistance, and water,sanitation and hygiene sectors.
The Norwegian Refugee Council has approximately 4000 committed and competent employees involved in projects across four continents. In addition, NRC runs one of the world’s largest standby rosters -NORCAP, with 650 professionals, ready to be deployed on 72 hours notice when a crisis occurs
The NRC Horn of Africa mission is an expanding program. From operating in Somaliland (SL) since 2004, in Puntland (PL) 2006 and in South Central (SC), with presence in Mogadishu, NRC, in 2007 started operations in the refugee camps in Dadaab, Kenya and has since then expanded to Ethiopia in 2011 (Dollo Ado, Shire, Assosa, Gambella and Jijiga), in Yemen (Saa’na, Aden and Harradha),Djibouti in 2013. In 2014, NRC Horn of Africa took over programmes in South Sudan (Northern Bar-eGhazel, Warrap state, Central Equatorial, Eastern and Late state) and Uganda (Adjumani) and light foot print in Eritrea in 2013.The programme activities comprise all 5 NRC global core competencies: Shelter; Water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH); Education including youth education and teacher training; Food security, livelihoods and distribution; and Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA). Protection is emphasized and should be mainstreamed across all sectors. The scope of the programs range from emergency response to acute crises, to supporting durable solutions for displaced persons. Obtaining and maintaining access to the displaced populations remains the main operational challenge in the Horn of Africa region and in particular in Somalia. Advocacy activities based on experience from the ground is an important global and local tool to increase displaced people’s access to humanitarian assistance and protection.
The purpose of the Protection and Advocacy Adviser (PAA) is to strengthen NRC's advocacy, protection and information work in the Horn of Africa region, and to facilitate implementation of, and consistency with, NRC’s global strategies and policies within the regional programme. It is a strategic advisory position reporting to the Regional Director (RD), supporting the Country Directors (CD) and Area Managers in the field, and managing the regional Information officer. The PAA is a member of the Regional Management Team and can undertake representation on behalf of NRC as agreed with the RD. The position-holder is the focal point for the programme on advocacy and information work, and will be required to closely interact with programme staff, the NRC Head Office, NRC in Geneva/IDMC, NRC Europe (Brussels) and other NRC country offices with the knowledge and approval of the RD.
Job description
Ensure that NRC’s global advocacy and protection strategies and policies are implemented
Ensure that protection, advocacy and gender is mainstreamed into the overall country strategy
Strengthen NRC's response to prioritized country advocacy and protection issues both within the country and internationally
Provide timely and context specific information to internal and external stakeholders
Support and train programme staff to mainstream protection and do-no-harm into their projects and activities
Ensure that core competency staff identify and respond to prioritised advocacy and protection concerns
Play an active and strategic role in the humanitarian community to strengthen the advocacy and protection response in accordance with the country strategy
Specific tasks are:
Manage the regional internal and external communication work, including media outreach and production of communication products in conjunction with the Regional information officer.
Ensure that NRC’s regional advocacy plan is developed, updated, implemented and integrated in the overall regional strategy.
Advocacy
Act as the focal point for the updating and implementation of the Horn of Africa advocacy plan, in line with the NRC regional strategy process.
Produce advocacy products such as briefing notes, talking points, position papers and articles.
Contribute with appropriate context and protection analysis in NRC Horn of Africa donor applications and reports.
Seek funding to support advocacy and protection activities.
Engage in relevant advocacy and protection fora and networks.
Support the RD/CDs in engagement with the international community, humanitarian actors and national and local authorities.
Represent NRC in relevant public and private forums, and act as a spokesperson as agreed and approved by the RD.
Protection
Be updated on relevant protection policies and issues in the region, and international protection standards and developments.
Support field staff in identifying and addressing protection gaps and concerns; using advocacy as a tool as relevant (NB! The responsibility for programmatic Protection mainstreaming lies with the programme department).
Assist with fundraising and drafting/review of proposals for regional programme advocacy.
Report regularly through NRC reporting systems on agreed indicators and initiatives; contribute to the country programme quarterly reporting; and report to the RD on activities and achievements as requested.
Manage specific protection and advocacy projects (incl. budgets)
Qualifications
University degree or higher education: preferably in social sciences, international policy or international development, law or communication/journalism.
At least 5 years experience in humanitarian work, including a minimum of 2 years humanitarian field experience.
Minimum 3 years of experience from working as a Protection and Advocacy Adviser/Manager in a humanitarian/recovery context
At least 2-3 years experience in humanitarian advocacy and protection with responsibilities such as strategy development, planning and implementation of activities, as well as analysis and the drafting of reports, documents, talking points, etc.
Sound working knowledge of relevant protection frameworks and International Humanitarian, Human Rights and Refugee Law, as well as the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
Proven experience of media and information work (writing, editing, photography, etc.) preferably in the humanitarian sector.
Proven experience in working in complex emergencies. Candidates with work experience from an international NGOs or the UN will be given preference.
Proven experience in advocacy and/or protection training and staff mentoring will be a plus.
Demonstrated representation/presentation experience in private and public forums, including as a media spokesperson.
Sound understanding of protection and humanitarian coordination, funding and leadership mechanisms; and experience of working with protection cluster or sectoral coordination.
Knowledge of the political and humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa region.
Professional knowledge of humanitarian and protection principles
Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
Fluency in English, both written and verbal
Valid driver’s license
Education field
Social sciense
Journalism / Communications
Law
Political science
Education level
College / University, Bachelor's degree
Personal qualities
Managing resources to optimize results
Analyzing
Influencing
Handling insecure environments
Ability to represent NRC in an appropriate manner, using discretion where necessary
Proven strategic advocacy skills such as communication, representation, negotiation and diplomacy.
Proven analytical and drafting skills in English.
Political, gender, cultural and security sensitivity.
Ability to rapidly attain insight and understanding of the human rights and humanitarian situation, as well as the political and security context in the country.
Above average computer literacy.
Goal- and action-oriented
Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision
Ability and willingness to travel, work and live under difficult circumstances
Flexible, creative and positive
Ability to inspire and motivate
We offer
Duty station: Nairobi. The position requires extensive travel (minimum 50%) within the regional programme’s operational area (often in complex and insecure environments).
Salary/benefits: According to NRC’s general directions.
Miscellaneous info
Travel: Some travelling must be expected
How to apply:
Apply through www.nrc.no, then vacancies