Senior Advocacy Officer

THE ORGANIZATION

Handicap International (which runs projects under its operating name, Humanity & Inclusion – HI -), is an independent and impartial international aid organization working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights. Handicap International is a not-for-profit organization with no religious or political affiliation. It operates as a federation made up of a network of associations.

OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION:

The Senior Advocacy Officer in Palestine works under the responsibility of the Country Manager for Palestine and in close collaboration with the regional advocacy and communication Senior officer, the Federal Advocacy and Institutional Relations team (AIR), and the Federal communication team. She/he contributes to the design, implementation, and follow-up of HI advocacy strategies related to the Palestinian crisis, on national, regional, and international levels.

Responsibilities:

Mission 1: STRATEGY AND STEERING

Responsibility 1.1: Analyse the humanitarian environment and define HI positions

• Monitor and analyze the humanitarian context, architecture and actors at play to identify the main positioning issues to ensure a principled humanitarian action
• Continuously monitor policy developments and the debate at national/regional/international levels in the Palestine crisis, to gather any useful information for humanitarian advocacy

Responsibility 1.2: Develop and update advocacy strategies and action plans

• Work with the regional advocacy and communication officer and the AIR team on developing and updating the joint advocacy strategy related to oPt crisis and ensure it is consistent across national, regional and international levels
• Lead the design and implementation of coordinated advocacy action plans at regional and national levels, and ensure they are properly implemented, in compliance with HI advocacy quality standards and procedures
• Identify key issues emerging from HI operations that would require advocacy for policy changes
• Carry out and constantly update a stakeholder mapping and power analysis to identify key advocacy targets and allies

Mission 2: OPERATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION.

Responsibility 2.1: Ensure that advocacy is based on reliable and up-to-date evidence and data

• Regularly liaise with key operational staff and external stakeholders to gather timely information and data to feed into federal and regional-based advocacy strategies
• Ensure that the programme produces reliable and consistent data for advocacy purposes and that it is shared with the regional and the AIR teams
• Lead or contribute to the preparation of advocacy tools (reports, briefing papers, talking points, medias/social media tools, collection of testimonies), in collaboration with the regional team, the AIR team and HI federal Communication team

Responsibility 2.2: Organize the effective influence and outreach of HI vis-à-vis key decision-makers and networks

• Engage in relevant fora, networks and coalitions or with key partners at national and regional levels to feed the analyses and promote HI positions; identify opportunities for, and collaborate with the regional and the AIR team on collective advocacy initiatives
• Maintain contacts with key decision makers at national and regional levels through regular meetings and exchanges
• Take part in events and conferences and ad hoc meetings with decision makers at global level in coordination with the regional and the AIR team
• When appropriate, liaise with the medias on advocacy related issues with the support of the regional teams, the federal Communication team, and the AIR

Responsibility 2.3: Ensure HI internal communication and ownership

• Contribute to internal advocacy related working structures, and other relevant internal meetings to provide updated information and discuss advocacy developments; liaise as necessary with AIR, Federal Communication, or National Associations
• Inform and provide support to key operational staff and local/national partners on HI advocacy activities
• Assess needs and provide trainings accordingly on principled humanitarian action and HI ethical guidelines to staff as well as local/national partners when appropriate

Responsibility 2.4: Contribute to fundraising efforts

• Identify funding opportunities for advocacy and positioning activities and staff, including through incorporating advocacy activities into field projects and new project proposals

Mission 3: STANDARDS and EXPERTISE Contribute to raising the quality and internal ownership of HI advocacy work

• Comply with and promote HI quality standards and internal procedures relating to advocacy
• Report to line manager, the regional advocacy and communication officer, the AIR Humanitarian Advocacy Manager any issues of compliance
• Contribute to the design and delivery of presentations and training tools on advocacy
• Provide advocacy-related inputs into internal processes as requested

Mission 4: Contribute to the communications strategy by leading relevant content, coordinating campaigns, and disseminating information to target audiences. Adapt strategies for emergency preparedness and response.

file requirements:

Qualification:

• Degree in International Law (IHL, IHRL, Human Rights, Refugee Law etc.), International relations, political science or equivalent degree or with significant experience

Experience:

• 5 years including 3 in emergency settings (field experience)
• Experience in context analyses, policy development in relation to principled humanitarian action
• Experience in advocacy work
• Experience in networking and in active participation to conference/forum, including at high levels

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS:

HI workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in HI Code of conduct. In accordance with these values, HI operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-fraud, bribery, and corruption.

DISABILITY INCLUSION:

The candidate or his/her representative must let the HR representative know that s/he needs an adjustment or change at the test and the interview for a reason related to a medical condition by sending a request for accommodation at the email: [email protected].

By applying to this position, you grant HI’s recruitment team your consent to perform a reference check on you with respect to the misconduct disclosure scheme.

The initial contract will be for a period of up to 12 months, to be extendable based on the availability of funds.

Handicap International is an equal-opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from persons with disabilities

Interested candidates should fill out the form Senior Advocacy Officer and submit their resume with a motivation letter to reach on or before October 23, 2024. Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will be disregarded.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and those shortlisted will be contacted.