Advocacy and Influencing Specialist

THE ORGANIZATION

Plan Denmark and Plan International Jordan have been contracted by the Novo Nordisk Foundation to implement a 5 Year programme (2022-2026) called “Najahna” focused on youth economic empowerment in Jordan. The action will aim to complement JRP’s top priority, which is to strengthen systems to protect the dignity and welfare of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians impacted by the Syrian crisis. By doing this, the project will support Jordan’s enduring commitment to continue to build an integrated multi-year framework to respond to the Syrian crisis in a transparent, collaborative, and sustainable manner in line with the Global Compact on Refugees framework.

Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organization committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence and injustice. Plan actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. Plan support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. Plan place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind. Plan have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 80 years and are now active in more than 70 countries. Plan Denmark and Plan International Jordan are both part of Plan International. Plan Denmark works with Plan Country Offices in more than 77 countries to ensure that children, adolescents and young people are safe and influence decision making in resilient communities that respect their rights and offer equal opportunities for all regardless of gender. Plan International Jordan was established in 2016 and works to improve the resilience of vulnerable Syrian refugees and Jordanians in Azraq refugee camp as well as in host communities.

ROLE PURPOSE

Plan International Jordan is seeking an experienced Advocacy and influencing Specialist for Najahna Programme Management Unit (PMU) to be in charge of Advocacy activities for Najahna Programme in Plan International Jordan. This position will lead Najahna’s Advocacy and Communication’s Strategy together with the consortium partners to ensure clear advocacy goals and impact of the programme both at the national and local levels in Jordan and at the international level in collaboration with Plan Denmark. The Advocacy and influencing Specialist will drive Najahna’s advocacy agenda and ensure improvements in relevant policies and practices by identifying, collaborating and engaging with key advocacy stakeholders.

The Advocacy and influencing Specialist will provide high quality and responsive social, economic and political analysis that will contextualize the programmatic goals that can be achieved through advocacy. She/he will provide support to deputy head of PMU and PMU by providing the needed analysis and information to ensure that the programme brand is promoted effectively as the main youth economic empowerment and gender transformative programme in Jordan. The Advocacy and influencing Specialist reports directly to the Deputy Head of Programme Management Unit and collaborates closely with consortium partners and the Plan Denmark Advocacy manager.

THE PROGRAM

Going on its thirteenth year, and with 6.6 million refugees worldwide, the Syrian displacement crisis is the largest the world has seen in decades. Of those, 5.6 million are hosted in Syria’s neighboring countries. The Kingdom of Jordan, being one of the most affected countries by the Syrian crisis hosts over 1.36 million refugees. Syrian refugees and conflict affected youth in Jordan confront many challenges, including poverty, limited access to quality formal and non-formal education, high unemployment rates and barriers to economic opportunities. In addition, the youth often experience an exacerbation of harmful social norms, attitudes and behaviors in their communities that prevent adolescent girls and young women from achieving their full potential. The Najahna programme aims to empower 48,000 young Syrian refugees and other conflict-affected youth in Jordan, especially adolescent girls, and young women, to become economic, social viable actors in an inclusive, healthy protective and gender responsive environment. The three interlinked programme objectives are focused on working with Education, Economic Empowerment, and an Enabling Environment respectively, and provide a gender-transformative frame for a holistic approach to a complex problem. Against this background, the programme targets different barriers that young people face from the systems level, with a weak educational system and a restrictive legal and policy environment for refugees, to the societal level characterized by harmful social norms, practices and traditions that stand in the way of young women’s economic empowerment, and finally, to the skills and capacities that young people need at an individual level.

The Najahna programme is led by Plan Denmark and Plan International Jordan in collaboration with four consortium partners; The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), The Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS), Includovate and The Confederation of Danish Industries (DI). The consortium partners bring an exceptional combination of experience, capacity and presence built on many years working with refugees and conflict-affected youth in ensuring access to Education, Youth Economic Empowerment, Health/Protection mainstreaming, gender and gender transformative approaches in various countries around the world as well as in Jordan. Includovate and local partner “MMIS” will ensure that learning and research are integrated and inform programme design and adaptation throughout the programme duration.

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

The Advocacy and influencing Specialist will be based in Amman, She/he will lead on updating and implementing the Najahna Advocacy and Communication Strategy with the consortium partners. She/he will act as the Advocacy focal point for the Najahna programme. She/he will support to maintain strong relationship with partners, government as well as other stakeholders in Jordan.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Advocacy and Influence

• In line with the Plan International country strategy and the Najahna Advocacy and Communications Strategy, Lead the development and implementation of Najahna advocacy strategy at the country level.
• Consistently explore opportunities for multi-country influencing/ advocacy and campaigns engagement/programs that add value to the achievement of the programme goals in Jordan.
• Map existing networks and initiatives to help build a national network of partners and other youth economic empowerment programs, organizations and practitioners focused on common goals.
• Plan, design and implement strategies for influencing and outreach for public awareness concerning youth economic empowerment focusing on Syrian refugees in particular girls and women.
• Develop and manage risks related to Najahna’s campaigns and advocacy work.
• Develop the overarching project advocacy strategy, including the advocacy asks use of evidence-based approach.
• Ensure advocacy strategies in youth employment and gender equality as well as women’s empowerment are responsive to the context, implemented consistently across all project activities, and adhere to best practices in the sector.

Policy & Research:

• Produce publications with clear findings and recommendations such as policy briefings and factsheets for both internal and external use.
• Keep up to date with developments in public policy, legislation, best practice, and relevant new initiatives in Najahna’s three components (Education, Youth Economic Empowerment, Enabling Environment).
• Oversight the production and lead in the dissemination of relevant research that support Najahna policy engagement.

Communication & Media:

• Support the planning and development communication and media products produced at the PMU for the Najahna programme.
• Review and direct the partners’ publications and media products related to the programme.
• Represent the PMU and the programme at media and public events as directed by the deputy head of PMU.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Number of direct reports is to be determined

Child protection, gender equality and inclusion

• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• This position will report to the Deputy Head of Programme Management Unit.
• Liaise and get support from the Policy, Advocacy and Influencing Manager at Plan International Jordan.
• The Advocacy and influencing Specialist will work closely with and support the PMU Communication Coordinator.
• The Advocacy and influencing Specialist will work closely with the consortium partners and will follow up with the advocacy focal points for each partner.
• The Advocacy and influencing Specialist will coordinate and work with Plan Jordan and Plan Denmark Najahna advocacy leads to make sure the Najahna Advocacy and Communication Strategy is implemented according to the plan and Donor’s regulations and procedures.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in Policy Advocacy within the humanitarian sector in Jordan with a focus on the Syrian refugee response.
• Bachelor degree in Mass Communication, Development Studies, Social Sciences or another related field; Master’s degree is preferred.
• Proven experience in developing and/or leading the advocacy strategies of large-scale humanitarian and development programs.
• Experience in developing policy positions and tailored advocacy messages in humanitarian crises and development contexts.
• Knowledge of key national, regional, and international legal and policy frameworks on youth employment, gender transformative approaches and secondary education.
• Excellent coordination skills and proven track record in coordinating various interventions alongside multiple partners and stakeholders.
• Excellent command of written and spoken Arabic and English.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Flexible work attitude and ability to work independently within a small team;
• Ability to effectively communicate with a diverse and cross-cultural audience;

Additional Requirements

• Ability and experience in working in cross-cultural contexts
• Ability to work manage situations under pressure.
• Multitasking, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential.
  • Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE

We are open and accountable

• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organization for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximize long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

• We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential
• We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace
• We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

It is an Office-based environment, the office is located at Plan Jordan (Amman). The team consists of a separate unit within Plan Jordan Office

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

• Contact: Contact with children is Medium

ROLE PROFILE

Type of Role: Fixed-term Job Contract

Duration: 6 months – renewable based on performance

Reports to: Deputy Head of Programme Management Unit

Location: Amman, Jordan Grade: level 15

Closing Date: 30 May 2024