Are you a committed advocate, excited by the opportunity to lead the CWARO advocacy, media, and communication unit, and work for an outspoken and influential humanitarian organization?
The NRC Central and West Africa region is composed of country offices in Burkina Faso/Niger, Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, and Nigeria. All countries are experiencing a deterioration of the security situation, increasing humanitarian needs, and displacements due to conflict. The region is marred by challenges to principled humanitarian action, including access challenges and the politicization of aid. Displaced populations face obstacles to obtaining their basic rights and durable solutions have not been found for millions across the region.
Together with field-based programs and expert deployments, advocacy is one of the Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) three pillars of work to overcome these challenges. We promote and defend the rights and dignity of people affected by displacement, amplify their voices, and ensure that responses are appropriate to needs and rights. We use all the tools in the toolbox, including both private and public advocacy.
The Central and West Africa Regional Office (CWARO) oversees the country programs in the region and provides strategic guidance and oversight across the core program, advocacy, and support functions.
As Regional Head of Advocacy, Media, and Communications, you will lead the Advocacy, Media, and Communications unit in Dakar, a team of experienced advocacy and media professionals, and guide and support countries within the region in developing and implementing their advocacy strategies as well as lead regional efforts and contribute to NRC’s global initiatives.
You will work closely with the three other regional advocacy leads, as well as the global Advocacy and Media Section in Head Office, Representational Offices, and with advocacy, media, and communications colleagues in Country Offices.
Duties and responsibilities
Comply and adhere to NRC policies, guidance, and procedures
- Define and coordinate the Central and West Africa region’s strategic advocacy response
- Further build sub-regional advocacy approaches to address shared issues in the Central Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, Central Africa, and the Great Lakes by maximizing available capacities in Country Offices and leveraging support from Representational Offices
- Leads on advocacy and media collaboration with partners, including UN agencies and civil society
- Manage performance and staff development of the Regional Advocacy, Media and Communications unit
- Support Country Offices to develop country-level advocacy plans which include identified protection and program priorities
- Ensure coordinated linkages between Country Offices and NRC’s Representation Offices, NRC’s Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), and the Head Office Advocacy and Media Section in order to leverage resources and effectively maximize the advocacy reach to target audiences
- Co-lead the Access and Humanitarian Principles Task Force of the Regional Inter-Agency Standing Committee with OCHA
- In cooperation with the Regional Programme Director, explore and create synergies between country offices related to program-based advocacy
- Develop tools and training to improve advocacy, media and communications capacity of regional, country, and area office staff
- Mobilize funds for advocacy initiatives
- Engage as an active member of the Regional Management Group and Extended Regional Management Group
Expériences / Formation
- Minimum of five years of relevant Advocacy experience within the humanitarian field, including demonstrated management and leadership.
- Advanced professional knowledge and experience with advocacy campaigns work.
- Relevant experience with media work, including strategy development and media engagement.
- Relevant experience with strategic planning and professional networking.
- Demonstrated skills in organizational representation and public speaking.
- Excellent analytical skills
- Excellent writing, editing and language skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills both in French and English.
- Knowledge of the conflict and humanitarian context in Central and West Africa
- Understanding of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law
Personal qualities
- You possess a positive attitude, sound judgment, and natural authority.
- You have the ability to mobilize resources around you through your communication, representation, and interpersonal skills.
- You are a politically and diplomatically savvy professional with an inclination to analyze and perceive decision-making processes,
- and you take pride in your ability to find the entry points. Furthermore, you take a genuine interest in developing your employees. And a sense of humor always helps!
Salaire
A 2 years full-time contract with competitive salary and benefits according to International staff terms and conditions, including contributions to the pension fund.
The flexible working environment in a dynamic office in Dakar
Duty station: Dakar
Family Duty station:
Grade: 11
Please note that you are required to enter the geographical location for all your previous positions while registering your CV. There is no specific field for this information in our CV form, but you can use the “Company name” field for both company and location.
Only CVs and applications written in English will be assessed