Position Title : Regional Advocacy Specialist
Supervised by : Coordinator P21
Reporting to : Head of Multicountry Operations
Duty Station : Dakar (Sénégal)
Aera of Operation : Afrique de l’Ouest
Employment Period : 12 months (renewable)
Type of contract : National / Expat
Salary & Benefits : Non-Management G (Sous réserve de la disponibilité des fonds)
Introduction
The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfilment of the wish to return home.
The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.
Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.
1. Background
DRC has been operating in West Africa since 1998 and in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2011. The DRC West-North Africa & Latin America (WANALA) Regional Office is based in Dakar, Senegal, and covers several countries. Led by the Regional Executive Director, the DRC WANALA oversees, supports, and provides strategic directions for DRC’s Country Offices within the abovementioned regions. The region covers legal entities in Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Libya, Mali, Mexico, Niger, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Venezuela. The Regional Program Team has a range of technical capacities.
DRC together with the HCR implement Project 21, a project aiming to be recognized as a common instrumental source of quality data and evidence in the region and used as a reference by different stakeholders. After almost three years of activities, P21 is looking for a regional advocacy specialist that will lead the implementation of the Communication Strategy to enhance visibility of first results.
2. Purpose
Implement and lead Project 21’s Communication and Advocacy Strategy to promote its mission, objectives, and results, working closely with the project team to identify appropriate methods to visualize and communicate key messages to relevant parties.;
3. Duties and Responsibilities
• Work together with the project team to ensure that research and data translates into advocacy strategies and products including targeted statements, policy briefs, concept notes, background briefs, private briefings, public briefings
• Take the lead in driving the advocacy strategy and work plan in coordination with P21’s team and management including identifying advocacy opportunities and needs
• Work together with the project team to ensure that research and data translates into targeted communication content which can be disseminated widely across various communication channels.
• Assist in planning, developing, and implementing Project 21 communication and visibility activities according to its Influencing Strategy and Advocacy and Communications Plan.
• Develop and recommend communication strategies and opportunities in line with P21’s advocacy objectives
• Oversee and lead the collection of communications material and social media content to promote Project 21’s mission, mandate, and work across various internal and external communication channels.
• Provide support to development and production of project related communications materials e.g., brochures, presentations, reports, thematic bulletins, social media posts etc.
• Provide editing and proofreading support (French/English) in the preparation of Project 21 products.
• Support the creative design of documents and graphic assets ready to print and/or disseminated online.
• Bring creative ideas and appropriate solutions to Project 21 communications.
• Participate in relevant regional INGO forums to represent P21 and liaise with key UN, INGOs and other interlocutors/counterparts at regional level
In addition, the Regional Advocacy Specialist may be asked to take on other tasks and duties as requested by the Regional Protection Manager or the Regional Project Manager.
4. Required Qualifications
Core skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to write and develop strong advocacy and communication materials –
- Demonstrated ability to develop a wide variety of communication content including reports, stories and posts for social media
- High level analytical and strategic thinking skills. Attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability of developing strong messaging and creative storytelling
- Excellent writing and editing skills in English and French
- Experience of influencing and advocacy work including lobbying, policy development and information provision in humanitarian issues would be an asset
- Experience in data storytelling would be an asset
- Experience working in an international NGO would be an asset
- At least 4 years’ experience in relevant field at national or international level in public relations, advocacy, communications, press or media relations.
- Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure including strong interpersonal skills.
- Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities.
Desired skills
- Experience working in the Sahel
5. Required Skills & Qualities
- Core Competencies of DRC:
- Striving for excellence
- Collaboration
- Taking the lead
- Communication
- Demonstrating Integrity
- Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment
- Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
- Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required
- Multi-tasking and Organizational skills are necessary
- Adaptable and Flexible
- Proven analytical and critical thinking skills
- Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace
- Team-oriented & good sense of humor
6. General Regulations
- The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
- Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization
- Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period
- Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization
- Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request
How to apply
7. Application Process
Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line**: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies.** All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in French or in English**.**
DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.
However, candidates should take into consideration that the DRC cannot employ, under an international contract, a national of the country in which he/she will be working (in this case, the Republic of Senegal).
For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit the organization’s website at drc.ngo.
Applications will close on 22/01/2024 at 23h59 GMT. However, it is possible for the DRC to start the recruitment process even before the advertisement is closed, if an application meets the expectations and requirements of the position.