Policy & Advocacy Manager - Syria INGO Regional Forum (SIRF)

Mercy Corps

Amman, Jordan

General Position Summary

The Policy and Advocacy Manager will be responsible for coordinating the advocacy, communications, and policy work of SIRF in coordination with the SIRF Policy and Advocacy Working Group. This includes working closely with the PAWG co-chairs and members, as well as NGO forum in the Syria response hubs and neighboring countries in the region, to lead advocacy efforts on priority issues. The Policy and Advocacy Manager will proactively identify opportunities and lead initiatives to use the collective voice of NGOs to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, accountability, and transparency of humanitarian operations across the region.

The role will work closely with the SIRF Representative, who will lead overall SIRF strategy roll-out and external representation, with a particular focus on strategic coordination across the Whole of Syria architecture and 3RP.

Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the role include, in addition to other tasks that may be required:

Policy & Advocacy Strategy & Coordination:

Act as the primary day-to-day focal point for advocacy and policy work within SIRF, working closely with the Policy & Advocacy Working Group (PAWG) co-chairs and supporting members in coordinated advocacy work for the Syria crisis;
Work with the SIRF Representative and PAWG co-chairs to develop and maintain a SIRF policy & advocacy strategy, priorities, and work plan, and provide regular updates to the SIRF board and members on implementation;
Support the PAWG co-chairs in the running and administration of the PAWG, including agenda setting, managing meetings, and providing secretariat functionsl
Oversee and, where required, develop tools in support of coordinated policy and advocacy work that may include stakeholder maps, dissemination plans, impact monitoring, and advocacy calendars;
Develop and maintain strong relationships with advocacy, policy, and other stakeholders within regional and global NGO Forums (including ICVA, InterAction, and NGO Forums in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, and Libya) and within NGO member agencies;
Work with ICVA and InterAction as the SIRF advocacy and policy focal point to support global joint-NGO advocacy initiatives.

Advocacy Products and Events:

Act as the primary advocacy focal point for supporting key Syria crisis-related advocacy events, including the Syria Brussels Conference, Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), European Humanitarian Forum (EHF), and other regional or global events;
Lead the development and sign-off process for advocacy and communication briefing letters, reports, talking points, and products;
Actively identify opportunities for strengthening advocacy on the Syria crisis and regional/global initiatives through coordinated SIRF advocacy;
Work closely with the OCHA Regional Office for the Syria Crisis (ROSC) and other UN entities to strengthen joint UN-NGO advocacy and policy work across the humanitarian system.

Communications Coordination:

Manage communications with SIRF members, developing effective ways of efficient information flow, which may include regular emails, newsletters, online document repositories, Skype groups, etc.;
Support coordination of communications initiatives, including through support to the Communications Working Group where relevant;
Manage contact, membership, and distribution lists across SIRF members and external stakeholders, including running an annual member registration process.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: SIRF Representative;
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

Minimum five years of relevant professional experience within the humanitarian, development, human rights, foreign policy, or similar field;
Documented experience with humanitarian advocacy and the production of written materials (i.e., reports, briefing notes, position papers, talking points, and key messages);
Documented experience with relevant thematic areas (displacement, durable solutions, protection, food security, etc.);
Ability to work with a wide range of actors;
Experience in moderating and facilitating large meetings;
Documented/proven results related to other key elements of the position’s responsibilities;
Strong understanding of the international humanitarian system, policy, and practice;
Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile;
Representation and public speaking experience are an asset;
Fluent in both written and spoken English.

Desirable Requirements:

Previous humanitarian experience in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, or Turkey;
An understanding of the ‘Whole of Syria’ coordination model;
Previous experience working for an NGO Forum or coordination body;
Existing relationships with relevant advocacy, policy, media, and/or coordination stakeholders in the humanitarian system;
A post-graduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience;
Working knowledge of Arabic is a significant advantage.

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