Advocacy Advisor for the INGO Forum, Cordaid DRC

Cordaid works to end poverty and exclusion. We do this in the world’s most fragile and conflict-affected areas. We engage communities to rebuild trust and resilience and increase people’s self-reliance. Where poverty, conflict, and exclusion divide societies, we connect people and communities. Cordaid is one of the leading Civil Society Organizations in the Netherlands, working in fragile contexts on Health, Resilience, Private Sector Development, Humanitarian Aid and Security & Justice, Economic empowerment and Food & Nutrition Security. Cordaid has over 1400 staff, working at Global Office in the Netherlands and in offices across the most fragile countries in the world. Within Cordaid we work on the basis of respect, accountability, sustainability and diversity & inclusion.

For the Cordaid Country office in the Democratic Republic of Congo**,** Cordaid is looking for an Advocacy Advisor for the INGO Forum

Introduction

The DRC INGO Forum gathers 118 INGO member implementing emergency and development aid projects for the benefit of Congolese population. The Forum is supported by a Secretariat which gathers a Team of six people, providing expert support and advice to its members. More specifically, the role of the Forum is to:

• Support to INGOs members and advocacy for solving common issues;
• Improve communication between INGOs and other stakeholders (government, UNOCHA, UN, etc.);
• Strengthen the voices of INGOs in the humanitarian architecture and the development community in DRC;
• Act as a focal point for INGOs and for external stakeholders;
• Ensure a national cohesion of INGOs (linking Kinshasa and the other Provinces).

Cordaid is currently the host of the DRC INGO Forum.

Position and responsibility

Under the hierarchical responsibility of the Director of the DRC INGO Forum Secretariat and in close collaboration with other members of the Forum Secretariat Team, as well as with INGOs members of Forum, the Advocacy Advisor will be responsible for the following tasks:

Strategy setting and coordination

• Propose and facilitate the definition of the DRC INGO Forum advocacy strategy based on the Forum’s strategic Action Plan, as set by the yearly General Assembly ;
• Implement, monitor, update and evaluate the results of the advocacy strategy of the DRC INGO Forum ;
• Update INGO members of the Forum monthly on advocacy initiatives underway and upcoming and initiate feedbacks and discussions ;
• Energize, redefine and facilitate the Forum’s advocacy working group ;
• Coordinate the collection, analysis and presentation of evidence/data to support the Forum’s advocacy by working closely with the necessary members and external actors ;
• Liaise with advocacy officers at the global level, including InterAction and ICVA platforms, to strengthen ties with the DRC and foster better commitments to prioritizing DRC issues;
• Facilitate training and capacity building of INGO Forum members;
• Coordinate and monitor advocacy messages to ensure maximum impact and ensure that the Forum’s advocacy is in line with basic humanitarian and development principles;
• Document lessons learned for all advocacy activities.

Advocacy and lobbying

• Exchange with members to better define advocacy priorities and conduct advocacy initiatives on the issues included in the strategy;
• Develop a strong relationship and network with key actors and stakeholders;
• Identify, in coordination actions in response to changes in the context in the DRC;
• Identify, develop, contribute and take leadership of advocacy initiatives through member mobilization and the production of joint advocacy products (notes, briefing, key messages, etc.). Conduct the process appropriately and obtain members’ approval;
• Identify issues and topic in line with the Forum’s priorities that are not included in the advocacy strategy but require reactive advocacy actions;
• Work to lobby and influence decision-makers or any other actor defined as allies and advocacy targets, in accordance with the advocacy strategy of the INGO Forum;
• Support and advise Forum’s Secretariat Team members, in particular the Nexus & Development Aid Coordinator, and Peacebuilding Coordinator, in their specific advocacy efforts.

Communication and information sharing

• Ensure communication to members and supporters through the production of tools such as the monthly newsletter and the facilitation of other communication tools;
• Stay abreast of political, security, economic and other developments in the DRC and inform the Forum Director, executive committee and members if necessary;
• Oversee the work of the Forum’s Administrative and Finance Officer with regards to publications on social media;
• Update and manage a database of external partners and journalists.

General

• Comply with Cordaid’s (Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest, Anti-corruption; Whistle blower Policy);
• Ensure the optimal implementation of these Policies in all aspects of her/his work.
• Be available / flexible to perform any other ad hoc task deemed useful by her/ his direct superior or representative.

General objective of the posting

To support the activities of the Forum, we are looking for an experienced Advocacy Advisor with strong leadership skills, coordination abilities, profound knowledge of the technical aspects of leading advocacy efforts and excellent writing skills in French and English.

Specific objectives

• The Peacebuilding Coordinator will work under the responsibility of the Director of the DRC INGO Forum Secretariat and in close collaboration with the other members of the Secretariat team.
• He/she will work in close collaboration with INGO members to lead advocacy, lobbying and communication activities to advance common interests and positioning of the INGO community in the DRC.
• He/she will ensure the implementation of the collective advocacy strategy, update said strategy regularly, and react to contextual topics for advocacy as and when needed.
• He/she will be based in Kinshasa with missions in other areas of the country, especially Goma and Bukavu.

Qualifications

Education and professional experience

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, development studies, social sciences, or communication;
• At least 3 years of experience in a humanitarian or development context in developing countries;
• Relevant experience in political analysis, advocacy strategy, lobby (NGOs or others);
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement advocacy strategies with clear theories of change;
• Proven experience in the development of quality advocacy and communication products;
• Proven understanding and experience in advocacy in a complex humanitarian context and protracted crisis;
• Proven experience in working with a multitude of actors and a proactive role in coordination;
• Professional knowledge and understanding of the DRC or the Great Lakes region is a significant asset.
• Understanding of complex humanitarian emergencies, conflict resolution strategies, resilience, development, and human rights law and international humanitarian law;

Personal skills

• Strong will to work ethically and appropriately in the NGO sector, in line with respect for humanitarian principles and resilience;
• Leadership capabilities;
• Strong networking ability and the ability to build productive relationships with diverse and varied players;
• Strong analytical ability to strategically understand and use the information received;
• Collaborative approach and respect for work in accordance with the views and decisions of INGO members;
• Ability to meet tight deadlines, often on ad hoc issues that require immediate attention;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and French
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work long hours in stressful environments, insecure, unstable and / or rigorous contexts;
• Commitment to the mission and goals of the Cordaid program and the security policy.
• Mastery of the pack Office
• Organizational capacity, multi-file management
• Punctuality, respect of deadlines
• Essential dynamism and flexibility.
• Be of good character
• Be proactive and results and solution-oriented.

Specifics of station

Duty station is Kinshasa, DRC. This is an accompanied posting.

Contract information

The contract period is until 31 May 2023 starting as soon as possible, with the intention to extend for a longer period. We offer a competitive, fair and comprehensive salary and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors. A Cordaid contract which includes R&R, a comprehensive insurance cover, social security and pension contribution, a holiday allowance, 13th month, hardship allowance and cost of living allowance (if applicable).