Advocacy Manager Nigeria (Nationals Only)

Background

The crisis in Nigeria is marked by brutal violence against civilians causing acute humanitarian needs and displacement. In the north-east, the 13-year conflict has shattered lives, infrastructure, basic services, and social fabric. Two million people are internally displaced across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. Approximately half of these are living within local communities, putting increasing pressure on scarce resources. Access to food is limited, particularly in Borno state where most families are already facing crisis levels of food insecurity. Civilians, including aid workers, continue to be the target of deadly attacks by non-state armed groups and transport corridors are persistently insecure. In the north-west and north-central regions, violence and displacement are rooted in disputes over land and resources, which has been worsened by climate change, and criminality is on the rise.[1]

NRC has been present in Nigeria since 2015 and has been working to help displacement affected communities meet their basic needs, improve their livelihoods, access essential services, and enhance their resilience to future shocks through our six core competencies (WASH, ICLA, RRM, Education,ect.)With a workforce of 370 staff and presence in key locations such as Maiduguri (in Borno State), Yola (in Adamawa state) and JOS (in Plateau state), NRC is able to respond to the needs of those affected by the conflict across North-East, and North Central Nigeria. These strategic locations have allowed NRC greater reach from the north and south parts of the North-East and North Central region, and allowed NRC to contribute to bridging the gap between humanitarian aid and development cooperation, including through focusing on equitable access to basic services and strengthening the rights of displaced people and returnees.

Role and responsibilities

The Advocacy Manager provides overall leadership, management and strategic direction to NRC’s policy and advocacy work in Nigeria. S/he is responsible for identifying opportunities and priority areas for advocacy, strengthening the incorporation of advocacy into all aspects of NRC’s activities, and guiding NRC’s advocacy messaging to promote principled, efficient humanitarian response environment in Nigeria. S/he will also act as the focal point for all engagement with government stakeholders.

1. Develop and implement country-specific advocacy strategy, aligned to overall country strategy.
2. Line management, including development of staff if applicable.
3. Ensure advocacy coherence and reinforce effective synergies between programmes and advocacy by working closely with programme staff to integrate advocacy into programme planning and implementation.
4. Ensure systematic training on advocacy and communication and build the capacity of technical staff.
5. Provide high quality analysis on key humanitarian and displacement trends and prepare evidenced-based policy briefing papers, policy position statements and other public-facing advocacy products when strategic and relevant.
6. Liaise with other NRC Country, Regional and Global Representation Offices to coordinate the strategic delivery of advocacy messaging and to maximise impact.
7. Advise on media lines and media strategy, ensuring potential risks associated with NRC’s positions are assessed and sign-off procedures are adhered to.
8. Represent NRC to key stakeholders, strengthen strategic advocacy networks and identify opportunities to advocate NRC’s position.
9. Act as a government liaison, build and manage NRC’s relationships with government stakeholders.

Requirements and competencies

• Post-graduate with minimum 5 years of relevant Manager/Adviser experience within the humanitarian field
• Experience working in complex and volatile contexts
• Experience working with government stakeholders
• Professional knowledge about the humanitarian principles and the use of media for public advocacy
• Strong managerial and interpersonal skills
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal
• Solid understanding of international legal and policy processes relating to displacement
• Documented/proven results related to the position’s responsibilities, particularly in analysis, drafting of messages, coordination and networking
• Representation experience

Behavioural competencies

• Handling insecure environments
• Strategic thinking
• Empowering and building trust
• Working with people
• Initiate action and change
• Analysing

What We Offer

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility: At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative

• 12 months contract-possibility of renewal based on funding
• Grade 9 on NRC slary scale
• An opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause
• A chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields

You find the job description here: JD for National Advocacy Manager NG – Final 12072022.docx

Deadline to apply: 28/07/2022

**This is a role for Nigerian Nationals only**

To apply as an internal candidate, click on the suitcase icon “I am an employee” on the top right of the page to be redirected to NRC’s internal career site.