Advocacy & Research Officer

ABOUT THE WHITE HELMETS

The White Helmets (WH) is a non-for-profit organisation with offices in Canada, Europe, Turkey and Syria. We work to support the civilian population in conflict zones through the implementation of a wide range of stabilisation and humanitarian activities, which provide community resilience to millions of people. Our primary focus has been on the Syrian crisis through the work of the Syria Civil Defence and we are looking at expanding our activities to other countries.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Advocacy and Research Officer will support the White Helmets to implement impactful advocacy campaigns that ensure the voices of humanitarian workers are heard in international political fora. They will work under the supervision of the Advocacy and Communications Manager to provide research and analysis and help to design and implement campaigns, communications materials and advocacy messaging.

The Advocacy and Research Officer will be expected to plan and participate in advocacy meetings, roundtables or other events with a variety of stakeholders, including governments, parliaments, UN, NGO and think tanks. This is expected to be 50% of the overall role. The role will entail briefing colleagues to enhance their participation in advocacy meetings and ensuring prompt follow up and reporting.

Research will cover two tracks: media coverage; and policy research. On the media track, the Advocacy & Research Officer will monitor and analyse media coverage (traditional and social media) of the White Helmets. Where necessary, they will also be involved in helping to design communications and campaigns strategies to respond to negative trends. The level of effort of this track will fluctuate depending on the level of media coverage of the White Helmets but it is expected to be 20% of the overall role.

On the policy research track, the Advocacy and Research Officer will track policy developments in key states and international fora, produce position statements, reports, briefings and other advocacy products on topics relevant to the organisation’s objectives, such as justice and accountability, humanitarian aid, civilian protection, women, peace and security, among others, with a special focus on Syria. They will draft recommendations and help to design campaigns, public communications and advocacy messages that aim to increase public, political and financial support to the White Helmets and civilians affected by war. The policy research track is expected to be 30% of the overall role.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

• Duty station: Montreal Office – Quebec, Canada
• Line manager: Advocacy and Communications Manager
• Line management Responsibility: N/A
• Full-time/Part-time: Full-time

Tasks and activities

• Track policy agendas related to White Helmets’ work in key stakeholder countries and international fora
• Coordinate with the Media Department to monitor and analyse mainstream and social media
• Conduct desk research of select topics assigned by Advocacy and Communications Manager or requested by members of the Senior Management Team. Independently propose additional research topics based on organisational needs and data trends
• Support in the design and implementation of public campaigns
• Develop recommendations and advocacy messaging in coordination with supervisor
• Draft reports, briefings, web content, policy recommendations or other products as required
• Attend or help other staff of the White Helmets to prepare for advocacy and coordination meetings
• Assist with planning and executing special events, roundtables, trainings, and other events
• Map and coordinate with potential partners, networks and/or researchers
• Assist in fundraising activities
• Other tasks as directed by supervisor

Required qualifications: Education, Experience and Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree minimum in social and political sciences, communications or related field
• Master’s degree preferred in social or political sciences, International Relations, communications or other related discipline
• Demonstrated experience in policy research in humanitarian affairs, civilian protection, atrocity prevention, human rights, justice and accountability, or related field
• Demonstrated experience in a busy campaigning or advocacy environment
• Knowledge of the Syrian context, related humanitarian context and actors
• Strong interpersonal skills, independent judgment and discretion
• Self-motivation and the ability to prioritize with minimal supervision and work independently as a member of a team with staff in multiple locations globally
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required. Arabic is highly desirable. French is an asset.