Policy Advisor (International Staff)

General job description

• Support and facilitate Action Against Hunger (AAH)’s advocacy priorities regarding the crisis in Syria, liaise with key international, regional stakeholders and partners, in close coordination with relevant departments in AAH Syria and AAH Spain Headquarters consolidate the position of the organization on priority issues and in the key arena of decision-making related to the Syria crisis.
• Develop a communication plan and raise AAH’ visibility in the region and at a global level

Key activities

Objective 1 (Strengthen Action Against Hunger advocacy and policy on key issues of the Syria Operations)

• Design the advocacy strategy for Action Against Hunger in Syria defining key change objectives, including the identification of targets, tactics, risks, messages, and key indicators in line with Action Against Hunger policies
• Analysis of key humanitarian challenges at the country level in line with mission priorities including humanitarian access, quality of aid, the impact of violence on food security, and early recovery in contexts of protracted displacement.
• Lead the development of evidence-based position papers and studies, on sanctions and CT measures analyzing their impact on the humanitarian operations and any future scale-up response in the country, and on approaching the Nexus (including early recovery). The latter shall include supporting case studies and national/regional advocacy on the impact of violence on food security in coordination with the AAH global initiative on the matter.
• In collaboration with Operations and Programming departments, monitor and analyze the humanitarian access impediments and develop advocacy initiatives around it (reports, tactics…) to improve Action Against Hunger capacity to deliver aid and access to essential services for the population.
• In coordination with the different referents at the mission and HQ levels, develop a communication plan in line with the mission advocacy strategy for Syria, raising the profile and visibility of Action Against Hunger
• Ensure there is an active and agile exchange of information on the Syrian crisis between missions and HQ
• In collaboration with the Programming department, ensure the inclusion of advocacy initiatives at the proposal writing stage to secure dedicated resources.
• Ensure regular reporting of advocacy initiatives in line with Action Against Hunger

Objective 2 (Networking and Positioning)

• Coordinate all networking and positioning tasks with Action Against Hunger Spain HQ advocacy desk officer and Country Director.
• Ensure active participation and influence the Damascus INGO Advocacy Working Group (DINGO AWG) for issues requiring a Damascus perspective and in close coordination with the Syria mission and Action against Hunger Spain HQ Advocacy Desk Officer.
• Engage through participation and influence at the Durable Solution Platform (DSP) which is presently transitioning into a DRC led initiative, for issues requiring a Damascus perspective (early recovery) and in close coordination with the Syria mission and Action against Hunger Spain HQ Advocacy Desk Officer.
• Participate when required and influence the SIRF PAWG (Syria INGO Regional Forum – Policy and Advocacy Group) for issues requiring a Damascus perspective and in close coordination with the Syria mission and Action against Hunger Spain HQ Advocacy Desk Officer.
• Liaise with INGO partners bilaterally to develop joint advocacy positions and policy on key issues (such as Early Recover / Sanctions / CT Measures / Humanitarian Access, Violence on Food Security), especially with DINGOs in close collaboration with Action against Hunger missions and overseen by AAH Spain HQ Advocacy Desk Officer.
• In collaboration with the Country Director, engage with policy development platforms, such as the Syria Humanitarian Donors Working Group (SYDWG), the 3RP and Durable Solutions Platform (DSP) to ensure Action Against Hunger Syria missions’ view and advocacy positions are integrated and ensure coherence with Lebanon and Jordan positioning as needed.
• Support the missions in representation in any other kind of meetings as requested (at national, regional or international Level

Objective 3 (Reporting)

• Regular meetings with Advocacy referent at missions and HQ level
• Provide minutes of attended meetings (Advocacy platform, donors, INGOs…)
• Update on regular basis the No Hunger Forum (AAH intranet) (minutes, relevant information regarding Syria…)

Candidate description

• Bachelors or master degree in law, political science, sociology or similar background;
• Specific studies in humanitarian aid and/or development, International Humanitarian Law
• Proven knowledge of strategic planning, representation and coordination
• Strong geopolitical analysis
• Specific knowledge of advocacy approach, design, and implementation techniques
• Knowledge of Action Against Hunger technical sectors, policies and procedures
• Demonstrated experience in working in Middle East
• Significant experience in advocacy desirable regional level in the Middle East context.
• Desirable: Experience involving political dialogue.
• 3 to 5 years of professional experience in the Humanitarian sector. Three or more years in advocacy or related field;
• Desirable:
• Experience in negotiation with UN, INGO, donors and coordination forums
• Experience with Think Tanks and influence groups
• Languages English fluency, French and Spanish appreciated, Arabic is a plus
• IT: Microsoft tools (Excel, Word, Access, PP). Others will be an asset (mapping programmes)
• Mobility (national/ internacional)
• Valuable prior experience in issues related to the promotion of gender equality or personal commitment to gender equality

Remuneration package

We offer immediate incorporation to a dynamic international network with the following remuneration package:

Duty Station : Syria/Damascus

Not a family duty station Position

• Salary: according to Action Against Hunger salary scale and according to candidate’s previous experience.
• This packaged includes:
  • Expatriate insurance (health, live, repatriation, travel, etc.)
  • Break flights/trips to defined area: (break per diem: 215 EUR)
  • Yearly holiday return flight ticket
  • Accommodation and housing expenses (in shared guest house)
  • Travel costs to and from the mission.
  • 25 working days of paid leave per year.
  • Extra per month and per child (Under 18 years old): from 100€ to 225€ monthly (according to standard list of Action Against Hunger -Spain).

– Candidates may be contacted for other suitable positions within Action Against Hunger.

-Applications will be assessed and vacancy might be closed before the end of the announcement as per qualifications availability.
– The organization is committed to the principles of non-discrimination and diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people.

In the process of recruitment, selection and appointment Action Against Hunger implement a range of procedures and actions including Criminal Background Checks/ International vetting/Certificate of good conduct to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded and abuse is prevented