Policy and Advocacy Advisor

About SEED Foundation: SEED Foundation is a locally registered NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. SEED’s mission is to protect, empower, and support the recovery of survivors of violence and others at risk. SEED is committed to delivering quality and holistic approaches, combining international expertise and local know-how to achieve results for the people of Iraq and Kurdistan. SEED’s programming focuses on three key objectives: 1) the delivery of transformational, comprehensive services including case management, mental health, and legal services, as well as psychosocial support activities; 2) strengthening the capacity of service providers through education, training, and capacity-development programs; and 3) ​promoting policy and social change to strengthen rights and protections for vulnerable groups and individuals through public awareness, technical assistance, and advocacy.

Role of the Policy and Advocacy Advisor:

The Policy and Advocacy Advisor supports the advocacy team in devising, implementing, and evaluating strategies designed to promote policy, institutional, regulatory, practice, and social changes across SEED’s thematic portfolio. In collaboration with advocacy colleagues, as well as with SEED’s communications unit, program teams, legal and government relations experts, and executive leadership, the Policy and Advocacy Advisor will elevate SEED’s profile on core protection and human rights issues in Iraq by staying abreast of contextual developments and international guidance; assisting with dynamic planning and response; conducting technical analysis and policy research; developing advocacy, awareness-raising, and communications materials; and representing SEED in relevant coordination fora. The Policy and Advocacy Advisor reports to SEED’s Policy and Advocacy Manager and is based in SEED’s headquarter office in Erbil, with regular travel across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Specific Tasks:

Technical Assistance (40%)

• Conduct needs assessments and gap analyses in SEED’s core work areas to identify and advise on opportunities to advance policy perspectives on behalf of vulnerable people across Iraq and the KRI.
• Provide research and analysis on existing laws, policies, regulations, and practices, and track and report on relevant developments.
• Stay abreast of international best practices to inform approaches, and adapt resources and guidance as necessary for the local context.
• Formulate actionable, evidence-based recommendations for key regional, national, and international stakeholders.
• Support dynamic planning across SEED’s advocacy portfolio in response to emerging windows of opportunity, new developments and challenges, and notable shifts or deteriorations in the advocacy environment.
• Advise on rubrics, tools, and indicators to measure the impact of SEED’s advocacy, and support evaluation of these efforts in collaboration with MEAL.

Materials Development (40%)

• Create and contribute to advocacy materials in SEED’s core areas of work, such as policy and issue briefs, position papers, articles, statements, presentations, handouts, flyers, and other strategic communications for SEED’s social media channels and website.
• Support members of SEED’s executive and senior leadership with internal briefings, positioning notes, and talking points to prepare them for key advocacy events and meetings.
• Regularly update key messaging across SEED’s core issue areas to ensure that critical developments in terminology, current research, or context are reflected, and apprise key staffers of changes to support them in remaining on message.

Coordination, Relationships, and Representation (20%)

• Consult with thematic and technical experts, as needed, to inform and refine SEED’s approaches.
• Attend events and advocacy engagements relevant to SEED’s core work areas, and circulate readouts and resources as appropriate.
• Represent SEED in relevant coordination fora, as well as with UN agencies, local and international NGOs, government interlocutors, and donors as needed, and ensure key information is channeled back into the organization.
• Identify opportunities for relationship-building and collaboration among key actors with shared advocacy objectives, and pursue strategic partnerships.

Essential Criteria:

• Master’s Degree in political science, public policy, law, international development, conflict studies, human rights, or another related field.
• At least three years of highly relevant, demonstrated experience with policy analysis and advocacy in the humanitarian and/or international development fields.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and public speaking skills.
• Strong understanding of protection and human rights issues.
• Fluency in English, with knowledge of Arabic and/or Kurdish a plus.
• Experience in the Middle East and contextual familiarity with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region highly desirable.
• Ability to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environments.
• Willingness to live in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.