POLICY COORDINATOR

JOB PURPOSE: Lead the policy strategy and direction of the Oxfam Syria country program in close coordination with the Advocacy, Influencing and Communication Coordinator to establish strong and relevant linkages with programming and advocacy efforts. The main aspects of this role are to develop policy strategy, identify policy opportunities and link policy with advocacy efforts that raise awareness of key factors that impact vulnerable communities in Syria, and, in the process, helping conflict-affected populations to develop agency over their own lives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Strategy Setting and linkages to program.

• Set the policy direction of the Oxfam in Syria program in close collaboration with the Advocacy, Media and Communication Coordinator and the DCD-P
• In close collaboration with the Advocacy, Media and Communication Coordinator, Identify, design, and develop policy opportunities and products focusing on the different aspects covered by the Oxfam Country Strategy and the influencing strategy in Syria.
• Work with the Thematic Advisers and Area Managers to identify key stakeholders within Syria. Presence in the field is expected to keep close to the programmatic directions being implemented.
• Identify and maintain overview of the major trends linked with the different sectors and aspects covered by the Syria OCS and the influencing strategy. Analyse and share those trends accordingly.
• Incorporate into Oxfam’s policy work information and analysis on the policy environment in which Oxfam’s interventions operate.
• Work closely with the AMs and other field teams to engage with Oxfam’s SNGO partners to gain information from their programme and support them to develop their food security and livelihoods advocacy.
• Design and lead the production of policy documents and papers for publication where appropriate to promote Oxfam’s policy and advocacy agenda.
• Ensure that all work addresses the challenges of gender justice.
• Work with fundraising teams to develop funding proposals utilising policy work.

Representation

• Liaise with and coordinate policy work with other agencies, especially INGOs, for example through the sector meetings in Syria, or Area HCTs.
• Lead with the support of Advocacy, Media and Communication Coordinator the representation and participation in policy spaces in coordination with the DCD-P and the CD (i.e. sector working groups, workstreams, etc).
• Support the Advocacy, Media and Communication Coordinator in the representation and participation in advocacy spaces in coordination with the DCD-P and CD (ie, DINGO, Oxfam RiC, SIRF, etc).
• In collaboration with relevant programme staff and management, develop working relations with key stakeholders across the private sector, local authorities and central authorities to influence agenda setting for policy development and practice.
• Support the DCD-P in fundraising and representation efforts as needed.

Policy and Advocacy

• Work closely with the Advocacy, Media and Communication Coordinator to link policy products, strategy and direction to the ongoing advocacy themes and discussions in which Oxfam is actively participating. Close cooperation and collaboration with the Advocacy, Media and Communication Coordinator will be expected and supported
• Support the Advocacy, Media and Communication Coordinator and the Country Director in the influencing efforts of Oxfam in Syria as needed.
• Work closely with Communications department to support the development of stories from conflict-affected populations in support of policy and programme objectives.
• Provide support to the larger advocacy team in the MENA region and in the larger Oxfam confederation lobbying the UN, donors and Governments in relation to Oxfam’s sectors of operations.

Requirment :

• Self-Awareness
• Agility, Complexity, and Ambiguity
• Strategic Thinking and Judgment

Essential

• Graduate qualification in relevant field related to humanitarian and/or development programming and strategies.
• 3-5 years of policy and/or policy work in humanitarian responses in general both internationally or nationally
• Knowledge of the humanitarian response and architecture in Syria
• Proven capacity and experience in policy development and strategic analysis.
• Experience in managing teams.
• Ability to engage with external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively in Arabic and English, both verbally and written, including ability to convey complex realities in a simple yet engaging manner.
• Proven capability to work to and cope with multiple deadlines.
• Team player, self-motivated, able to meet agreed deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Commitment to gender justice and ensuring issues of gender are an integral part of all work.
• Ability to travel around Syria, including for overnight stays.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the sectors in which Oxfam works in Syria
• Ability to travel to Beirut
• Experience working as part of the humanitarian response in Syria would be advantageous.