Policy Research Manager

TEAM/PROGRAMME: AMC

LOCATION: Amman

GRADE: 4 (National or International Non-Accompanied)

CONTRACT LENGTH: 12 months

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 2: The post holder will have access to personal data about children and/or young people as part of their work.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The purpose of the role is to lead the external policy research and analysis for the Syria Response Office, in line with the annual advocacy strategy, including specific support for education programming and advocacy.. The role will support the AMC Director in identifying issues, developing research frameworks and policy analysis processes, and advicacy.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: AMC Director

Staff directly reporting to this post: N/A

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Research and Policy Development and Implementation

• Support SRO’s Advocacy, Media and Communications team with a clear vision and integrated workplan and objectives for research and policy development;
• Co-lead with the Research and MEAL Senior Manager the Country Office’s research, evidence and learning agenda, ensure coordination and engagement across all departments to deliver on the strategic objectives. Identify priority issues for children, develop key advocacy messages and identify targets from lessons learned, assessments, research and evidence gained through project implementation. The postholder will hold primary responsibility for risk mitigation and management associated with the delivery on this strategy;
• Support the maintenance of the SRO’s library of research, evidence, assessments, and lessons learned, by ensuring the Save the Children Global Pipeline for Research, Evaluations, and Assessments is updated with relevant research pieces, in close collaboration with the MEAL department
• Produce or support the production of reports, briefing papers and presentations for internal and external audiences as directed;
• Develop credible research methodologies in coordination with MEAL and other relevant departments for new and ongoing research and context monitoring activities;
• Maintain a strategic overview of issues effecting children’s rights in Syria, monitoring trends in the external environment and inputting and/or leading as required to organisational strategy and planning processes, in coordination with other team members.
• Ensure a robust overview, ongoing analysis, and development of key messages around protecting children in conflict issues with the particular focus on education and protection, movement and access, humanitarian and operational space issues affecting Save the Children’s ability to deliver quality programs for children.

Influencing

• Support the development and implementation of advocacy objectives and initiatives, both short and long term, encompassing a wide range of issues and audiences.
• Ensure that voices of children are integral to SC’s advocacy and campaigning.
• Develop good knowledge of local and national government structures (in Syria and in key SC Member capitals), parliamentary and political processes and key decision making structures and how to influence them;
• Develop dissemination and communication strategies for key advocacy messages, together with communications colleagues.

Coordination & Representation

• Develop and cultivate strategic relationships with other agencies engaged in research and policy work in Syria.
• Support external advocacy coordination forums, including SIRF, NES NGO Forum Advocacy Working Group and the NWS NGO Forum and clusters or working groups upon request, promoting or ensuring inclusion of Save the Children prioritized child rights issues in these essential coalition fora.
• Develop and maintain a network of external contacts with key individuals in the government, donors, NGO sector, civil society and the media.
• Represent SC at various policy forums and advocacy opportunities at national and international levels as directed.
• Liaise closely with staff in the Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns units within the SC Members, the Regional Office, and at the Center, and other fora to integrate and coordinate policy change initiatives throughout SC Members.
• Develop strong links with the SC Members for advocacy / awareness raising globally. Ensure development of the CO communications strategy, towards donors (working with the MRM) and other external stakeholders.
• Write regular progress reports as needed, to keep the SRO and regional team updated, and contribute to the advocacy updates for the Humantiarian Advocacy Working Group as required.
• Ensure that SC responds appropriately to emergencies, providing policy analysis and support around humanitarian space issues, and support the AMC team to meet emergency comms requirements, including sitreps, fact sheets, updates and other required products..
• Perform other tasks as required

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Social Science or related field.
• A minimum of 5 years demonstrated experience

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• At least 5 years experience in a humanitarian or development environment, preferably leading advocacy and policy change in the Middle East.
• Substantial experience in successfully leading the development of policy change analyses and implementation of advocacy strategies towards clearly articulated policy change agendas.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead research, data analysis and writing evidence-based papers and policy positions;
• Ability to design and manage databases;
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
• Fluency in writing and presentation skills in English required
• Excellent skills in advocating towards government officials
• Strong skills in developing and implementing advocacy strategies
• Extensive knowledge of child rights and international humanitarian law
• Understanding of UN and donor operations at country level
• High level analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Advanced understanding of protection issues arising from a conflict setting, impact on protected populations, and implications for humanitarian aid agencies.
• Experience in managing risks associated with research, advocacy and communications in high-risk settings, including in developing risk management plans and mitigation measures.
• Experience in capacity-building and supporting the development of a team, including supporting junior members of staff to deliver high-quality output.

Desireable

• Preferbly Arabic speaker
• Experience in participatory research methodologies, including child-led research;
• Sound command and understanding of the context in Syria;
• Experience in coordination of various stakeholders a plus;
• Experience solving complex issues through analysis;
• Has a strong international network within advocacy and policy settings;
• Demonstrable track record of leading change, resulting in significant results for the organisation and their stakeholders.
• Strong results orientation

Note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, it is recommended to submit your application as soon as possible.

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.