West Bank Protection Consortium Advocacy Coordinator

Position: West Bank Protection Consortium Advocacy Coordinator

Reporting Relationship: Consortium Chief of Party

Location: Ramallah, Occupied Palestinian Territory

Type of contract: a first 3 (three) month collaboration contract subject to verification of the achievement of specific objectives (these objectives will be agreed together with the Consortium Chief of Party and the Consortium Steering Committee upon arrival on assignment); a second collaboration contract of 9 (nine) months renewable, following the positive evaluation of the first three months of contract.

Deadline: 18/08/2022

Starting date: 15 October 2022

Gross Salary: to be defined according to the candidate’s profile

General Description

WeWorld-GVC, recently constituted from the merger of two NGOs, is an Italian secular and independent organization working since 1971 in international cooperation and humanitarian aid. Present in 29 countries, WeWorld-GVC operates in human rights (gender equality, prevention and combating violence against children and women, migration), humanitarian aid (prevention, emergency relief and rehabilitation), food security, access to water, health and hygiene, education, global citizenship education, quality teaching and international volunteering. WeWorld-GVC works mostly with girls, boys, women and youth, actors of change in every community for a fairer and more inclusive world. Supports people overcoming emergencies and guarantees a life with dignity, opportunities and a better future through human and economic development programs, in the framework of the 2030 Agenda. Joining the WeWorld-GVC team means being part of the development of a dynamic organisation where the contribution of each staff member is promoted and valued, working together towards the collective achievement of shared goals and vision.

WORKING CONTEXT

Background

The distinctive characteristics and drivers of the humanitarian crisis in the oPt remain directly related to the impact of prolonged belligerent occupation, now in its fifty third year. A protection crisis persists, driven by the systematic denial of Palestinian rights, structural barriers to Palestinian development, conflict and lack of accountability for violations of international law, which in turn result in chronic humanitarian needs and dependence on relief. In the West Bank, 881,000 Palestinians are in need of protection (oPt Humanitarian Response Strategy 2018-2020) due to recurrent violations of IHL and IHRL. In Area C, East Jerusalem and H2 Hebron – the areas of focus of the Consortium – a coercive environment prevails, which encourages the non-consensual displacement of Palestinians from their homes and lands, in contravention with international law. This coercive environment is generated through push factors that lead to forcible transfer, including demolitions, settler and military violence and harassment, as well as restrictions on movement and access to resources, basic services and humanitarian assistance.

The West Bank Protection Consortium

The West Bank Protection Consortium (the WBPC) is a strategic partnership between DG ECHO, ten like-minded EU Member States, the United Kingdom and five International NGOs (NRC, ACTED, Action Against Hunger, WeWorld-GVC and PUI) formed in 2015 to prevent the forcible transfer of Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem through a protection-oriented, multi-sector humanitarian response that encompasses emergency relief, community-based protection, the provision of basic and social infrastructure, legal aid and humanitarian advocacy.

The WBPC contributes to the protection of Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, from individual and mass forcible transfer by:

• Supporting the empowerment and mobilization of communities living in an environment in which international humanitarian law (IHL) violations are prevalent
• Providing essential services, material assistance, legal aid and emergency support to households and communities at risk of forcible transfer
• Promoting changes in the policies and practices that lead to forcible transfer

The leading agency of the WBPC is NRC. The Advocacy Coordinator is hosted by WeWorld-GVC and reports to the Consortium Chief of Party. As host agency for the WBPC, WeWorld-GVC organisational financial, logistical and security procedures are used, however the Advocacy Coordinator retains programmatic independence from WeWorld-GVC to ensure equal representation and treatment of all consortium members.

Purpose of the Role

The Advocacy Coordinator advises and supports the Consortium Secretariat, Steering Committee and Board to deliver evidenced and rights-based, humanitarian advocacy. The Advocacy Coordinator aims to ensure advocacy activities result in legislative and policy reforms as well as increased awareness and support from the international community and national constituencies in a view to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid and protection while reducing the coercive environment for Palestinian population.

The Advocacy Coordinator is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of a comprehensive innovative advocacy strategy, in cooperation with Consortium Partners, Donors and other stakeholders. Activities will include a comprehensive analysis of key stakeholders who can influence positively or negatively any change towards greater respect and fulfilment of Palestinians’ fundamental rights.

The Advocacy Coordinator is a member of the Consortium Secretariat and chairs the Consortium’s Advocacy Working Group, and actively contributes to the strategic direction of the Consortium, including planning for subsequent years.

Generic Responsibilities:

• Develop and coordinate the WBPC advocacy response to protection of Palestinians and preservation of humanitarian space in the West Bank and East Jerusalem
• Implement Consortium advocacy strategy, aligned to overall consortium strategy and defined outcomes
• Ensure advocacy coherence and reinforce effective synergies between consortium programmatic work and advocacy by working closely with secretariat and partners to integrate advocacy into program planning and implementation
• Provide high quality analysis and prepare evidenced-based policy briefing papers, policy position statements and other public-facing advocacy products when strategic and relevant
• Liaise with consortium partners’ offices to coordinate the strategic delivery of advocacy messaging and outputs to maximize impact and ensure coordination
• Support the Consortium Chief of Party in strengthening and expanding strategic advocacy networks and identifying opportunities to advocate consortium positions and recommendations
• Regularly visit WBPC field sites to support WBPC staff and beneficiaries
• Gather evidence and document rights infringements to ensure WBPC advocacy is supported by evidence from the field

Specific Responsibilities:

• Support the Consortium Chief of Party in briefing and liaising with representatives from the Consortium, donor agencies, and the international community on Consortium advocacy findings and recommendations, including emergent events and emergency responses
• Chair, coordinate and supervise the Consortium Advocacy Working Group, formed by the Advocacy Officers of the 5 partners
• Coordinate and supervise the production of targeted research, policy and legal analyses, evidence-based reporting and other awareness-raising activities, jointly whenever possible, on coercive environment and serious international law violations, including but not limited to forcible transfer, destruction of property, denial of essential services and settler violence
• Coordinate and supervise the production and dissemination of the Consortium’s bi-monthly Sitrep
• Support and advise the Representative in engaging European member states at domestic and international level
• Ensure that the Consortium’s advocacy strategy and defined activities are implemented according to defined project outputs and timelines
• Work with Consortium secretariat and partner agencies to collect and analyse data on protection and humanitarian issues to inform advocacy directions, for use in the production and distribution of advocacy-focused briefs to donors, government, and the diplomatic community
• Contribute to the strategic development of the Consortium, including proposal and strategy development in relation to advocacy contribution
• Participate in the oPt relevant coordinating and planning bodies, when relevant
• Engage with local duty bearers to fulfil their obligations under international law toward the protection of human rights and the welfare of the Palestinian population
• Represent the WBPC in advocacy coordination forums
• Prepare and regularly update analysis, updates, key messages, talking points and briefing materials
• Liaise and collaborate with relevant local and national authorities and stakeholders and represent WBPC in relevant forums/cluster/working groups as requested by the Chief of Party

Accountable to:

• The Consortium Chief of Party

Works in coordination with:

• The Consortium Head of Programme
• The Consortium MEAL and Data Analyst
• The Country Directors of the partner organizations
• The members of Advocacy Working Group and all the partners’ relevant staff
• Relevant national and international stakeholders

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Knowledge:

• An advanced university degree in the field of Communication, Social or Political Science, Development Studies, International relations, International Humanitarian Law
• Professional knowledge of humanitarian and protection principles
• Professional knowledge and experience of policy and advocacy sectors
• Fluency in written and spoken English, with strong writing and editing skills

Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience working in humanitarian sector and/or relevant organizations
• Communications management, including internal communications and communicating with communities
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Experiencing planning and overseeing outreach and actors´ engagement planning

Skills and Abilities:

• Proven organizational skills and ability to manage effectively multiple tasks while fostering quality, team spirit and positive working relationships with colleagues
• Ability to think strategically and conceptually and to translate these into concrete results
• Ability to identify, initiate and maintain good relationships with partner organizations, donors and national authorities including building professional relationships with senior decision-makers and influencers/leaders
• Strong interpersonal relationships and demonstrated ability to leverage business networks and partnerships for continued growth
• Ability to think outside of the box and to be creative and innovative
• Ability to work under pressure
• Demonstrates integrity concerning NGO values and ethical standards
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly
• Valid and clean driving license

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Desirable experience in working in a Consortium
• Desirable professional knowledge and/or experience of the Palestinian context, including INGOs, local NGOs, donors, UN agencies and relevant stakeholders
• Previous experience in oPt will be considered an asset
• Knowledge of Arabic or Hebrew would be considered an asset

The recruitment process may be closed early if a suitable candidate is found.