Advocacy and Engagement Officer

Job Purpose:

Community-centred advocacy, based on sound Research and analysis, envisages strategic Alliances and coalitions with likeminded civil society organizations (CSOs) at Divisional / district level to take forward the cause of climate change and its impacts on marginalized communities in an effective manner. Bridging the gap and initiating a consistent dialogue between communities and government departments to address the inconsistencies between climate change policy, Divisional / District plans and implementation. The incumbent will contribute to social and behaviour change across multiple IRP initiatives including Climate Change and Disaster Risk management. The incumbent would work on developing and implementing IRP focused advocacy strategies, design and deliver advocacy interventions. The candidate for this position would also provide technical support to staff and partners involved in the implementation. Support the development and implementation of awareness programs in the targeted communities and Liaisons at community level and district/provincial line department staff.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Technical

·         Supporting Role in evolving an advocacy agenda about the Campaigns from district to provincial level with focus on existing policies and gaps.

·         Implementing advocacy agenda in the form of suitable forums, initiatives and campaigns by engaging different stakeholders, particularly government at district and provincial.

·         Strategically linking the climate change specific advocacy initiatives with DRR, Food Security, WASH and Livelihoods’ existing policies and issues on the ground through promoting culture of dialogue and accountability between community and government line departments.

·         Embedding peoples’ focused advocacy in the social mobilization processes as community groups should be enabled and empowered to raise voice for their communities bearing the impact of climate change.

·         Closely engaging with area office teams in designing and organizing advocacy initiatives and campaigns.

·         Provide support and expertise to Specialist, coordinator, management and other staff particularly social mobilization on a range of advocacy issues methods and approaches that are cleared with agreed strategies of program and organization.

·         Building Alliances and coalitions at district and provincial level with likeminded organizations to effectively take forward the cause of the deprived people.

·         Leading, managing and coordinating the forums and events under advocacy initiatives in consultation with team of area offices.

·         Facilitating / organizing media outreach; arranges all media contacts, press briefings, and interviews; provides talking points and other materials as needed for project/ program as well as management

·         Capacity building in advocacy of the staff particularly involved in social mobilization.

·         Chalking out media strategy for advocacy initiatives in close coordination with communication department that outcomes of the initiatives can widely published & disseminated.

·         In view of changing policy arena at local, provincial and national level, the organization may assign additional assignment related to advocacy.

·         Serve as advocacy Focal point of contact in Division / District with the communities and implement greater accountability to the beneficiaries and communities.

·         Collate all the data in regard to climate impact related activities and assist in preparing periodic reports both internal and external.

Operational.

·         Preparation of monthly Advocacy activities- work plans against PMT (performance measured time frame) by ensuring timely completion of assigned tasks in stipulated time period.

·         Maintenance of hard record that includes field visits reports, Stakeholders meeting minutes & other documentation.

·         Ensure appropriate stakeholders data collection & screening prior to making any transaction

·         Ensure proper filling of forms & formats as per desired standard

·         Extend support to MEAL / MIS / Communications staff for gathering desired information.

·         Ensure availability of up to date info in MIS on regular basis with consultation of MIS / M&E.

·         Close coordination with line manager for effective implementation of project activities

Organizational

·         Ensure compliance with IR’s policies & procedures in true spirit for effective delivery of services to communities.

·         In depth understanding of IR values and their demonstration in the field while working with communities.

·         Abide by the IR zero tolerance policy towards bribery & corruption through sensitization / empowerment of communities on coping mechanism so that they can raise voice as & when feel inappropriate

·         Thorough knowledge of IR strategic priorities to ensure effective implementation with future sustainability.

·         Assist in identification & documentation of organizational successes for show casing IR work

·         Facilitate communities in adaptation of environment friendly & cost effective approaches to meet their current as well as future needs with specific attention to climate change.

·         Focused efforts to be made for mainstreaming of marginalized groups i.e. Persons with disability and old age, minorities, Women & children etc in consultation & implementation of project activities at ground.

·         Strengthen mechanism to Influence the decision makers through communities to pay attention towards DRR planning, give voice to suffering and the excluded, highlighting the protection needs of people.

·         Participation and facilitation in implementation of IR seasonal programmes.

Pre-employment Checks:  

Any employment with Islamic Relief will be subject to the following checks:

• Screening clearance
• Receipt of satisfactory references

Our values and commitment to safeguarding.

IRW is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity, and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults, and beneficiaries with whom IRW engages. IRW expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organization.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme

In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

To cater to the higher living cost, IR Pakistan is transferring the exchange gain (PKR-GBP) on salary to staff at a prevailing conversion rate till further notice. Salaries are paid in local currency.