Role profile Basic information Job title Department Location Reports to Matrix manager if applicable Direct reports Overall people management responsibility Senior adviser, Humanitarian policy and advocacy International London Head of humanitarian practice and advocacy SAPO - East Africa/South Sudan SAPO - Humanitarian Haiyan SAPO - DRC/Great Lakes Not applicable. Not applicable Matrix management responsibility 3 Budgetary responsibility Child protection clearance required Expected travel per annum On call/unsocial hours Not applicable Not required Up to 40 days No Role definition Role purpose To lead in shaping Christian Aid s humanitarian policy and advocacy work in promoting a humanitarian sector that is fit for purpose in a world with more frequent, unpredictable disaster risks and greater vulnerability and exposure. Developing appropriate research agendas, policy reports and publications and advocacy strategies to further CA humanitarian priorities Leading and coordinating humanitarian and crisis advocacy work across the International Department to strengthen coherence and facilitate greater cross-organisational analysis of humanitarian and disaster management priorities. Representing humanitarian and disaster issues in internal CA policy, media and government relations strategy planning and coordination meetings. Fostering relationships with key humanitarian and DRR actors, networks, government representatives, and UN officials. Role context Christian Aid believes poverty can be ended and that to do so, unequal power relations need to be 1
changed. Both intensive (large scale or high impact) emergencies or extensive (slow-onset or repeated small scale) emergencies disempower affected populations. Disasters hit hardest those who are poor, vulnerable and marginalised, but disasters can also undermine those people who are working themselves out of poverty, by undermining their efforts and any resilience they have built up. The role sits within the Humanitarian Division and serves as the focal point and driver of CA s humanitarian policy and advocacy. The post holder represents Christian Aid in key external networks and forums. Our advocacy work is an important part of Christian Aids work - creating the right enabling environment for positive change and will reinforce our humanitarian mission and programme objectives. The post holder will work cross-organisationally and will coordinate work across all international departments and support colleagues to continually promote the interests of poor people and local organisations to improve humanitarian and disaster risk reduction programmes, policy and advocacy work and corporate strategies. The role will promote and facilitate thinking on humanitarian issues across the organisation. The role is responsible for tracking key policy debates and positioning CA as a credible voice within them. Key outcomes Sharpen strategic thinking, focus and analysis of Christian Aid's humanitarian work across the International department (ID). Developing coherent humanitarian policy and advocacy strategies and plans, working with ID colleagues. Leading and undertaking research, evidence gathering and learning processes that are documented, analysed and inform internal and external policy and advocacy documents. Strong synergy between geographical and corporate policy and advocacy through positive relationships with senior management, national partners, ecumenical networks and policymakers. Developing and building the organisations status within the sector as a leading humanitarian agency with robust humanitarian policy and advocacy leadership. Integrating Humanitarian programme performance and current academic thinking to develop evidence based positions for improved decision making and learning. Role requirements Relationships External Internal Fosters high level contacts with the humanitarian sector, UN member states, UN agencies, research institutions etc Works with external NGOs, civil society organisations, networks, government, UN member states, ACT Alliance, regulatory bodies and the media. Manages the relationships with networks working on this area. Works with ID humanitarian/crisis advocacy colleagues to ensure that their experience and perspectives inform corporate advocacy priorities. A member of the Humanitarian division. Works closely with staff in PPD, Media, Campaigns, ID and across the humanitarian division. A member of cross-organisational groups, leading humanitarian and crisis advocacy coordination, and supporting the Climate Change APG group. Requires excellent relationships with country staff at all levels specifically those working on humanitarian and resilience programmes. Close working relationships with regional advocacy and humanitarian 2
colleagues to ensure coherent approaches particularly on global processes such as post2015 development framework, posthfa, World Humanitarian Summit Decision making Provides relevant policy advice to PPD, the ID Senior Management Team, the Directorate, Media, Campaigns and other teams. Develops cross-organisational positioning and strategies to further CA s objectives and work goals in relevant thematic areas. Manages central humanitarian research and learning work. Recruits and manages consultants, interns or volunteers appointed to support specific policy or advocacy work. Matrix manages and/or works closely with humanitarian policy colleagues in regional teams to inform a coherent cross-organisational policy and advocacy approach on humanitarian priorities. Analytical skills Strong analytical skills combined with proven experience of managing and commissioning policy and advocacy projects. Ability to analyse complex situations and look beyond the surface to the underlying causes. Ability to analyse and synthesize information to understand issues, identify options and support sound decision making. Responds quickly and effectively to rapid onset or rapidly changing situation. Developing self and others Responsible for influencing work of others, setting corporate policy on advocacy and policy strategy in particular areas of specialism. Required to work on own initiative, providing support and advice to internal and external colleagues and specialist knowledge to colleagues. Ability to initiate, plan and work on own without requiring support or supervision. In doing so, will be well organised and self-administering. Must be able to work in a team, support and build relationships, including at a distance and across different teams. Represents Christian Aid in negotiation with governments and participating in inter-agency groups. Represents Christian Aid in the media. Person specification Applied skills/knowledge and expertise Essential Graduate or equivalent in development/ social sciences or related subject. Postgraduate qualification or other evidence of highly developed analytical ability. Excellent knowledge of current thinking / debates on international humanitarian and disaster risk reduction/climate change work. Sound and informed knowledge of donor policy, trends and analytical frameworks around humanitarian and disaster policy Familiarity with a range of decision makers - DFID, EU, UN, IASC, ICVA, BOND etc. Extensive experience of humanitarian and disaster risk reduction policy and advocacy. Excellent facilitation skills and ability to promote critical thinking and reflection. Proven experience of: designing and managing research projects; designing and managing advocacy strategies. Track record of promoting organisational understanding and learning. Experience of coordinating cross-organisational strategies and advising programme and management staff Demonstrable ability to influence others and negotiate win-win solutions. Creative thinking and track record of promoting innovative approaches. 3
Excellent communication and writing ability. Demonstrable ability to build effective working relationships across organisations, including at a distance and within different cultural settings. Highly developed analytical skills and ability to manage complex information and present it in ways that support learning and decision-making. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including ability to communicate effectively across cultures and at a distance. Experience or understanding of working with local partners. Desirable Understanding of quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies. Experience of institutional donor funded programmes and requirements, or other evidence of effective monitoring and report-writing skills. Understanding of individual performance management approaches. Experience of managing researchers and/or consultants. Experience of coaching, distance learning or other training / learning approaches. Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish, French and/or Portuguese. Experience of working in overseas contexts of which at least two should be in emergency contexts. IT competency required Intermediate Competency profile LEVEL 3: You are expected to be able to: Build partnerships Manage teams or lead projects supportively, involving others in discussing how to take work forward, helping people feel a part of the team and treating everyone equally. Influence others to develop shared understanding and work cooperatively and collaboratively towards common goals where there are different personal or organisational agendas. Develop and maintain new relationships with individuals and organisations to further Christian Aid s aims. Recognise and value differences in people; be ready to challenge assumptions, beliefs or attitudes in self or others. Manage expectations and adhere to what s agreed, by doing what you say you re going to do. Communicate effectively Reflect the needs of different audiences, adapting style, media, timing and pace to communicate effectively. Show understanding of how personal and external factors affect others communication style and needs and seek to manage these differences to ensure that all voices are heard. Clarify expectations and anticipate others interests and potential issues, to help them get involved in debate and dialogue. Steward resources Accept accountability internally and externally for the effective use of Christian Aid resources. Before using or commissioning new resources, look for ways to achieve more effective outcomes by using existing resources in a new or different way Manage resources and workloads to ensure your own and others goals are achieved. Deliver results Create plans with key milestones and measurable outcomes: track progress and adjust to meet the objectives, ensuring others are aware of changes and reasons for them. 4
Ensure individuals and teams understand and agree to work to the overall goals, specific objectives and quality standards. Make recommendations or decisions in the best interest of Christian Aid, involving others as needed both within and beyond your work area. Be willing to take action or make recommendations or decisions in difficult or ambiguous situations. Commit to your decisions and be accountable for them. Show willingness to adapt if your initial decision did not produce the expected result. Realise potential Demonstrate continuing commitment to your own professional and personal development. Use coaching and mentoring skills to support others to develop. Encourage others to give their best by discussing goals and aspirations and recognising achievement. Provide an appropriate level of supervision according to need; know when to provide help and when to give others space to learn, Give constructive and timely feedback to others on difficult or contentious issues. Deal with poor performance directly and sensitively, seeking appropriate and timely advice and support if needed. Strive for improvement Be open to radical suggestions. Evaluate the benefits and risks of new ideas and ways of working and identify ways to reduce risk. Find and implement ways to better support internal knowledge and information-sharing. Coach others on dealing with resistance to change. Seek and evaluate a range of viewpoints, internal and external, about how Christian Aid could do things better. DATE CREATED 20/11/14 Further details of specific tasks and duties will be agreed with the line manager as part of the performance agreement. Any reasonable duty may be assigned that is consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility. This role profile is not prescriptive; it merely outlines the key behaviours the role-holder requires to be successful in the role; the key behaviours and responsibilities are subject to change. Any changes will be made in consultation with the role-holder. You will be expected to abide by the Code of Conduct, policies and procedures within Christian Aid which may be updated from time to time. You must be in sympathy with the aims, beliefs and values of Christian Aid as it seeks to work on relief, development and advocacy for poverty eradication. 5