PROGRAMME OFFICER: EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES Annual Salary and Benefits Internal Job Grade Contract type D1 Fixed Term Reporting to EI Programme and Campaigns Manager Staff reporting to this post N/A Locations InCountry (and geographical area to be covered in the role) Annual Budget OXFAM PURPOSE: To work with others to overcome poverty and suffering TEAM PURPOSE For more than 15 years, Oxfam has carried out an integrated global program addressing the impacts of oil, gas and mining operations. Oxfam s Extractive Industries Program works to strengthen the capacity of local communities to protect their economic, social and cultural rights and to reform the policies and practices of the corporations, financial institutions and governmental bodies that are involved in extractive activity. This work fully embodies Oxfam s rightsbased approach to development, including the right to a livelihood, the right to be heard, the right to a voice and the right to an identity. We urge governments and corporations to respect these rights and promote sustainable development through advocating just policies and practices, by campaigning for change, and by establishing local partnerships in local communities in Ghana and around the globe. As a leader in addressing extractive industries issues, Oxfam Extractive Industries Program is rooted in deep relationships with local partners in 13 countries and drives policy change through localglobal research, advocacy and campaigning strategies. JOB PURPOSE The Program Officer (PO) is an integral member of the Oxfam in Ghana team to provide support in the implementation of the Extractive Industries Program through campaign, research, evaluation, and public relations work in Ghana. The PO is expected to work closely with all key actors under the Program and Campaigns Manager s supervision. In close collaboration with other Oxfam teams, the role will contribute to the implementation of Oxfam s Country Strategy and contribute to the regional and global EI strategy as well. DIMENSIONS Most key tasks will require a significant amount of initiative to be demonstrated. Objectives will be agreed with the EI Programme and Campaigns Manager but will allow significant discretion to be exercised by the post holder. In consultation with EI Programme and Campaigns Manager, lead on designing and delivering policy research and policy development activities including publications, networks and events in order to inform and influence public policy in the Extractive Sector in Ghana Responsible for Systems and information Management for the EI team.
Provide Leadership for internal and external coordination of the EI program especially on Campaign coordination and influencing. Oversee the implementation grants form donors Work with the EI Programme and Campaigns Manager in the review and implementation of the Extractive Industries Programme Strategy. Provide inputs on the development of the Extractive Industries Programme strategy, annual work plan and budgets. Produce, assimilate, analyse and use complex programme information from varied sources to provide indepth analysis in the major pillars of the Extractive Industries program for monitoring evaluation and Learning. Contribute to the development, and implementation of longterm advocacy and campaign strategies of the EI team, delivering on Oxfam s mission to achieve changes in policy and practice, and contributing to regional and global campaigns in the Extractive Industry (EI) sector. Achievement of goals through influencing external and internal policies and agendas, using sound political judgment, sensitivity, and strong influencing and negotiating skills. Identifying, building and management of significant external relationships, including with partners, allies, lobby targets and media contacts, and forging close collaboration with the EI Programme and Campaigns Manager and other key stakeholders with the EI team. Provision of specialist advice and specific skills to mainstream and reinforce Research, advocacy, Influencing and MEL with partners working on EI Coordinate data collection and other key information from partners and others stakeholders for use by the programme. Making strategic and informed decisions, based on technical expertise, consultation with colleagues and allies, political analysis and strong problemsolving skills. Analysis, interpretation, production and communication of complex information in simple clear language. Development and support of alliances, networks and coalitions, as appropriate. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Systems and Information Management Support Program and Campaigns manager in annual budget development Prepare consulting contracts and track deliverables and payments Coordinate with Communications Team, other Program Department Coordinators and the MEL Manager or Advisor on the quality and utilization of Team Approach templates and other reporting systems, including through training, ongoing program development, screening of lobby entries submitted by Partner citizen activists, and routine queries and reports generation. Manage team documentation stored on the server and on the intranet. Maintain intranet and other relevant site for team. Event Management and Communication In close collaboration with the Programme and Campaigns Manager, prepare and coordinate meetings, workshop and seminars as required. In collaboration with the Programme and Campaigns Manager, facilitate meeting and event requirements of visiting OI EI Team members. In collaboration with the Programme and Campaigns Manager, Undertake and participate in awareness raising events and networking as required. Policy Analysis, Advocacy and External Affairs Analyse information and disseminate such resources as to support the work of the EI team, partners and allies
Work on policy, legal and regulatory issues as identified by the Programme and Campaigns Manager and Policy Manager. In close collaboration with the Programme and Campaigns Manager, participate in targeted lobbying with key actors such as donors, authorities and the private sector as required. Provide regular updates on the political, regulatory and commercial context of EI in Ghana to facilitate policy and advocacy work. Ensure that women s representation is fair and highlighted as appropriate. Provide Leadership on research needs as required. Identify advocacy opportunities to advance the extractive industries agendas. Develop and maintain key relationships with international financial institutions, corporations and governmental targets relevant to the issues prioritized. Participate in advocacy meetings with target actors. Develop case studies on extractive industry issues for use in broader EI campaigns Collaborate with media and campaign staff to support the development of press and campaigning strategies that support policy change strategies related to extractive industries and the various program pillars. Identify, build, and manage learning and collaborative partnerships with as appropriate partners, donors, local organisations, think tanks and universities at country level, to enforce learning and knowledge exchange. Proactively engage with (support and learn from) other programme officers and leads in West Africa Region and Oxfam HQ as required. Capture, share and communicate key programme learning with partners, other programme colleagues, countries in West Africa and Oxfam International. Granting and Partner Relations In compliance with grantmaking procedures and policies, ensure fulfilment of implementation. Provide updated EI information and resources as required by partners and allies. Build the capacity of partners and allies so that they can work to effectively respond to sector developments and opportunities. Participate and contribute to the coordination meetings of civil society groups working on mining and oil issues. Work closely with partners as technical support on grant management. In collaboration with the Programme and Campaigns Manager, Organize, annual partner working group meetings to facilitate learning and exchange among EI partners. Monitoring, evaluation and learning Conduct regular monitoring visits, followups and evaluation of grants, analyse projects, and recommend appropriate actions as necessary. Working with the Finance team, ensure the submission of narrative and financial report to donors. Report on partner compliance in terms of grants and contracts. Conduct routine monitoring and analysis: data collection, synthesis and analysis for key campaign outcomes, such as: media coverage; constituent building and mobilization; briefings, meetings & testimony; demand for publications; alliance activities; policy text content analysis; policymaker public statement analysis. Coordinate with Communications staff on routine monitoring and analysis for campaignrelevant activities such as constituent outreach, new media responserates, media hits, etc. When relevant, coordinate with partner program staff to collect, analyze and synthesize campaignrelevant activities and outcomes. Conduct selective special project evaluations using qualitative and quantitative methods, such as: member influence case studies, special events & initiatives analysis.
Maintain routine monitoring data and help ensure high data quality & usability of information systems, such as: online & offline constituent databases, policymaker ratings and strategic profile information. Prepare regular activity and impact reports, information summaries (both narrative and statistical) and presentations, including for senior management and donors, and as otherwise requested. Maintain overall planning and evaluation calendar for the EI team, and share and coordinate planning with other departments. Campaign Support and Coordination Work closely with the EI Program and Campaigns Manager in coordinating and managing the EI Program. Support EI Program and Campaigns Manager in managing of Oxfam s EI Partner working group. Create and distribute EI campaign newsletter, internal blogs, and other communications about campaign activities in country and beyond. Prepare short research documents as requested. Coordinate the EI team s involvement in advocacy and Campaign initiatives. TECHNICAL SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE Essential Leadership and Management Demonstrable ability to work as part of a fast paced, interdisciplinary team Passion for improving effectiveness and impact of multi dimensional program and demonstrating tangible outcomes for poor and vulnerable women and men in affected mining communities. Experience in leading on / developing strategic thinking on program design Strong experience in influencing, managing, advising, training, and coaching others on EI sector specific issues. Demonstrable organizational and project management skills (including budget management) and ability to manage multiple projects to deadlines Ability to plan workload and demonstrate accountability for outputs with minimal direct supervision Good organizational skills including accuracy, consistency, attention to detail, tenacity, and the ability to work under pressure Significant experience of working in partnership with grassroots civil society organisations, national and international NGOs and networks and development agencies; understanding of how to accompany and build the capacity of partner organisations. Technical skills Understanding of national and public policy making and an ability to establish expertise quickly across a range of policy agendas within the Extractive Industry. At least five years experience with considerable field experience in community development in the Extractive Industry. Strong understanding of social and/or environmental justice, rights and globalization issues. Extensive knowledge and experience with civil society advocacy and campaigning strategies. Strong understanding of and analytical skills on sustainable development issues. Experience in conducting or facilitating participatory dialogue processes at community levels. Demonstrable skills and experience in participatory research methodologies including an ability to analyse quantitative data and present results in a clear and understandable manner An understanding of how to use policy analysis, research, lobbying, public campaigning, media, communications and alliancebuilding to influence a political agenda.
Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills and proven experience of research. Experience of improving effectiveness of development and influencing programs and demonstrating tangible outcomes for poor and vulnerable women and men in mining affected communities. Demonstrable understanding of effective program cycle management in rightsbased longterm development, influencing work, with relevant direct field program experience. Proven ability to lead and facilitate the design and development of strategies, programs and projects. Proven ability to lead and advise on the development and implementation information management systems Proven experience in supporting strategic thinking and quality improvement on partnership Understanding of and commitment to Oxfam s one program approach Practical experience of mainstreaming gender in development and influencing work Demonstrable ability to think creatively and practically to improve program design and quality A team player, who works well in a multicultural environment, communicates readily and shares learning with colleagues, partners, beneficiaries and officials. Ability and willingness to undertake extensive travel in regions. Ability to produce quality work under pressure Communication, networking and influencing Ability to liaise and coordinate with a wide range of people, both internal and external Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with demonstrable ability to lead, influence, and motivate others in a diversity of contexts and functions Strong selfawareness, as well as strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Excellent communication, facilitation, and team building skills Strong influencing skills, demonstrable ability to contribute to teams and to work with and influence people from diverse backgrounds. Effective negotiation abilities and informal leadership skills in a multistakeholder, network environment Desirable Fluency spoken and written English Key Behavioural Competencies Competencies Decisiveness Influencing Humility Relationship Building Listening Mutual Accountability Description We are comfortable with making transparent decisions and with adapting decisionmaking modes to the context and needs. We have the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders in a way that leads to increased impact for the organization. We spot opportunities to influence effectively and where there are no opportunities we have the ability to create them in a respectful and impactful manner. We put we before me and place an emphasis on the power of the collective, nurture the team and play to the strengths of each individual. We are not concerned with hierarchical power, and we engage with and trust and value the knowledge and expertise of others across all levels of the organization. We understand the importance of building relationships, within and outside the organization. We have the ability to engage with traditional and nontraditional stakeholders in ways that lead to increased impact for the organization. We are good listeners who can see where deeper levels of thoughts and tacit assumptions differ. Our messages to others are clear, and consider different preferences. We can explain our decisions and how we have taken them based on our organizational values. We are ready to be held accountable for what we do and how we behave, as we are also holding others to account in a consistent manner.
Agility, Complexity, and Ambiguity Systems Thinking Strategic Thinking and Judgment Vision Setting Self Awareness Enabling We scan the environment, anticipate changes, are comfortable with lack of clarity and deal with a large number of elements interacting in diverse and unpredictable ways. We view problems as parts of an overall system and in their relation to the whole system, rather than reacting to a specific part, outcome or event in isolation. We focus on cyclical rather than linear cause and effect. By consistently practicing systems thinking, we are aware of and manage unintended consequences of organizational decisions and actions. We use judgment, weighing risk against the imperative to act. We make decisions consistent with organizational strategies and values. We have the ability to identify and lead visionary initiatives that are beneficial for our organization and we set highlevel direction through a visioning process that engages the organization and diverse external stakeholders. We are able to develop a high degree of selfawareness around our own strengths and weaknesses and our impact on others. Our selfawareness enables us to moderate and selfregulate our behaviours to control and channel our impulses for good purposes. We all work to effectively empower and enable others to deliver the organizational goals through creating conditions of success. We passionately invest in others by developing their careers, not only their skills for the job. We provide freedom; demonstrate belief and trust, and we provide appropriate support. The job description is not incorporated into the employment contract. It is intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible specification as it may change from time to time in light of strategic developments following discussions with the post holder. The post holder will be expected to work to agreed objectives, which should facilitate achievement of key responsibilities in accordance with the performance of the review process.