International Director – Advocacy
Organisational Context:
The
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international non-governmental
organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the
rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organisation was
founded in November 1980 and has a presence in over 45 countries. JRS
undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support and
guidance of an international office in Rome. The style of JRS service
is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking
the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced people, while not
neglecting their immediate or urgent needs.
Operational Context:
The
International Director of Advocacy, based in the International Office
in Rome, reporting to the JRS International Director is responsible for
developing JRS policy positions and leading the advocacy strategy for
the organisation. The Director of Advocacy, collaborates with and
travels to the regions, stimulates and facilitates communication on
common advocacy issues across regions and develops an annual advocacy
calendar in order to ensure the consistent representation of JRS’s
international advocacy. The Director of Advocacy also represents JRS at
advocacy meetings and conferences. He/she collaborates closely with both
the JRS International Directors of Communication and Development to
plan common initiatives and to provide advocacy content to JRS
communications and fundraising efforts. The Director of Advocacy is a
member of the JRS international team, supervising the advocacy
department. He/she collaborates closely with the JRS International
Advocacy Network, JRS Regional Advocacy Officers and other partner
agencies.
Location: Rome, Italy
Report to: JRS International Director
Responsibilities
Development and implementation of the JRS advocacy agenda:
- Develop JRS international policies and advocacy positions and ensure the implementation and monitoring of objectives.
- Organise technical support for JRS' international advocacy agenda for members of the JRS International Advocacy Network in Geneva, Washington, Rome and Brussels as well as in the ten JRS regions.
- Collaborate with the International Advocacy Network in a consistent and well-articulated communication of refugee protection concerns to governments, UNHCR and other decision-making bodies.
- Guide the International Director in management decisions involving the International Advocacy Network.
- Provide strategic support to regions regarding their annual advocacy plans and their contribution to achieving JRS' international advocacy goals.
- Ensure consistency between the regional advocacy plans and positions with the JRS International Advocacy Network.
Policy and Strategy:
- Identify the global advocacy priorities and themes and create an overall annual advocacy strategy.
- Guide regional advocacy officers in policy positions drafting and contribute to their dissemination.
- Draft international policy positions on refugee-related matters.
Communications and Development:
- Work closely with the Director of Communications to plan and develop advocacy content for JRS publications and with the Director of Development to support fundraising for JRS projects.
- Collaborate with the Director of Communications and the Regional Advocacy and Communications Officers in JRS' use of mass media for advocacy purposes as proposed in the regional advocacy plans.
Advocacy training of JRS advocacy staff:
- Lead and coordinate the agenda for the International Advocacy meeting (every two years).
- Provide general orientation on advocacy to new Regional Directors and JRS staff in order to enhance their knowledge of advocacy, human rights issues, refugee law and IDP principles, and basic advocacy skills.
- Engage in on-going staff training and the development of staff training materials as required.
Networking and alliances:
- Represent JRS in international campaigns and co-ordinate JRS' participation in campaigns.
- Identify and pursue along with the International Advocacy Network the need for other international advocacy initiatives (either targeted initiatives or structured programs) and to initiate their development.
- Create links with human rights organisations and to report human rights concerns raised by JRS field personnel to human rights agencies, namely Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.
Qualifications:
- Enthusiasm for the faith-based mission of JRS and willingness to advocate based on the JRS mission and vision.
- Strong organizational skills, ability to think strategically and execute tactically; a self-starter with an eye for impact.
- A team-oriented approach with the ability to lead and participate as a member of teams demonstrating effective advocacy, consensus building and leadership.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
- A seasoned track record in advancing issues through communications, policy, and partnership building; ability to develop and deliver high impact messages and content, specifically tailored for international humanitarian community.
- Strong spoken, written and presentational skills in English.
- Working knowledge in French, Arabic, Spanish or Italian is highly desirable.
- Ability and experience in driving change in complex environments where JRS operates across divergent continents, cultures, and religions.
- Ability to lead and indirectly supervise regional advocacy staff, through example and cooperation is essential.
- Willingness to work and travel to refugee settings in challenging environments.
The
above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed
as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working
conditions associated with this job.
Conditions:
Contract is
for two years, renewable with an initial probationary period of six
months. The JRS remuneration policy is aligned with the JRS ethos to
offer effective and professional services and at the same time express
solidarity with the people served. The salary is calculated with the use
of a post-adjustment multiplier and takes into account years of
relevant experience and degree of responsibility of the role. Details
will be discussed with short-listed candidates.
Non-European
Union nationals must be in possession of an Italian work visa and right
of abode in Italy. Applicants will not be considered unless they meet
this requirement.
All applicants are requested to submit the following documents through the online form below:
- 1 Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English including three
- (3) professional references with their contact information, phone and email address.
- A cover letter describing ways in which the applicant has been able to
deliver real, tangible changes through prior work in global advocacy
issues. The cover letter should also include examples of how the
applicant has designed an influencing strategy using a variety of
advocacy approaches.
Only qualified candidates should apply and only those who have been shortlisted will be contacted.
Closing Date: 27 Apr 2016
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