Advocacy Officer

Post Title:Advocacy Officer

Location:Nairobi, Kenya

Hours:Full-time

Contract:Fixed term for 2 years

Starting date of training and preparation period in Europe:1st of October 2015

Starting date in Nairobi:1st of January 2016

As a part of the German Civil Peace Service Professional program, this post is only open to citizens of one of the member States of the European Union (or Switzerland) and people who are 30 years of age or older. Please note that due to security considerations it is a PBI policy that no nationals are eligible to apply for in-country positions.

Background

Peace Brigades International (PBI) is an international non-governmental organization that has promoted non-violence and protected human rights defenders since 1981. In response to the needs of human rights defenders, we provide unarmed protective accompaniment and other support on the ground through trained field volunteers and a broad network of international support. Protective accompaniment deters attacks against human rights defenders by sending a powerful message that the world is watching and prepared to act. Integral to PBI’s protection strategy are political support networks set up and activated by 12 country groups in North America and South America, Europe, and Australia, who are also responsible for volunteer recruitment, outreach, publicity and fundraising. PBI is an independent, egalitarian, volunteer-based organization not affiliated to any religious or political institution.
Upon request, PBI established a new project in Kenya in 2013 to provide protection and support to human rights defenders (HRDs). In 2015, a small PBI field team provides support to grassroots HRDs in Nairobi.

Purpose of the Advocacy Officer role

PBI is seeking to recruit a suitably qualified Advocacy Officer to lead in the implementation of PBI Kenya’s out-reach advocacy strategy in conjunction with the In-Country Coordinator, a small team of international field volunteers, the Out of Country Coordinator and the project committee members. The Advocacy Officer will play a key role in proactively engaging with PBI Kenya’s key stakeholders and main actors locally and internationally, to raise their capacity to defend human rights.

Main duties, tasks and responsibilities

1. Management of the development, implementation and review of PBI Kenya’s advocacy strategy

· Work with the team and In-Country Coordinator to nurture and maintain PBI Kenya’s relationship with key stakeholders and actors in Kenya, including government, security forces and diplomatic contacts

· Together with the In-Country Coordinator, lead on building up an international support network for PBI Kenya, coordinating with PBI Country Groups and staff in Brussels, Geneva and Washington DC to identify opportunities and mechanisms for international advocacy

· Support the team and In-Country Coordinator’s efforts to track the political, human rights and social justice situation in Kenya; facilitate the analysis of information gathered by the Field Team and others in order to identify emerging political and human rights trends; ensure that PBI Kenya’s communication and advocacy efforts reflect its strategic analysis

· Coordinate production of PBI Kenya’s regular advocacy circulars, website content and other communication materials, both internal and external to PBI

· Lead on the planning, monitoring and evaluation of PBI Kenya’s advocacy strategy

· Deliver training and other capacity building measures to human rights defenders and other stakeholders

2. Facilitation of PBI Kenya’s cooperation with international lawyers’ networks to support human rights work in Kenya

· In collaboration with the team, In-Country Coordinator and PBI UK devise a training programme run by international lawyers’ networks geared towards capacity building of prosecutors and activists and oversee its delivery

· Lead on identifying opportunities for the facilitation of international support for strategic litigation carried out by local human rights defenders

3. Team work

· Work as part of a multi cultural team

· Actively contribute to the maintenance of proactive communication mechanisms within the volunteer team including attendance at team meetings, providing input to team decisions, strategy planning, security protocols and political analysis

· Undertake to work in a non-hierarchical group that makes decisions by consensus

· Assist the Project coordinators with funding proposal writing as it relates to advocacy

· Assist the Project coordinators with other project managements tasks, when necessary

Person specification

Essential:

Knowledge/Experience

Advocacy experience or possession of closely matched transferrable skills.

At least two years experience in work related to human rights, peace, and nonviolent conflict transformation work and/or other related NGO work.

Knowledge of the Kenyan human rights situation and the socio-political context /background in Kenya and/or across Africa.

Understanding of PBI's mandate and non-partisanship.

Awareness of consensus decision making.

Skills

Effective interpersonal and communication skills.

Excellent spoken and written English.

Competent in the use of Microsoft packages including Word, Excel and Powerpoint and use of the internet.

Abilities

Ability to communicate effectively and create relationships with very different targets and audiences.

Ability to make decisions in a complex environment and react to a change in priorities.

Desirable:

Conflict resolution skills.

Knowledge about the German Civil Peace Service.

A legal qualification.

What will PBI provide?

Travel to and from Kenya at beginning and end of service and where necessary

Modest salary, depending on work experience

2 – 3 months individualized preparation and training in Europe, tailored according to the employee’s individual skills and experience and the specific needs of the position

Coaching during service

Health and liability insurance

Extensive social and security benefits for employee and eventually his/her family members

Repatriation package

Debriefing and support with reintegration after service

PBI values diversity and has a strong commitment to equality of opportunity. All applicants will be treated on equal terms, without discrimination on any grounds, and especially for reasons of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or physical disability.

HOW TO APPLY:

****Interested candidates are requested to send their CV and a brief personal statement to Marie Becher at:****marie.becher@pbi-deutschland.deClosing date : 15th July 2015

The personal statement should explain how you meet the essential and desirable criteria listed in the person specification, providing clear examples that demonstrate each point. You should write no more than 2000 words in total.

Applicants who do not provide this information will not be considered.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by Skype during the week starting Monday 20th July.

Please note that we are unable to respond to applicants who have not been shortlisted.