Director Advocacy and External Engagements

PURPOSE OF POSITION:
The Advocacy and External Engagement Director will develop, lead and direct the implementation of the World Vision Somalia (WV Som) Advocacy Strategy and position WV Somalia as thought leader in humanitarian, recovery and development work. The Manager will ensure that the Somalia National Office and broader WV Partnership, advocate appropriately and professionally on behalf of Somali children, demonstrating WV’s Principled Level Choices and Humanitarian Principles. The Director will lead in developing and implementing public policy strategies and on-going advocacy, bi-laterally and together with external partners, to reflect and support World Vision programs in Somalia. This advocacy will include urgently responding to crises within Somalia, including Complex Humanitarian Emergencies, and political, economic and environmental crises. To succeed, the candidate must be able to effectively communicate World Vision’s Christian ethos and demonstrate a quality of spiritual life that serves as an example to others.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Ensure that advocacy is implemented effectively as a ministry area and is integrated across the National Office and World Vision Partnership:

· Develop and disseminate advocacy strategy to WVI Advocacy colleagues and other relevant stakeholders.

· Integrate strategy within all of WV Som’s departments and ensure that advocacy messages are aligned within programs/sectors and communications messaging.

· Develop and maintain strong relationships with Program Departments and assure that there is continuous exchange of information and common understanding of Advocacy and Justice for Children.

· Lead the development of policy papers and briefings on key issues as required; when appropriate collaborate with NGO partners, WV Som technical advisors and WV Partnership colleagues.

· Collect and analyze relevant data on the changing dynamics of socio-politics, conflict and civil-military relations on a weekly basis from selected external and internal sources. Report the emerging trends, concerns and opportunities at least monthly, or more often as the situation requires.

· Manage the development of context analysis and dissemination to relevant stakeholders.

· Lead the pilot of the Health Campaign with support from Advocacy and Justice and for Children.

· Acts as focal point for liaising with World Vision’s East Africa Regional Advocacy Team, AU Liaison Unit, Global Centre, and Partnership Offices, to ensure coherence in and regularity of advocacy content, delivery, and dissemination.

Focal point for Somalia Advocacy externally & External Engagement:

· Focal point for all external engagement on advocacy and policy. Attend and proactively engage the Somalia NGO Consortium Steering Committee, Advocacy Working Group, IAWG Policy and Advocacy Working Group, and other relevant working groups and meetings.

· Build and manage strategic relations in Mogadishu, Somali regional levels and Nairobi with the Somali Government, UN, NGOs, donors and civil society.

· Provide support to the National Director in directly engaging the senior leaders of policymakers, donors, the UN and Civil Society Organizations operating in Somalia.

· Deputize for National Director at high level meetings at country, regional and global levels representing a unified WV Somalia voice.

· Alternate for National Director on Somalia Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), actively participating and voicing WV Som’s input in the discussions.

· Represent WV Somalia at national and international high level events.

· Drive external engagement for the office through networking, building relationships and fostering new alliances and networks.

· Actively participate in external coordination meetings to both gather intelligence and ensure WV Somalia has a leading voice at the table.

Leadership:

· Provide management of and leadership for Liaison Coordinator based in Mogadishu.

· Use WV Performance Management to guide Liaison Coordinator for professional development in the areas of Do No Harm, peace building, advocacy and context analysis.

· As member of WV Somalia Senior Leadership Team (SLT), provide leadership and strategic guidance on decisions affecting WV Somalia office.

Fundraising:

· Work with the PDQA Director and PDU Manager to strengthen current financial commitments and diversify funding sources for advocacy.

· Collect intelligence, creating linkages and relationships with key donors, UN, government and other stakeholders for fundraising.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

· Master’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, Linguistics, Public Relations, Human Rights, Development and/or Humanitarian Issues, or a related field.

· Minimum 5 years senior Advocacy experience in a fragile or hardship context.

· Excellent English written and verbal skills.

· Proven experience with public speaking and conveying key messages in a concise manner.

· Ability to influence others using diplomacy to bring about change.

· Experience in producing written materials for advocacy purposes including developing high level policy and papers.

· Understanding of conflict analysis or evidence-based policy analysis.

· Influential Advocate – seeks clarity on others’ views and takes a persuasive, principled stand on difficult issues.

· Strategic Thinker – identifies critical issues and leads effective long and short-term planning.

· Self Manager – understands personal strengths and weaknesses, capable of sometimes working with minimal daily management, and seeks coaching for growth and development.

· Team/Alliance Builder – Committed to transparent, respectful professional relationships, turning conflict into cooperation, setting and achieving goals, professional excellence, and accountability.

· Willingness to travel throughout Somalia with occasional international travel.

· Integrity and strong identification with World Vision’s Mission Statement and Core Values.

· Must be a committed Christian who is able to effectively address denominational, cultural, and religious, diversity challenges.

· Must have outstanding oral and written communications and relationship skills.

· Must be willing to perform other duties as required.

Preferred:

· Understanding the geopolitical, economic and social issues in Somalia and the Horn of Africa or experience working on fragile states.

Working Environment / Conditions:

· Nairobi based position with 35% travel to Mogadishu and other areas of Somalia.

· Occasional International travel.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested and qualified candidates should log on to http://careers.wvi.org/job-opportunities-in-kenya for detailed requirements, qualifications and instructions on how to submit your application.