Policy Advisor; Conflict and Gender Job in Kenya

Policy Advisor - Conflict and Gender

Division / Department / Location: Nairobi (C2)   
Job Family: Policy & Campaigns

Salary:  GBP    20,619 - 27,642   
Level: C2

Oxfam Purpose: To work with others to find lasting solutions to poverty and suffering

Team Purpose:  To provide advocacy, lobby, campaigning, media and policy analysis to country teams and at a regional level in the Horn, East and Central Africa (HECA).

Job Purpose: To provide high quality policy work, research and technical support to the new Oxfam campaign on conflict, insecurity and gender across the HECA region.

Reporting Lines:

Post holder reports to:
Regional Humanitarian Campaigns and Policy Advisor.

Staff reporting to this post:
None. Occasionally interns / consultants.

Budget Responsibility: No

Background 

Oxfam is one of the world's leading humanitarian agencies assisting people affected by natural disasters and conflict throughout the world. 

With over 5,000 staff and dedicated volunteers in more than 80 countries, Oxfam is able to achieve the greatest impact to end poverty and suffering through combining emergency response work, long-term programmes for poverty alleviation and campaigning for lasting change. 

The Horn, East, and Central Africa (HECA) Region is the largest region within Oxfam, covering 8 countries, including Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda. 

The Regional Centre is based in Nairobi and is mandated to provide leadership and support to the Oxfam country programmes in delivering their strategies within the context of programme quality, and efficiency. 

The role

• Lead on the development of policy and trends analysis on livelihoods, insecurity and gender issues focusing on the four priority countries
• Delivery of high quality research focusing on livelihoods and security (within a gendered perspective) across the four priority countries.
• Conduct policy analysis and lead in the development of advocacy strategies for EAC and IGAD for Oxfam with particular reference to peace and security institutions.
• Provide policy support to Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and DRC as the Rights in Crisis priority countries.
• Provide leadership in monitoring cross country learning’s including best practice and research opportunities and organisation of regional learning sessions.
• Provide a strategic link between country, regional, continental and global work on livelihoods and security issues ensuring gender is well mainstreamed.
• Input into country strategy reviews and help with monitoring and evaluation processes and regional documentation of knowledge related to RIC
• Lead in development of policy positions, policy briefs and reports for use for advocacy and influence

Dimensions:

• Ability to conduct in depth research across varying contexts
• Knowledge and experience of research methodology
• Technical knowledge of the latest trends on conflict, insecurity and gender across the region
• Knowledge and expertise of conflict contexts
• Knowledge and technical understanding of the impact of conflict and insecurity on gender
• Analyse, interpret and act on complex information from varied and diverse sources.
• Application of expert knowledge of internal and external environment
• Ability to work to short deadlines and ability to react and respond to changing environments
• Ability to understand complex contexts and especially HECA  region

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead on the development of policy and trends analysis on livelihoods, insecurity and gender issues focusing on the four priority countries
• Delivery of high quality research focusing on livelihoods and security (within a gendered perspective) across the four priority countries.
• Conduct policy analysis and lead in the development of advocacy strategies for EAC and IGAD for Oxfam with particular reference to peace and security institutions.
• Provide policy support to Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and DRC as the Rights in Crisis priority countries.
• Provide leadership in monitoring cross country learning’s including best practice and research opportunities and organisation of regional learning sessions .
• Provide a strategic link between country, regional, continental and global work on livelihoods and security issues ensuring gender is well mainstreamed.
• Input into country strategy reviews and help with monitoring and evaluation processes and regional documentation of knowledge related to RIC
• Lead in development of policy positions, policy briefs and reports for use for advocacy and influence
• Manage country coordination
• When appropriate support advocacy training at country or regional level

The Person

• Excellent analytical and critical thinking ability and experience of high-level lobby
• Good understanding of security and development debates and theories as well as a good understanding of gender dimensions to security and livelihoods.
• Strong track record of research
• Experience working in the region on similar work and good  understanding of HECA region
• Strong skills in  policy analysis, trends and research  especially related to security, livelihoods and gender
• Good project management skills with  a track record of M&E work and documentation of knowledge
• Track record of high performance and ability to deliver in high pressure environments
• Understanding of gender in development and in conflict
• Experience of working with UN agencies, government bodies and  ability to build coalitions and gain consensus
• Willing to travel for 50% of the year

Skills And Competence: 

Essential

• Previous project management experience
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking ability and experience of high-level lobby
• Good understanding of security and development debates and theories as well as a good understanding of gender dimensions to security and livelihoods.
• Strong track record of research
• Experience working in the region on similar work and good  understanding of HECA region
• Strong skills in  policy analysis, trends and research  especially related to security, livelihoods and gender
• Good project management skills
• Track record of M&E work and documentation of knowledge
• Track record of high performance and ability to deliver in high pressure environments
• Understanding of gender in development and in conflict
• Experience of working with UN agencies, government bodies and  ability to build coalitions and gain consensus
• Strong interpersonal skills including good team work
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to motivate, influence and negotiate both internally and externally, strong English skills.
• Sympathy with the aim of Oxfam to end poverty and suffering.
• Knowledge of humanitarian and development programming

Desirable

• Experience of capacity building and working effectively with civil society in African contexts (D)
• French written and verbal skills
• Research experience within East Africa
• Understanding of Regional and sub-regional Economic Communities (RECs)

Other: 

This Job description is not incorporated into the employment contract. 

It is intended as a guide and should be viewed as a flexible specification as it may be varied from time to time in the light of strategic developments following discussions with the post holder. 

The post holder will be expected to work to agreed objectives, which should facilitate achievements of the key responsibilities in accordance with the Performance Review Process.
Date of issue:     June   2012

This is a highly challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional, with a strong commitment to Oxfam's values and beliefs.  

If you believe you are the candidate we are looking for, please submit your application and CV including a day time contact by applying online at www.oxfam.org.uk/jobs using INT 5544. 

The closing date is:   27th July 2012.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.