Job Description

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

The Role

We are looking for Senior Programme Advocacy Officer to perform the follow responsibilities:

Programme Advocacy:

• In close collaboration with communities, local partners, CSOs, WROs and Oxfam program staff, identify the key global transformative objectives per each sector of intervention and define the adequate strategy and approaches to achieve these objectives.
• Contribute to the implementation of these sector transformative strategies either by leading or supporting program team.
• Promote new or influence existing national policies in the sectors related to Oxfam Country Strategy based on communities, CSOs and WROs claims.
• In liaison with Head of Advocacy and Humanitarian Policy Lead, provides advice and guidance on strategies and approaches for programme advocacy.
• Undertake or support programmes sectors’ outreach to politicians, officials and government advisers to build strong relationships within Yemen as well as key actors in the private sector, academia, research institutes and civil society.
• Monitor and take appropriate action on new and ongoing developments in Yemen that are relevant to Oxfam’s work and mission.
• Keeps up to date with internal or external activities which may shape role. Build a two-way learning relationship with programme teams on advocacy issues to help build collective advocacy understanding, capacity and action.
• Act as the lead trainer/coach in providing support to communities, CSOs, WROs, Oxfam programme and partner teams in developing advocacy skills, on a learning by doing approach.
• Prepare advocacy and information materials as required and requested.
• Provide regular contextual analysis updates/briefings, monitoring trends on women’s rights issues as well as civil society action and political context.
• When required, act as a key focal point for sectoral focus areas
• Lead on facilitation of programme advocacy workshops, strategy discussions and design of activities at field level.

Research, documentation and learning

• In conjunction with the programme team, develop research proposals and studies which can build evidence for programme development and advocacy
• Contribute to policy research – this includes overseeing the work of external consultancies (quality checking the process) or undertaking discrete pieces of research when required.
• Explore opportunities for joint research and advocacy with other LNGOs/INGOs/UN agencies
• Monitor influential research produced by key donors and think tank institutions relevant to Oxfam programme and provide timely written critiques, summaries and responses.
• Monitor activities of relevant influential actors, organisations and institutions and ensure they are considered and engaged where necessary in internal campaign decisions.
• Ensure documentation and learning of advocacy work.
• Work in close collaboration with the MEAL officer on key deliverables.
• Scoping, facilitating, and encouraging innovative approaches to programming informed by changing field realities.
• Liaise with Programmes sector leads and cluster focal points and ensure track of updates, meeting notes and action points especially related to advocacy.
• Perform any other tasks when required by the line manager.

Manage Oxfam GB’s and Partner’s risk:

• Be a proactive member of the advocacy and programme team, contributing to the overall development and implementation of Oxfam’s programme (operational and through partners) at the project level and at the strategic level.
• Provide regular, consistently high-quality reports on advocacy action/research undertaken.
• Be mindful of programme and advocacy risk areas including political sensitivities whilst demonstrating core humanitarian principles.
• Elaborate risk analysis for project transformative initiatives to prevent negative impact on Oxfam or our implementing partners, CSOs and WROs.

Communicating Oxfam’s work externally

• Facilitate and participate in meetings with the Government, line departments, district councils and civil society, ensuring that Oxfam’s work is known by key stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key policy think tanks, academic and research institutions in gender and governance; drawing in external expertise or develop partnership for Oxfam’s policy and advocacy work.
• Work with the Media/Communications officer on specific products, contacting and building a good network within local media.
• Provide support to field visits from Oxfam affiliate offices and other external stakeholders including government, donors and other NGOs as and when requested by the advocacy team or PM.

Ways of Working

• To promote the full & equal participation of women in all aspects of work and to ensure that Oxfam’s Programme contributes to community building rather than division.

Leadership

• When relevant, manage third party consultant developing media and communication materials for Oxfam in the Aden hub and support the media lead with administrative processes related to the completion of the consultancy.
• Ensure that safeguarding measures are respected when collecting testimonies directly, or when other programme team members are doing so.
• Perform any other tasks when required by the line manager.

Your commitment to Oxfam

• Required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values as well as the promotion of gender justice and women's rights
• Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles

What we are looking for

The ideal candidate should meet the following requirements:

Essential

• First degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (preferably a social development/politics/public policies degree or substantial community development experience.
• At least 2 years of direct experience in advocacy, policy or campaign work coordinating with different programme sectors including WASH, Gender, Protection, PHP/E.
• Strong, research and policy analysis skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to consistently work with a diverse range of stakeholders with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to coach and build capacity of staff and local partners
• Knowledge of Yemen in terms of its political, economic and social trends plus a good understanding of the key development issues in a fragile context.

In addition:

• Focus on overall impact of work rather on only department area of operations.
• Getting more familiar with the complex systems and environment.
• Working more and more with teams.

• Understanding and getting familiar with the cross-function’s linkage and coordination. At interview, shortlisted candidates will also be assessed on our values and organisational attributes, as outlined above.

Desirable:

• Previous knowledge and experience of promoting gender equity, and an active commitment to promoting the interests of marginalised people in all aspects of Oxfam GB’s work.
• Previous experience of gender, governance, or human rights issues

Organizational Values:

• Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions

• Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen

• Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

About us

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of international confederation of 21 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries. 

A thriving diverse Oxfam:

It’s people power that brings about change. To play our part as a global organisation working to overcome poverty and inequality, we need equality, diversity and inclusion across our community of staff, partners and volunteers. Together, we’re committed to becoming a more diverse workforce, better able to tackle the global challenges that face our world today.