Mercy Corps Director of Policy and Advocacy Jobs in Kenya
Mercy Corps Director of Policy and Advocacy Jobs in Kenya
About Mercy CorpsMercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.
Mercy Corps began working in Kenya in 2008 to address the societal wounds following the 2007 post-election violence.
Since that time, Mercy Corps has built a robust and diverse portfolio in Kenya that is working to address structural causes of poverty and injustice and to strengthen systems that enable men, women and children to access opportunities, participate in and contribute to peaceful democratic processes, and thrive in the face of ecological and social change.
To do this, we deliver integrated programming to strengthen market and governance systems, address the root causes of conflict, and equip vulnerable populations- in particular youth, women, adolescents and marginalized social groups- with the skills, opportunities and resources they need to be healthy, productive and to drive the development of their communities.
We work closely with the private sector, civil society and governance structures at local and national levels to facilitate change and ensure that opportunities are inclusive of all Kenyans.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps seeks to implement a multi-year, 12 million GBP program funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF).
Building Resilience in Civil Society (BRICS II) will engage local and national government, local civil society organizations and communities to mitigate the drivers, enablers and narratives of violent extremism in East Africa through support to policy initiatives, community engagement, and support to national civil society organizations in order to prevent the recruitment of vulnerable individuals by violent extremist organizations.
The program will work primarily in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uganda, through strategies adapted to the context and opportunities in each country to advance research, legislation and field implementation of activities.
General Position Summary
The Director of Policy and Advocacy will be responsible for leading policy influencing initiatives across the 5 target countries.
S/he will conduct a deep political and policy analysis for each country to understand the policy framework relevant to P/CVE and related issues, identify potential policy changes that could support a more holistic and comprehensive approach to P/CVE, and will support policy makers with resources and technical guidance to support the policy process.
S/he will engage closely with policy-makers across the 5 target countries at different levels to support policy and legislative reforms, and will build the capacity of civil society actors within the target countries to undertake advocacy and policy engagement.
S/he will drive the policy and advocacy strategy for the programs, linking policy initiatives to the overall strategic framework and theory of change of the program.
The Director of Policy and Advocacy will be a key member of the program management team, and will work with other technical sector leads to ensure that community-level interventions, government policies, and research are delivered in a complementary and mutually-reinforcing way to achieve maximum impact.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy and Vision
Lead development of the program's policy and advocacy strategy by leading a deep political and policy assessment of each target country and identifying key legislative and policy interventions that could strengthen the government's capacity to prevent and respond to VE at the local and national level.
Contribute to shaping the project's research and influencing agenda, working with the Research Lead to integrate and advance research, learning and advocacy in order to deepen the contextual understanding of VE drivers in the target countries and effective strategies to prevent the recruitment of vulnerable individuals into violent extremist organizations.
Stay abreast of the policy and political environment and emerging challenges, and be ready to engage with policymakers in each context to represent the program's recommendations on how to
tackle evolving dynamics. Ensure that team members in the region are on message with our vision and position.
Policy and Representation Work
Provide leadership and strategic vision to the policy team including work plan development, partnership selection and management, and stakeholder engagement around policy and advocacy issues.
Represent the program in advancing policy issues related to CVE and violence mitigation and prevention including by building strategic partnerships, holding influencing meetings with government and other stakeholders, and by presenting policy and research at external events.
Build a network in each of the target countries and establish and maintain strategic relationships with relevant local and international stakeholders, to continually inform, challenge, and improve Mercy Corps' advocacy, strategy, and program development.
Engage stakeholders at the community level to inform advocacy action planning, ensuring that program strategies and policy advocacy are driven by and aligned with community priorities.
Team Management
Lead in the structuring of partner roles and responsibilities for policy and advocacy work, oversee their activities and provide continuous technical support and capacity building as required.
Build a network of local organizations to engage on policy initiatives at the sub-national and County level.
Accountability
Reports Directly To:
Team Lead
Knowledge and Experience
Master's degree in Peace Building and Conflict Resolution or related discipline.
At least 5 years experience working on countering violent extremism programming, conflict mitigation and resolution, and/or violence reduction and prevention programs.
Demonstrated experience working to influence local and national government policies to promote peace-building and development outcomes.
Solutions-oriented individual, with strong strategic thinking capabilities.
Demonstrated effectiveness managing a diverse team of staff, consortium partners and local implementing partners, building a cohesive and results-oriented team to deliver on complex programming result.
Experience working with a diverse range of community members to discuss sensitive and delicate topics in a conflict-sensitive manner.
Excellent writing and reporting skills.
Excellent verbal and inter-personal communications skills.
Demonstrated sensitivity, skill, and experience working within different cultural settings and navigating public affairs and communications on sensitive issues.
Success Factors
The successful candidate will have strong policy influencing skills as demonstrated by the ability to analyze complex issues and work with a diverse group of policy makers to craft policy solutions to achieve program objectives related to security, violence preventions and vulnerable groups.
S/he will demonstrate strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps. S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid decisions while working remotely from country leadership.
Master's degree in Peace Building and Conflict Resolution or related discipline.
At least 5 years experience working on countering violent extremism programming, conflict mitigation and resolution, and/or violence reduction and prevention programs.
Demonstrated experience working to influence local and national government policies to promote peace-building and development outcomes.
Solutions-oriented individual, with strong strategic thinking capabilities.
Demonstrated effectiveness managing a diverse team of staff, consortium partners and local implementing partners, building a cohesive and results-oriented team to deliver on complex programming result.
Experience working with a diverse range of community members to discuss sensitive and delicate topics in a conflict-sensitive manner.
Excellent writing and reporting skills.
Excellent verbal and inter-personal communications skills.
Demonstrated sensitivity, skill, and experience working within different cultural settings and navigating public affairs and communications on sensitive issues.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online by 21st January, 2019
For more information and job application details, see; Mercy Corps Director of Policy and Advocacy Jobs in Kenya
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