PlayMatters Policy and Advocacy Advisor - (Re-advertising)

Job Description

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. 

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years, and are now active in more than 75 countries.

ROLE PURPOSE

Plan International Ethiopia is looking for a Policy and Advocacy Advisor for five-year project called “PlayMatters” as well as one Year project called “PlayMatters Emergency Response”, funded by the LEGO Foundation. This position will be a part of the larger PlayMatters initiative, led by the PMs Project Lead, aimed at increasing play-based learning opportunities for nearly 1 million pre-primary and primary school aged refugee and host community children impacted by the humanitarian crises in East Africa and living in Ethiopia and Uganda.  This project seeks to build children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative skills through play in their homes, schools, and communities and will be implemented in partnership with War Child, Plan International, Ubongo, Behavioural Insights Team and Innovations for Poverty Action.

The PlayMatters Policy and Advocacy Advisor will lead the development and implementation of policy and advocacy work related to the PlayMatters (PMs) Project. The staff member will lead coordination on policy and advocacy work across at the national level and across implementation regions within the PMs Project. In addition, they will identify and ensure strong representation with external fora.

The post-holder will be based in Addis Ababa yet will be expected to ravel to the project locations in Gameblla, Afar and Assosa for approximately 50% of the time.

Accountabilities

Lead the PMs Project Advocacy endeavour with high quality and results-oriented planning, implementation and reporting as well as in compliance with the PMs project. Therefore, a strong understanding of tan established relationship with education government and internationals actors, such as MOE, RRs, UNHCR, UNICEF, etc is essential.

Expected Outcomes:

• In collaboration with the PMs Project lead, overall technical responsibility for the development and implementation of the LEGO Play Matters project outcome 3 – System actors engagement
• Ensure all policy and advocacy work and products have a clear focus on addressing the specific needs of young girls, adolescent girls and young women.
• Develop an appropriate policy and advocacy strategy together with the country office technical leads
• Develop steps and procedures in the planning and implementation of the projects policy and advocacy work and products
• Identify and represent the PMs project within key external fora, and through developing, maintaining, and leveraging relationships as deemed strategic (AU, UN, Clusters, HCT, Government, Donors, Peer agencies).
• Ensure integration of the PMs project in applicable regional, national and international level legal and policy frameworks applicable to the PMs project
• Support operational research and subsequent writing of influencing papers, including policy briefs, op-eds, and internal briefing notes and talking points.  
• Ensure advocacy strategies in education and gender equality as well as women’s empowerment are responsive to the context, implemented consistently across all project activities, and adhere to best practices in the sector. 

Synergy, Communication and Coordination: Foster and maintain productive and professional relationships with and between all project stakeholders, particularly with government bodies.

Expected Outcomes:

• Lead in preparation of any media briefing, statements or talking points
• In collaboration with the PMs Project lead foster strong coordination and collaboration with government bodies through open and transparent communication, participation and joint decision-making, and respect for their agency and technical expertise.
• In collaboration with the Technical leads, ensure best practices and lessons learned are documented, shared, and integrated into programming for Advocacy work
• Produce high level communication materials to be used at government, INGOs and donor level for advocacy
• Work with program staff and technical advisors to identify the technical support needs of the project visibility and ensure this support is provided,
• National Project Steering Committee, Regional Technical Advisory Committee, and Project Management Team meetings are organized and facilitated as per the project work plan

Gender Equalty and PSHEA

• Understanding and demonstrated commitment to the importance of gender, youth and social inclusion issues
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of Gender Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and PSEAH (safeguarding), as evidenced in previous positions / programming

Key Relationships

The PMs Project Advocacy in collaboration with the PMs Project Lead will be responsible for ensuring the productive and functional relationships with implementing partners, government departments, beneficiaries and stakeholders, IRC Ethiopia office, and the wider Plan International Ethiopia and Plan International Denmark teams. 

Job Requirement

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Skills and Knowledge

• Academic Qualification BA/MA in Public or International Relations, or other relevant discipline.
• Proven experience (minimum 10 years for BA & 7 years for MA) in developing and implementing advocacy strategies through a variety of means, such as traditional, digital, and social media, and/or storytelling
• Experience in developing policy positions and tailored advocacy messages in humanitarian crises.
• Substantive knowledge and experience in gender and emergencies.
• Knowledge of key National, Regional, and International legal and policy frameworks that may be applicable for use in policy documents.
• Experience in developing and implementing a strategic advocacy plan to promote and achieve identified policy priorities using behavioral and social change communication, including audience segmentation and social mobilization
• Knowledge of potential entry points in humanitarian contexts for advocacy at all levels and on a variety of issues that will likely be relevant to girls in emergencies.
• Experience building and maintaining strategic relationships and of representation with a wide range of external stakeholders
• Working knowledge of Child Protection and Education in Emergencies programming.
• Progressive experience working for INGOs in senior level.
• Familiarity with Lego Foundation guidelines and requirements.
• Ability to fully function in English (verbal and written) in essential. All donor reports, deliverables and communication will be in English.
• Proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet).
• Strong writing skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to think strategically in the short, medium, and long-term
• Skills in coordinating and facilitating advocacy implementation efforts by a large group of actors
• May be required, to work during late hours, weekends and holidays in order to ensure timely delivery of programmes.

Behaviours

• Passion for feminist principles, mission driven work and personal values aligned with Plan International.
• Commitment to working transparently and with integrity.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, natural ability to manage diverse opinions and agendas, finding win-win solutions in a respectful manner. 
• Demonstrated creativity and willingness to innovate.
• Flexible and adaptable work style to respond to an evolving context.
• Proven leadership, inter-personal and cross-cultural skills, and ability to build and motivate teams.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines.