Job Description

Job title / Policy and Advocacy Adviser (Fixed Term)
Job band / SAME / Ref
Department / Humanitarian Policy /
Division
/ International
Reporting to / Head of Department / Location / UK Office
Duration / Fixed term – 5.5 months /
Last updated
/ July 2015

Scale and Scope

Direct / Indirect/overall
Budgetary / Under £50,000
Staffing / None / Advisory support to field based advisers
Assets / None
Accountability & Decision Making /   Accountable for the delivery of quality policy and advisory services to increase the influence of BRC and the wider Movement
  Accountable for ensuring that all advice is compliant with legislation, regulations, internal and external policies, standards and best practice.
Reach & Impact /   Enabling improvements and innovation in programme practice within the Movement through drawing in learning from external stakeholders
  Raising attention externally to specific crises and important needs and issues
  Promoting understanding and expanding the influence of the Movement in specific areas

Context

The British Red Cross (BRC) helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives.

We are part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the world’s largest independent humanitarian network and are committed to, and bound by, its fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

The Humanitarian Policy (HP) team is made up of a small and dynamic group of advisers in BRC’s International Division who are tasked with ensuring high quality policy and advocacy that enables improved humanitarian outcomes. Our work currently focuses on a range of issues directly relevant to the work of the Movement:

·  Fundamental Principles / Humanitarian Principles

·  Silent and complex emergencies

·  Civil-Military relations

·  National humanitarian action

·  Trends in humanitarian action and their implications for the Movement

·  Red Cross Movement policy support and Movement relations

The final six months of 2015 is a significant period for the HP team as we have a number of important commitments at a time of change within the team due to a re-organisation aimed at growing BRC’s international policy and advocacy.

Overall Purpose of the Post

  Develop and initiate policy and advocacy strategies on silent and complex emergencies

  Develop and undertake advocacy and external engagement on Fundamental Principles for the 50th anniversary

  Support the development of a long-term strategy on principled humanitarian action

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Provide policy and advocacy support to BRC’s work on silent and complex emergencies. This includes the development of a strong influencing strategy, provision of policy analysis on specific areas identified in the strategy and to undertake at least one initiative in support of the strategy;

Provide policy and advocacy support on Fundamental Principles. This includes the development and delivery of a range of policy and advocacy activities aimed at promoting the Fundamental Principles externally around their 50th anniversary in October 2015;

Assist in the development of a new strategy on principled humanitarian action, which will guide BRC’s work on Fundamental Principles and Civil Military affairs

Support BRC efforts to influence policy decision-makers and help develop public policy positions to inform the communications and advocacy activities of BRC. This involves working closely with policy, public affairs and communications officers across BRC to develop a coherent and consistent approach to BRC policy and advocacy work.

Undertake other appropriate duties and tasks assigned by the Head of Humanitarian Policy Department and uphold the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and work within the Society’s equal opportunities policy.

Process

This is a fixed term position of 5.5 months to commence as soon as possible, and by 1 September 2015 at the latest. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 4, August 2015 and interviews are planned for 11 August 2015. However, due to the need to fill the position as soon as possible, BRC may interview applicants before the advertised closing date if suitable applications are received.

Person Specification

Job Title: Policy and Advocacy Adviser (Fixed term) Ref: Band: SAME

Education/ Training

/ Degree level or higher in Humanitarian Assistance, Development Studies, International Relations or other relevant subject **

Experience

/ Demonstrable overseas field experience in a humanitarian or influencing role **
Significant experience of humanitarian advocacy, representation and communications with evidence of impact or influencing policy makers **
Experience of undertaking policy or advocacy on one or more of BRC’s priority policy issues **
Significant experience of managing or coordinating projects, including proven experience of working successfully and independently to objectives and deadlines**
Experience of working with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (desirable)

Knowledge/ Technical Skills

/ Good knowledge of current humanitarian policy issues and the international humanitarian context **
Strong understanding of policy processes and of decision-making in the UK and internationally
Excellent communication skills - ability to communicate complex ideas and messages to diverse audiences, orally and in writing
Good analytical skills, both quantitative and qualitative

Personal skills

/ Good representational, influencing and networking skills
Good team player with abilities to manage and support projects across multiple teams
Ability to work independently and deliver to tight timelines

Competencies

/ Working in Partnership*
Embracing and leading constructive change*
Communicating and influencing*
Personal impact and self-management*
Problem solving*
Leading and engaging*
Developing yourself and others*
** Cultural awareness and sensitivity.

Special Circumstances

/ Willingness to work out of office hours when necessary
Able to travel/flexible regarding working conditions
BRC Job Description Technical Adviser / 4