Policy & Advocacy Manager - Syria INGO Regional Forum (SIRF) - Based in Jordan
Description
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. We know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have a long-term impact.
Background & Overview of SIRF
In light of the regional nature of the Syrian Crisis and its humanitarian and political effects on neighboring countries, the Syrian INGO Regional Forum (SIRF) was formed in April 2013 to give voice to INGOs conducting humanitarian responses. Since then, SIRF has established itself as a key INGO representation platform for the Syria Crisis, with over 70 INGO members and observers, overseen by a board of 6 INGO Country Directors. SIRF is the only regional international NGO body dedicated to the Syria crisis, encompassing Syria and neighboring Syrian refugee-hosting countries, and working closely with different NGO coordination platforms in the region, including Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, and the hub level forums for Syria operations.
SIRF is a key permanent member of the most senior technical and strategic decision-making bodies of the Regional Refugee & Resilience Plan (3RP) and the ‘Whole-of-Syria’ Responses. Supported by its Policy & Advocacy Working Group (PAWG) and Durable Solutions Working Group (DSWG), and in line with its agreed strategy, SIRF focuses on advocacy opportunities to influence international bodies, the UN, and donors for principled and effective humanitarian assistance in the region. SIRF’s four main workstreams are:
- Promoting humanitarian diplomacy by engaging with regional bodies, the donor & diplomatic community, UN agencies, humanitarian leadership, and ad hoc coordination mechanisms within the humanitarian and development ecosystem.
- Leading and representing INGOs within regional strategic and technical coordination mechanisms and external events.
- Informing members of advocacy and policy influencing opportunities and developing advocacy and policy products.
- Facilitating the exchange and coordination of information on humanitarian assistance in Syria and neighboring countries.
General Position Summary
The Policy and Advocacy Manager will be responsible for coordinating the advocacy, communications, and policy work of SIRF in coordination with the SIRF Policy and Advocacy Working Group. This includes working closely with the PAWG co-chairs and members, as well as NGO forum in the Syria response hubs and neighboring countries in the region, to lead advocacy efforts on priority issues. The Policy and Advocacy Manager will proactively identify opportunities and lead initiatives to use the collective voice of NGOs to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, accountability, and transparency of humanitarian operations across the region.
The role will work closely with the SIRF Representative, who will lead overall SIRF strategy roll-out and external representation, with a particular focus on strategic coordination across the Whole of Syria architecture and 3RP.
Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of the role include, in addition to other tasks that may be required:
Policy & Advocacy Strategy & Coordination:
- Act as the primary day-to-day focal point for advocacy and policy work within SIRF, working closely with the Policy & Advocacy Working Group (PAWG) co-chairs and supporting members in coordinated advocacy work for the Syria crisis.
- Work with the SIRF Representative and PAWG co-chairs to develop and maintain a SIRF policy & advocacy strategy, priorities, and work plan, and provide regular updates to the SIRF board and members on implementation.
- Support the PAWG co-chairs in the running and administration of the PAWG, including agenda setting, managing meetings, and providing secretariat functions.
- Oversee and, where required, develop tools in support of coordinated policy and advocacy work that may include stakeholder maps, dissemination plans, impact monitoring, and advocacy calendars.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with advocacy, policy, and other stakeholders within regional and global NGO Forums (including ICVA, InterAction, and NGO Forums in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, and Libya) and within NGO member agencies.
- Work with ICVA and InterAction as the SIRF advocacy and policy focal point to support global joint-NGO advocacy initiatives.
Advocacy Products and Events:
- Act as the primary advocacy focal point for supporting key Syria crisis-related advocacy events, including the Syria Brussels Conference, Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), European Humanitarian Forum (EHF), and other regional or global events.
- Lead the development and sign-off process for advocacy and communication briefing letters, reports, talking points, and products.
- Actively identify opportunities for strengthening advocacy on the Syria crisis and regional/global initiatives through coordinated SIRF advocacy.
- Work closely with the OCHA Regional Office for the Syria Crisis (ROSC) and other UN entities to strengthen joint UN-NGO advocacy and policy work across the humanitarian system.
Communications Coordination:
- Manage communications with SIRF members, developing effective ways of efficient information flow, which may include regular emails, newsletters, online document repositories, Skype groups, etc.
- Support coordination of communications initiatives, including through support to the Communications Working Group where relevant.
- Manage contact, membership, and distribution lists across SIRF members and external stakeholders, including running an annual member registration process.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: SIRF Representative
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
- Minimum five years of relevant professional experience within the humanitarian, development, human rights, foreign policy, or similar field.
- Documented experience with humanitarian advocacy and the production of written materials (i.e., reports, briefing notes, position papers, talking points, and key messages).
- Documented experience with relevant thematic areas (displacement, durable solutions, protection, food security, etc.).
- Ability to work with a wide range of actors.
- Experience in moderating and facilitating large meetings.
- Documented/proven results related to other key elements of the position’s responsibilities.
- Strong understanding of the international humanitarian system, policy, and practice.
- Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile.
- Representation and public speaking experience are an asset.
- Fluent in both written and spoken English.
Desirable Requirements:
- Previous humanitarian experience in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, or Turkey.
- An understanding of the ‘Whole of Syria’ coordination model.
- Previous experience working for an NGO Forum or coordination body.
- Existing relationships with relevant advocacy, policy, media, and/or coordination stakeholders in the humanitarian system.
- A post-graduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
- Working knowledge of Arabic is a significant advantage.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Amman, Jordan with individual accommodation and unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. Team members will have access to medical, electricity, and water services.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs, and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status, or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to Mercy Corps' Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.