occupied Palestinian territory: Advocacy & Communication Manager

ActionAid is an international organisation, working with over 25 million people in more than 40 countries for a world free from poverty and injustice. ActionAid Palestine is a part of the ActionAid International Federation and ActionAid Australia.

ActionAid is seeking a qualified person to fill the position of Advocacy & Communication Manager for 12 months period(extendable).

The post location is Palestine/**Hebron**.

Start Date: immediately.

The key responsibilities for this position will be as follows:

Role Overview:

The Advocacy and Communications Manager is responsible for the design and implementation of advocacy and communications programming for ActionAid Palestine (AAP), in accordance with AAP’s country strategy. This includes the management of advocacy and communications staff, building the capacity of local partners, and guiding the advocacy, policy and communications work at community, national and international levels, integrating ActionAid’s core principles and approaches.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities:

Alignment with ActionAid’s principles and approaches, as well as country strategy

• Lead AAP’s advocacy and communication work at local, national and international levels, aligned with the country strategy and ActionAid’s principles and approaches.
• Follow the standards and guidelines that ActionAid is committed to, including HRBA, women’s rights and accountability.
• Ensure linkages and coherence between advocacy and program priorities in Palestine and at the international level.

Implementation of advocacy and communications work

• Lead the implementation of AAP’s advocacy and communication strategies, in consultation with the senior management team, staff and partners.
• Track and analyze political developments, making recommendations to the Country Director on opportunities for public and private engagement.
• Manage partnerships with ActionAid country programs engaged in advocacy initiatives on Palestine.
• Maintain quality of communications activities and materials, and ensure sign off processes are adhered to.
• Enhance staff and partner capacity to undertake advocacy and communications work, and support partners to manage work at local, national and international levels.
• Lead the development and distribution of position papers, policy briefs, lobby letters, press releases and other media products.
• Design and facilitate events, particularly exposure visits for members of the ActionAid Federation or other influential groups and individuals.
• Coordinate meetings and deliver presentations at ActionAid events and external forums.
• Conduct regular field visits to program areas to provide guidance on relevant activities.

Management of partnerships and networks

• Develop and/or strengthen strategic partnerships with Palestinian and Israeli organisations with shared advocacy issues.
• Identify and network with relevant national and international advocacy groups.
• Represent AAP in key coordination forums, including the AIDA Advocacy Working Group.

Human resource management

• Participate in recruitment of staff and volunteers involved in advocacy and communications activities.
• Manage and guide advocacy and communications officer, and support other staff as needed.
• Work with Country Director and HR Officer to identify training needs and development opportunities for staff.

Fundraising

• Cooperate with fundraising and program teams to integrate advocacy, policy and communications components into concept notes and proposals.
• Develop proposals focused on operationalizing AAP’s advocacy strategy.
• In coordination with the Country Director, liaise with donors and raise AAP’s profile.

System, policies and procedures management

• Comply with organisational policies and procedures.

• Ensure that correct procedures are followed by staff under supervision. Budgeting

• Develop, monitor and update the advocacy and communications budget to ensure sound management.

• Develop, monitor, review and update quarterly work plans and budgets.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Lead the development of an effective monitoring and evaluation system for AAP’s advocacy and communications strategies that will measure both quantitative and qualitative change.
• Ensure timely and quality delivery of activities.
• Produce high quality and timely project and donor reports.
• Provide regular updates to AAP’s Senior Management Team.

Crisis/Risk Management

• Rapidly mobilize information and develop communications to respond to changes in the operating environment.
• Critically analyse and provide recommendations on reputation and operational risks in relation to advocacy and communications work.

Eligible applicants are required to have the following qualifications and skills:

• Master’s degree in development studies, social sciences or a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in similar positions, preferably as lead on advocacy.
• Understanding of Palestinian context and current political environment.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Fluency in English (both written and spoken), Arabic an advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to develop good working relationships within ActionAid and external actors.
• Strong IT, photography, audio and video production skills preferred.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Understanding of gender issues and commitment to promoting gender equity

Indicative salary range: USD 33,900.0 to USD 37,890.0 gross per annum. Plus the following benefits:

• Housing allowance.
• Travel and Health Insurance.
• Workers compensation insurance.
• Severance Benefit
• Flights: 1 return /year.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your resume and cover letter to: admin.middleeast@actionaid.org no later than 4th Jan 2016 and kindly include the job title in the subject line. Only short listed applicants will be contacted.

Women are encouraged to apply.**