Job Description

Position Policy & Advocacy Officer
Comité de Coordination des ONGs (CCO)
Grade N/A
Department & Location CARE Office
Deadline December 31st 2014
Reports to (position): Representative of the Comité de Coordination des ONGs (CCO)


Purpose: In 1-2 sentences, why this job exists at Plan
Working in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan aims to reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded or marginalised with high quality programs that deliver long lasting benefits by increasing its income, working in partnership with others and operating effectively.
Plan International, one of the world’s largest children’s NGOs, plays a key role in the CCO as financial “host” and also a member of the CCO management team.

CCO’s PURPOSE:

The CCO’s goal is to increase the coherence and effectiveness of the contribution of INGOs in improving the living conditions of Haitians, paving the way for sustainable development.

The goal is to become a strategic actor influencing the policy and practice of key stakeholders involved in relief, rehabilitation, and development. Also to support and strengthen an enabling environment for INGO activities.

JOB PURPOSE:

To support the work of the CCO representative, leading selected advocacy and initiatives, liaising with CCO members (and potential members), specific government representatives, and the national media.

Dimensions of Role:
• Providing technical advice and specialist guidance on appropriate advocacy issues
• Helping facilitate work of key NGO leaders in 2 working groups, supporting policy analysis, arriving at common positions, developing and implementing advocacy strategies.

Typical Responsibilities - Key End Results of Position:

Communications & Event Planning
• Develop and implement CCO internal and external advocacy strategy
• Develop CCO advocacy materials, such as brochures, website, press releases, briefing notes, newsletters, etc.
• Ensure quality and coherence of CCO advocacy initiatives

Facilitation of two NGO working groups
• Organize and chair meetings of the CCO working group related advocacy.
• Support CCO members in understanding target audiences, gathering info from government stakeholders, identifying their policy thinking and opportunities for influence.
• Assist NGO leaders in analysing key programmes and policies, formulating common positions and designing advocacy strategies and activities.
• Recruit new members and support info needs of the two informal working groups. ,

Representation, advocacy (including lobbying)
• Facilitate and conduct advocacy activities with key stakeholders as identified by CCO working groups.
• Fill in for the CCO Representative in meetings with the Government of Haiti, the UN, and donors, conveying views of INGO community.

Media relations
• Develop and build relationships with selected national media as key sources/contacts.
• Act as a spokesperson for the CCO, delivering NGO messages to key audiences, as per the communications strategy.

Relationships with other NGOs and development of CCO membership
• Support involvement of additional Plenary Assembly members with a view to making the CCO more inclusive and representative e.g. organizing events with policy makers.
• Partner with civil society organisations to build their capacity for policy-making and advocacy and bolster their support.
• Partner with the CLIO platform, to explore ways to strengthen our shared voice and the legitimacy of NGOs in Haiti.

Indicators for success:
• CCO Secretariat participates effectively in at least two coordination mechanisms led by the government and the UN, supporting improved policy and practice.
• Minimum 2 CCO working groups improve the quality of their policy advocacy, developing better analysis and incorporating info from their NGO experiences.
• Advocacy plan is implemented, activities are effective, objectives are achieved with key external audiences.
• Increased number of NGOs become members and participate in CCO initiatives,
• Ongoing and special events (panels, meetings, fora, workshops) reflect careful preparation and planning and are of high quality.

Dealing with Problems:
Complexity of problems handled & the degree of investigation, analysis, & creative thinking required to solve them

The Policy & Communication Officer will have:
• Ability to identify common elements from diverse NGO perspectives and to forge common positions shared by the membership.
• Good understanding of advocacy and how policies are designed and implemented,
• Good understanding of how to develop and implement communications strategies.
• Ability to build relationships with influential leaders in government, UN and donor commmunities, and act as external spokesperson.
• Ability make decisions and solve problems on routine, new and complex issues/problems, which are often highly unpredictable in type, content, or circumstances.
• Ability to work without close supervision, making decisions and problem-solving on many projects/tasks.

S/He works under the direct supervision of the CCO representative and submits to the CCO representative issues that surpass his/her job responsibilities.

Communications and Working Relationships:
Working contacts inside and outside the organization; include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact

1. Internal
• High contact with CCO members at the country director level.

2. External
• High contact with government officials in ministries and also the donor community.
• National media

Knowledge, Skills, Behaviors, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred
• Experience in international (humanitarian or development) work or related field, including 1 year abroad (developing country experience preferred).
• Minimum two years experience in communications, policy analysis, and/or advocacy campaigns.
• Sound understanding of governance structures and public policy processes in Haiti.
• Keeps up to date with internal or external activities which may influence role.
• Languages: Fluency in English, French and Creole is essential.

Skills
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Networking and team-building skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Willing and able to adapt priorities in order to respond to changing demands.
• Anticipates outcomes of activities and uses initiative to keep these activities on course.
• Works autonomously and on own initiative.
• Ability and willingness to work under pressure.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including drafting skills.
• Computer literate: highly proficient in the use of word processing software (MS Word), presentation software (MS PowerPoint), spreadsheet software (MS Excel), emails software and knowledge management systems.

Behaviours
• Able to maintain appropriate linkages with government, UN and NGO leaders.
• Organize and chair meetings with good participation from NGO directors and senior staff
• Demonstrate knowledge of and respect for the traditions and practices of other cultures
• Able to communicate externally and internally the purpose and outcomes of work needed
• Ability to maintain strategic vision and link with everyday work
• Accountability and responsibility for own performance
• Demonstrate high degree of professionalism and integrity
• Autonomy in the realization of his function
• Confident in taking initiative and exploring new opportunities
• Assertiveness without aggressiveness

Physical Environment and Demands:
• Based in the CARE Office in Port-au-Prince
• Occasional travel to other departments

Level of Contact with Children:
• The position involves no contact or very low frequency of interaction with children.



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