JOB FAMILY: Programme
SALARY: from GBP 23,090 net of tax plus benefits
LEVEL: C1
OXFAM PURPOSE: To work with others to find lasting solutions to poverty and suffering
TEAM PURPOSE: To act with poor people as a force for change in addressing the causes and effects of poverty, suffering and injustice, utilising our programme work within poor communities of Rwanda
JOB PURPOSE: To lead on policy, advocacy, communications and campaigns work within the Rwanda country programme. To carry out a high-level representation role working with government and other stakeholders. To link with regional and global campaigns on a range of themes to ensure that Rwanda programme participates fully and learns from others within and outside the organisation.
REPORTING LINES
Reports to: Country Director
Reporting to this post: potential campaigns and communication posts as we scale up our programme in Rwanda
BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: TBC
BACKGROUND: The Oxfam GB Rwanda country programme works with Government, private sector and civil society on a number of issues including smallholder agriculture, participatory governance, and peace building and reconciliation. The Policy and Campaigns function is an important part of the country team that works to increase our impact through influencing others on policy and policy implementation issues. It also oversees communications and research work within the country programme, working closely with programme colleagues to do so. This post leads the function as well as participating in the country senior management team.
DIMENSIONS:
• Leadership and coordination of and delivery of agreed plans or strategies. Significant strategic input.
• Representation in coordination meetings and in high-level external relationships
• Impact and influence is broad and includes externally/the public
• Plans and manages unit resources, across a broad spectrum of programs or geographies.
• Key member of the senior management team
• Providing specialist advice or specific skills to team, partners and others
• Plans / objectives contribute to departmental / broader program strategy and can involve collaboration with other departments
• Management tasks are complex and non-routine within a specialised unit / function
• Requires the ability to analyse and communicate complex information to a wide audience
• Decision-making requires significant levels of judgement based on technical and management experience, generally actively supported within line management or the programme team
• Role is variable with well-defined targets and / or minimum standards and is both proactive and reactive
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Policy and campaigns support to Oxfam programmes
• Lead the development and management of the country policy and advocacy strategy, including vision and strategy development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and overall impact, so that expected results and outcomes on the advocacy and policy formulation fronts, are achieved
• Ensure up to date analysis of the context in the country and contribute to regional context analysis, working with a range of other stakeholders to do so
• Build the capacity of Oxfam partners and programme staff to carry out campaigns and policy activities within their own programme areas in line with Oxfam’s One Programme Approach
• Provide expert advice and support to programme teams to design creative and innovative approaches for facilitating policy influence that can have significant impact in the Rwandan context
Facilitation and Representation
• Carry out high-level lobbying activities on a range of issues, representing both Oxfam and its partners and constituents
• Play a leadership role in relevant civil society networks and platforms to ensure effective policy engagement by the sector in Rwanda
• Identify opportunities for co-operation and joint ventures with other organisations that can contribute to the success of the advocacy and policy work .
• Document, collate and disseminate best practice and be a standard bearer for good practice throughout the country, region and wider organisation
Research and Communications
• Build an evidence base for Oxfam policy and advocacy activities through commissioning and oversight of specific pieces of research on issues that affect poor women and men in Rwanda
• Ensure appropriate documentation of best practice and other learning from Oxfam and partner programmes, working together with the Evaluation and Learning officer to do so
• Lead Oxfam’s media engagement on Rwanda, with a focus on new and digital media
• Oversee the production of other resources and materials such as the annual report and contributions to wider Oxfam publications
General Management
• Participate in general management processes including budgeting, reviews, organisational development and deputising for the Country Director as required
• Secure and manage restricted funding for the Policy and Campaigns function in Rwanda
SKILLS AND COMPETENCE:
Essential
Policy, advocacy and campaigns experience
• Significant experience (more than 5 years) in policy and advocacy work including advocacy strategy development, monitoring and evaluation
• Experience of lobbying at a high level on a range of issues in a representation role
• Sensitive to cultural and political issues with strong diplomacy, tact, and negotiation skills
• Proven ability to represent Oxfam or other NGO with local communities, Government, NGO agencies and the commercial sector
• Excellent policy analysis skills
• Experience of capacity building of programme staff on advocacy issues
• Ideally experience of running a popular mobilisation campaign in a developing country
Communications and research experience
• Excellent communication (verbal and written English) and influencing skills, with proven ability to develop, write and present plans and proposals
• Demonstrable experience of writing a range of publications and resources for different resources
• Experience of commissioning research projects on a range of issues and/or working with academic and other institutions to carry out research
• Good knowledge and understanding of new media and ability to use these to further Oxfam’s impact
Thematic knowledge
• Excellent knowledge and experience of the Rwandan context ideally having worked with Government and civil society in Rwanda
• Good knowledge and understanding of development issues including specific knowledge on agricultural development; governance and participation; women’s rights and gender equity, as well as an overview of Great Lakes regional issues
Leadership and Drive
• Experience of creating and communicating visions for programmes as a means of leading change
• Proven ability to drive programmes and change in challenging circumstances, with a ‘can-do’ attitude
• Persistence and resilience in the face of obstacles
• Strong personal initiative and self motivation, with proven ability to work well under pressure and be flexible in demanding situations
• Open to challenging existing ways of working and prepared to take appropriate risk, and encourage others to do the same
Other
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with virtual teams
• Strong project management skills and ability to deliver results
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and action, and sympathy with the aims and objectives of Oxfam
• Computer literacy
• Ability to travel frequently
Desired
• Significant experience working in the Rwandan context with existing contacts/networks and relationships with key stakeholders to draw upon
• Strong organizational network experience, with experience working in a learning environment, and an ability to identify clear lessons and important issues that can be shared with others to constantly improve performance
• An ability to identify opportunities and to develop innovative strategy designs
To apply for the above positions This is an opportunity for a highly dedicated professional, with a strong commitment to Oxfam’s values and beliefs. If you meet the criteria outlined above, please send your CV and motivation letter stating the job reference in the title to kigali@oxfam.org.uk with a copy to jndamuzeye@oxfam.org.uk
The closing date for this vacancy is 5.00pm on 4th May 2011. Please note that we are an equal opportunities organisation and we strongly encourage applications from female candidates.
