Ireland: Humanitarian Policy Advisor

Trócaire is one of Ireland’s leading INGOs, with over 40 years’ experience in the Humanitarian and International Development sectors. Trócaire works with local partners in over 20 developing countries across Africa, Asia, Central America and the Middle East. Trócaire envisages a just and peaceful world where; people’s dignity is ensured and rights are respected; basic needs are met and resources are shared equitably; people have control over their own lives; those in power act for the common good.

Humanitarian response is a cornerstone of Trócaire’s 2016-2020 Strategic Plan, including a commitment to speak out on the rights of crisis affected communities in order to shape humanitarian response and influence solutions to the root causes of crises’.

This position as a Humanitarian Policy Advisor will develop and lead Trócaire’s policy engagement on humanitarian issues. Trócaire aims to be an outspoken humanitarian actor that shapes humanitarian policy and practice to achieve better outcomes for the people we assist. We are committed to undertaking evidence-based advocacy on the rights of crisis-affected communities (including those displaced by crisis) and influence duty bearers to address the structural issues that underlie humanitarian crisis. Trócaire’s advocacy work will be rooted in our local partners’ experience responding to humanitarian crises, based on evidence from research and engagement with humanitarian networks at national and international level.

Reporting to Head of Humanitarian Programmes, (with a dotted line to Head of Policy and Advocacy), this role is responsible for delivering a programme of policy influencing in close collaboration with colleagues in the Humanitarian team, the Policy team and the Public Engagement team.

This role requires travel within Europe and globally to support country offices and partners as well as to lobby advocacy targets.

For the candidate with the required experience and passion for the role, Trócaire offers a competitive package of salary and benefits.

Reporting to Head of Humanitarian Programmes, this is an open-ended contract and is based in Maynooth.

Safeguarding Programme Participants

Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. Any candidate offered a job with Trócaire will be expected to sign Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policies and Global Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Ongoing Policy Analysis

· Provide sound contextual policy analysis to underpin Trócaire’s humanitarian work

· Monitor the developments in the humanitarian policy sphere and provide regular updates to OMG, Humanitarian Team, Country Offices on emerging global and regional issues and trends within the sector

· Provide ‘rapid response’ policy and advocacy support to Trócaire Director/Deputy Director and management as required (e.g. development of ad hoc briefings etc.)

· Drive Trócaire’s growing capability and capacity in humanitarian advocacy and engagement in humanitarian policy priorities, regularly deploying to crisis contexts

Evidence based advocacy on humanitarian policy priorities

· Utilise and build on research already undertaken by Trócaire

· Develop and manage new research in collaboration with at least two in-country teams (undertake desk study, define research questions, manage research partner)

· Identify and develop partnership(s) with policy and research institute(s) to undertake research (in liaison with country teams for in country agencies)

· Derive from research findings a focused evidence driven humanitarian policy agenda to raise awareness and influence decision makers to adopt effective solutions for identified issues and challenges

· Develop and implement an advocacy strategy on current policy priorities (currently protection / displacement/ localisation) identifying the best opportunities for collaboration in order to build momentum for change (C4C/ Caritas Europa/ Caritas Internationalis/ Voice/ ICVA)

· Develop high quality policy position papers, briefing papers and publications from research findings

· Engage with relevant stakeholders including (Ireland, EU, International) to influence policy and practice related to research findings

· Represent Trócaire at high level policy related meetings, committees and fora with policy makers in Ireland and the EU.

Support to Country Advocacy

· Provide training, mentoring and support to staff in country offices and partners on humanitarian policy and advocacy

· Elevate the humanitarian needs and trends from country teams and related challenges and opportunities to guide and influence changes within the sector and donor policies

· Engage and work closely with Country Directors (CDs), Humanitarian Managers and Policy Staff to ensure Trócaire’s policy positions are grounded in programme realities and to assess and advise on risk identification and mitigation with the country specific strategies

· Develop position/briefing papers for CDs when requested for specific opportunities

Other

· Support effective tracking and monitoring of humanitarian policy and advocacy work

· Participate fully in Trócaire’s Humanitarian Team and in the Central Policy Team to represent humanitarian priorities at that forum

· Develop and maintain active working relationships with policy and advocacy colleagues in CI partner organisations and other INGOs

· Help support organisational needs – [particularly those of Communications, Campaigns, Fundraising & Marketing, Development Education- by providing appropriate humanitarian policy and programming input when relevant

Person Specification – Essential Requirements

(E) Qualification

Relevant third level degree – in humanitarian studies, international relations or similar

(E) Experience

· At least 3 years’ experience in the humanitarian sector, including at least 2 years’ overseas experience

· At least 2 years’ experience record of a proven track record Humanitarian policy analysis, research and production of analytical and/or advocacy material on a relevant policy area

(E) Skills

· Knowledge of international humanitarian architecture, political systems within the EU, Ireland or UK and political lobbying.

· Familiarity with the policies and operations of key humanitarian institutions, including international human rights institutions.

· Demonstrable capacity and commitment to working in collaborative fashion with programme staff, international staff and partners.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills and willingness to undertake media and public speaking work.

· French and/or Spanish desirable

(E) Qualities

· A proven commitment to teamwork.

· An ability to maintain a positive attitude working in an environment where results are difficult to achieve and quantify.

(E) Other

· Willingness to travel and work in developing countries and crises zones, where and when required, at short notice

Please note that interviews will be held on Monday 22nd October 2018

Trócaire is an Equal Opportunities Employer

To apply for this position, please click on; https://trocaire.workable.com/j/55B6874C40 and complete the application form.