VACANCY: Advocacy Officer – Sudan

22 days leave a year, in addition to relevant public holidays.

The International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI) – www.refugee-rights.org – was founded in 2004 to inform and improve responses to the cycles of violence and displacement that are at the heart of large-scale human rights violations. Headquartered in Uganda, we are registered as a non-governmental, non-profit organisation in the US, the UK and Uganda.

Over the last 14 years, we have developed a holistic approach to the protection of human rights before, during, and in the aftermath of displacement, by focusing on:

We aim to ensure the voices of the displaced are both heard and heeded at the international level through our evidence based advocacy that is built on robust field based data collection and analysis.

As part of a small but committed team of human rights advocates, the Advocacy Officer will primarily be responsible for developing and implementing advocacy strategies to support the work of both IRRI and our partners. With an initial focus on increasing the reach and impact of our advocacy work on Sudan (and on the crisis in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile in particular), this role will include identifying opportunities to promote the work of IRRI and our partners whilst also establishing links with relevant  policy makers at the international, regional and national levels. It will also identify opportunities for public outreach in the region and internationally.

The Advocacy Officer will report to the Programme Manager, Sudan but will also work with IRRI’s Executive Director.

This position will require regional and international travel.

1.       Design and deliver programme related advocacy strategies, ensuring that IRRI’s findings, on Sudan in general and Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states in particular, reach as many relevant decision makers as possible.

2.       Develop and foster strong relationships with key actors at an international and regional level.

3.       Produce a diverse range of information products for advocacy, communications and media purposes including, but not limited to, drafting or inputting into reports, briefing papers, blogs, updates, media briefs, submissions to government consultations and web content.

4.       Identify and develop key constituencies to elicit support and maximise opportunities for impact.

5.       Take the lead on advocacy efforts and represent IRRI to high profile policy makers, practitioners, academic partners, the media and the public.

6.       Provide advice and expertise to senior management on a range of outreach issues, methods and approaches.

7.       Create and maintain internal systems, including contact lists, diaries of upcoming events and opportunities and other databases.

8.       Build and maintain effective external partnerships.

9.       Source and contribute to fundraising activities on behalf of IRRI and ensure timely and accurate reporting to funders and IRRI management.

10.   Evaluate impact and results of advocacy

11.   Organise human rights events, including workshops and meetings both at regional and/or international level.

12.   Flexibility in helping out on other programme areas when necessary.

Mandatory

·    An advanced degree in law, human rights, international relations/politics, conflict studies, communication or a related field, ideally in international humanitarian or human rights law.

·   Three to five years professional experience in human rights advocacy, preferably at international level (including specific expertise in either the AU, UN, EAC, ICGLR and/or EU) and including experience in and/or on conflict and post conflict environments.

·   Excellent interpersonal and communications skills including written, editing and public speaking

·     Proven analytical skills and experience in producing detailed briefings and other documents for publication.

·     Excellent written and oral English, as well as presentation skills.

·     Attention to detail.

·     Ability to work independently and to deadlines.

·     Good organisational and administrative skills.

 Desirable

·     Knowledge of the Great Lakes region, especially Sudan

·     Knowledge of regional languages ideally Arabic.

·     Experience of using international human rights law and regional instruments for human rights advocacy.

·    Experience in Microsoft Office and desktop publishing.

–          an up-to-date CV (max 2 pages)

–          a covering letter (max 2 pages)

–          a writing sample

–          three professional references.

Any applications without all four submissions included will not be considered.

IRRI provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Application deadline:  6pm (Kampala time) 19 July 2018 – any applications received after this time will not be considered

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.