Advocacy Officer

Recent conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) has devastated the country and the situation of the CAR's 560,000 displaced people is desperate: camps are makeshift, overcrowded and dangerous. A total of 1.7 million Central Africans are struggling to get the food they need to survive. More than 417,000 people have fled to neighboring countries, including over 235,000 into Cameroon and more than 94,000 into Chad.

The IRC has been working in the CAR since 2006 and has remained during the current crisis to provide lifesaving assistance. In Bocaranga, in the northwest, the IRC is providing emergency support to 15,000 people and operates mobile clinics to ensure that communities have access to essential health services. In the northern town of Kaga Bandoro, the IRC is providing food, seeds and shelter to those affected by the conflict.

In the capital city of Bangui, the IRC has provided emergency food support to more than 10,000 people and distributed water containers and soap to 40,000. In addition to opening five women's centers offering counseling, and deploying social workers to provide support and information on services, the IRC has responded to the needs of vulnerable women and girls in the capital by distributing 7,000 emergency kits that include clothing, sanitary items, soap and flashlights.

Scope of Work:

The Temporary Advocacy Officer and Researcher/Writer is charged with producing original research and writing for a major new advocacy campaign highlighting the humanitarian crisis in the CAR, its hidden consequences, and major obstacles to humanitarian assistance. The Advocacy Officer will conduct desk and field research on the hidden consequences of the crisis in the areas of personal security, healthcare, WASH, livelihoods and food security, and protection of civilians, including women and children. Additionally, the Advocacy Officer will conduct desk and field research to identify the major obstacles to humanitarian assistance and the role of NGOs, UN agencies and the respective peacekeeping missions in addressing them. The Advocacy Officer will draft a report and series of policy briefs analyzing the CAR's protracted crisis and its hidden consequences.

The Advocacy Officer will report to the Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy and coordinate closely with the CAR Country Director and the Regional Director. The position will be based in Washington, DC, USA or London, UK, with deployments to CAR.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with advocacy staff in Washington DC, New York, London, Brussels and Geneva; the IRC CAR country director and team; the Regional Director
• Design field survey and interview questions for field staff/beneficiaries
• Conduct consultations with IRC beneficiaries and technical staff, donor and humanitarian/development staff, UN representatives, and local NGOs in the CAR and global capitals
• Identify policy issues and recommendations in the CAR on 1) protection of civilians, including specific needs for women and children; 2)humanitarian access; 3) access to quality healthcare; 4) health consequences resulting from the lack of access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services; 5) loss of livelihoods and the associated decrease in food security
• Draft an awareness raising, professional report that provides an overview the CAR's protracted crisis and its hidden consequences, targeted for policymakers, the general press, and the general public in the US and Europe
• Draft a series of policy briefs on specific policy issues targeting policymakers, civil servants, donors and practitioners
• Work with an editor to revise written advocacy products prior to launch
• Serve as a focal point on research findings for the global media and communications team

REQUIREMENTS:

• At least five years of experience in conducting field research and delivering written advocacy products related to complex humanitarian crises and/or post-conflict environments;
• Demonstrated ability to produce professional, well-researched reports and policy briefs on humanitarian issues;
• Fluency in English and French (written and spoken) is essential;
• Background in journalism a plus;
• Ability to design field surveys and interview questions for a wide range of stakeholders;
• Ability to conduct extensive research and products multiple written products over a short period of time;
• Must be willing to travel to and spend time in the CAR, including to remote sites and endure basic living conditions when traveling to these field sites;
• First-hand experience in insecure conflict settings ideal;
• Ability to work well in unstable security environments, and under significant administrative and programmatic pressures;
• Culturally sensitive, able and interested in working with a multi-ethnic team and able to conduct research with beneficiaries ethically and sensitively;
• Strong commitment to the IRC's mission, purpose and values;
• Must be able to work independently while being a team player;
• Advanced degree in relevant field desired.

Professional Standards

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Work Environment

Security level orange. The situation in Bangui is calm at the moment but remains tense and unpredictable; concerns include criminality, presence of armed troops, and looting. There is active conflict in many parts of the country, including at IRC field sites.

How to apply:

Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=c3RldmVueS43OTg1My4zODMwQGlyYy5hcGxpdHJhay...