Gender and humanitarian advocacy advisor

Millions of people face extreme challenges every day because of conflict, climate change, displacement and growing inequalities. As a Gender and Humanitarian Advocacy Advisor for Trócaire, you can work to change this.

This exciting role will focus on tackling the underlying causes of humanitarian crises, the gendered impact of such crises and advocating for the human rights of affected communities.

You will work with partner agencies in humanitarian contexts to advocate for the protection of women and girls in emergencies, for adequate responses to and prevention of GBV, and for strong accountability mechanisms.

In the context of growing numbers of people being forcibly displaced globally, you will undertake advocacy in support of the rights of refugees, IDPs and migrants and on the root causes of displacement, with a gender lens.

You will analyse the issues, devise clear strategies and policy solutions and work in civil society networks for effective change. You will engage with media and lobby decision-makers in Ireland, within the EU and at the UN.
You will be based in Ireland, UK or Kenya with overseas travel.

About you

To carry out this exciting role, you will have the ability to analyse complex humanitarian and political issues and devise appropriate solutions.

You will have an excellent gender analysis and be familiar with humanitarian contexts, policy issues and institutions.

You will be a strategic thinker and an effective advocate, skilled at communicating complex policy issues to different audiences and decision-makers. You will have excellent report writing skills.

Trócaire

Trócaire works in partnership with local organisations in developing countries, and with people in Ireland, to tackle the root causes of poverty and injustice. Together, we create positive and lasting change.

Trócaire works in up to 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. We have 5 Goals: Defend Human Rights; Achieve Climate & Environmental Justice; Ensure Women & Girls’ Protection, Voice & Influence; Saving Lives and Protecting Human Dignity and Mobilise the Public on the island of Ireland to achieve Global Justice.

Our work is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and in our values of Solidarity, Courage, Participation, Perseverance and Accountability.

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

Reporting to the Head of Policy and Advocacy, this is a 3 year contract. This role is responsible for delivering a programme of policy influencing in close collaboration with colleagues in the Policy team, the Humanitarian team and the wider Public Engagement and International teams.

Safeguarding Policy - 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

Develop and implement effective advocacy for bringing about change on humanitarian advocacy priorities.

• In collaboration with other relevant staff members, develop and implement a humanitarian advocacy strategy, in line with Trócaire’s best practice approach to advocacy, including a strong gender analysis.

• Ensure advocacy and policy is informed by the experience in country programmes and supports the organisational ambition around partnership and localisation.

• Engage in advocacy with relevant duty bearers at the UN, EU and in the Irish political system as appropriate.

• Progress Trócaire’s humanitarian advocacy priorities, particularly on women, peace and security, as part of the Ireland’s seat on the UN Security Council.

Policy development

• Develop and advance Trócaire’s policy positions in relevant fora on the protection of women and girls (including GBViE; voice, leadership and the role of women-centre organisations; accountability; and the women, peace and security agenda) and on displacement.

• Develop high quality policy and advocacy materials, including position papers, briefing papers, research and advocacy reports.

• Identify and develop partnerships with policy and research institutes.

• Develop and maintain an excellent working knowledge of current and emerging policy trends to underpin Trócaire’s humanitarian work (including through maintaining strong links with Trócaire’s localisation hub).

Work with country offices

• Provide support to staff in country offices and partners on humanitarian policy and strategic advocacy.

• Elevate the humanitarian issues and trends from country teams to influence policy change.

• Engage and work closely with country teams to ensure Trócaire’s policy positions are grounded in direct experience and capture key trends and issues.

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

Representation and reporting

• Represent Trócaire effectively in key external networks (including CI and other INGOs) and at relevant national and international humanitarian policy discussions.

• Provide regular updates to management, humanitarian team, and country offices on emerging global and regional issues and trends within the sector.

• Ensure regular reporting, monitoring and evaluation of the advocacy strategy.

• Provide ‘rapid response’ policy and advocacy support to Trócaire CEO /Deputy CEO and management as required.

Person Specification – Essential Requirements

(E) Qualification • Relevant third level degree – in humanitarian law/action, international relations, conflict studies, human rights law or similar.

(E) Experience • At least 5 years’ experience of policy analysis and advocacy in a relevant area (including gender, humanitarian, development and/or human rights).

• Experience developing and implementing effective advocacy strategies.

• A proven track record in effective advocacy and lobbying at UN, EU or Irish level.

• A proven track record of policy development, research and production of advocacy materials on a relevant policy area, with a strong gender lens.

(E) Skills • Familiarity with key policy frameworks and advocacy fora relating to gender based violence; the protection of women and girls; women, peace and security and displacement.

• Knowledge of international humanitarian architecture.

• Familiarity with the operations of key humanitarian institutions, including international human rights institutions.

• Ability to analyse complex humanitarian and political issues and devise appropriate policy solutions.

• 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.

(E) Qualities • A proven commitment to teamwork and working in networks.

• 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

How to apply

To apply, please click on; https://apply.workable.com/trocaire/j/C1525EF809/ and complete the application form.