Advocacy Coordinator

Who are we?

DRC has been responding to various humanitarian crises in Lebanon since 2004, working with Palestinian, Iraqi and Syrian refugees. DRC received registration from the Ministry of Interior in 2011, and since then has focused primarily on responding to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon and the resulting impact on Lebanese host community. DRC Lebanon’s focus is to ensure that we are able to respond to critical emerging humanitarian needs whilst improve the living conditions of displacement-affected populations and contribute to the achievement of durable solutions. With an annual portfolio of $12million, and with approximately 200+ staff, DRC is focusing its response in protection and economic recovery sector in Bekka, North Lebanon and Beirut. DRC is also contributing to the evidence base and coordination structures in country through our Evidence Generation and RIMS teams.

About the job

The Advocacy Coordinator will be responsible for engaging key stakeholders to work on a diverse range of advocacy and policy issues that impact the effectiveness of DRCs programmes in support of the most vulnerable populations in Lebanon. Accordingly, the Advocacy Coordinator will guide DRC’s strategic positioning, technical policy development and implementation of advocacy work in Lebanon. Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Advocacy Advisor will be responsible for setting up and pushing forward the implementation of the DRC Lebanon’s advocacy strategy and to further develop DRC-Lebanon’s advocacy work. She/he will liaise with DRC’s regional and global advocacy teams as well as being the focal point for DRC Lebanon on external communications.

Duties and Responsibilities

Advocacy

• Maintain oversight and lead on the development and implementation of DRC Lebanon’s advocacy strategy and plan.
• Alert the Country Director, Head of Programme and Regional Advocacy Coordinator to relevant policy developments and provide high quality analysis on key humanitarian, durable solutions and displacement trends, preparing evidenced-based policy briefing papers, policy position statements, talking points and other public-facing advocacy products when strategic and relevant (with inputs into HQ/Regional initiatives, LHIF meetings, as well as key cluster/working groups, UN &/or donor and line ministry specific meetings/visits, etc)
• Ensure advocacy coherence and reinforce effective synergies between programmes and advocacy by working closely with programme staff to integrate advocacy into programme planning and implementation.
• Liaise with key DRC partners, line ministries, UN, NGO and other interlocutors in Lebanon to ensure DRC has up to date information on the humanitarian situation and response in the region.
• Participate in and support the relevant working groups of the LHIF network, including supporting the planning and drafting of relevant products such as key messaging and briefings.
• Review materials related to Lebanon produced by DRC regional or headquarter teams to ensure consistency with DRC Lebanon policy positions.
• Support the Head of Programmes, Consortium Manager and Sector Managers to articulate/identify priority advocacy objectives, support in the development of sectoral policy briefs and messaging. Use evidence to inform advocacy priorities and positions
• In coordination with the Head of Programme, Sector Manager and RIMs Coordinator, ensure protection trends on priority areas of concern are analyzed and advocacy/policy briefs produced – including through the analysis of the DRC integrated assessment data. If relevant complement in – house data with commissioned academic or policy research by external parties.
• Suggest actions to national policy responses and policy frameworks, as well as other factors such as UN coordination, funding for the response, security and access, and current and future challenges that have an impact on humanitarian assistance and related services.
• Contribute to the DRC’s global and regional advocacy strategies and initiatives, ensuring that the DRC Lebanon specificities are reflected and captured.
• Ensure DRC’s regional office, headquarters, Brussels and Geneva representation offices are in line with DRC Lebanon advocacy strategy and understand and promote its asks.
• Participate in, and conduct research to prepare for global advocacy joint calls on Lebanon and provide information and advocacy messages relating to the Lebanese context and the Syria humanitarian crisis.
• Organize regular private and public advocacy events to ensure DRC’s advocacy messages are shared with relevant stakeholders and DRC’s profile on key issue is raised

Communications & Media

• Advise on media lines and media/communications strategy, ensuring potential risks associated with DRC’s positions are assessed and sign-off procedures are adhered to
• Day to day supervision and support the activities of DRC Lebanon Communication Specialist
• Support the Communications Specialist in the development of a communications strategy, ensuring communication materials/content is aligned with DRC Lebanon’s advocacy strategy/messaging.
• Support the Communications Specialist in the production of communication products/SoPs as well as digital content/materials (e.g. fact sheets, stories, photos, blogs, social media posts).
• Act as the focal point for media/communications and safeguard DRC’s overall brand and identity

AOB

• Act as the focal point for externally commissioned research and policy briefs
• Support programme staff in incorporating and integrating advocacy into all aspects of DRC’s programme activities, strategy and budgeting
• Ensure systematic training on advocacy, communication and humanitarian principles – building capacity of key technical staff
• Proactively participate in Senior Management meetings
• Represent DRC in advocacy, policy and coordination meetings or as otherwise delegated by the Country Director.

Experience and technical competencies:

• At least 5 years of professional experience crafting and delivering policy and advocacy work responding to complex humanitarian crises and/or post-conflict situations
• Strong understanding of the political and humanitarian context in Lebanon and the region
• Professional knowledge about protection principles and advocacy, and the use of media for public advocacy
• Ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative data.
• Understanding of the UN and international donor landscape, including challenges and constraints in Lebanon.
• Solid understanding of policy processes relating to forced displacement/refugee rights, migration, humanitarian response framework and international humanitarian law
• Documented/proven results related to the position’s responsibilities, particularly in analysis, drafting of messages,
• Strong negotiation/influencing skills in coordination and networking in particular with UN, INGO, donors and humanitarian coordination forums.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in human rights, social sciences, media, or related discipline is compulsory. Advanced degree such as Masters or a combination of disciplines, is advantageous.

Languages:

• Full proficiency in spoken and written English
• Arabic is highly desirable

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

· Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

· Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

· Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

· Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

· Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

We offer

Contract length: 1 year contract

Band: G – Non-Management

Location: Beirut, Lebanon

Suggested Start date: March 01, 2022