Communications & Advocacy Specialist

Danish Refugee Council is a leading protection agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations based on humanitarian principles. In the East Africa and the Great Lakes, DRC applies a regional approach with operational presence in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

DRC Sudan has experienced a significant strategic and operational shock following the onset of the crisis and is the country operation is responding to the evolving emergency as part of the inter-regional Sudan response plan. With the outbreak of conflict, DRC Sudan has reprogrammed activities to emergency modalities, and has deployed emergency teams to participate in joint needs assessments as well as conduct Rapid Protection Assessments. DRC continues to operate in Central Darfur, Gedaref and South Kordorfan with the provision of life-saving assistance of Emergency relief, Protection and FSL as well as establishing new operational presence in White Nile and Al Gezira and re-establishing the Country Office in Gedaref. Ongoing efforts to re-establish operations in Khartoum and new areas to respond to the increasing needs.

Overall purpose of the role:

Promote DRC’s mission, mandate, work via the development and articulation of communications and advocacy strategies in country, working closely with management teams to identify appropriate methods to communicate to and advocate with relevant parties. Play a key role in our efforts to support the protection of refugees, IDPs and other conflict-affected persons through projects focusing on empowering beneficiaries and their host communities. Liaising with central and municipal duty bearers to improve DRC overall response to promote durable solutions for beneficiaries.

Main duties and Responsibilities will be:

Communications

• Design and implement a country program communication and advocacy strategy.
• Work with the programme teams, local partner organizations and donors to develop visibility and communication plans.
• Develop and produce DRC information and communication materials such as brochures, newsletters, stories / lessons learnt, blogs, photos, videos and regularly update the DRC website / Facebook page and other publications.
• Support the Country Director in preparing requested interviews by the media.
• Provide input on NGO joint briefing papers and DRC situational reports.
• To monitor and analyse local and international media coverage related to the local situation.
• Ensure compliance with donor communication requirements.

Representation

• Represent the programme to authorities, donors, partners, and in various co-ordination fora, including the Sudan NGO Forum.
• Ensure that DRC maintains excellent and productive relations with all key stakeholders, especially beneficiaries, local authorities, the humanitarian community and donors.

Advocay

• Design and implement a country program advocacy strategy in coordination with HQ, Regional Office, Brussels and Geneva DRC offices.
• Ensure linkages between DRC programme implementation and advocacy messaging based on beneficiary priority needs
• Support the Country Director, the Area Managers and other senior management group (SMG) members to conduct their external representation and advocacy tasks through feeding of relevant information and advising on coherent and solid messaging
• Produce background papers, briefing materials and provide policy analysis to influence and inform policy and programme development
• Monitor and anaylse displacement trends and developments.
• Support the Country Director in advocacy messaging during high profile visits.
• Design and lead advocacy trainings for DRC staff as required.
• Represent DRC in relevant advocacy and communications fora and build relationships with other likeminded organizations (e.g. NGOs, UN agencies), to coordinate and collaborate on joint advocacy & communication efforts.
• Draft relevant advocacy and communication sections of funding proposals.

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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.

Experience and technical competencies

To be successful in this role we expect you possess the following:

• Excellent oral and written skills and demonstrated ability to write and develop strong communication and advocacy materials
• At least 3 years’ experience working in communications and/or advocacy
• Experience working in an international NGO
• Experience with conflict related displacement issues;
• Experience in donor contact, fundraising and networking;
• Experience working in the East Africa and/or Horn of Africa (preferred);
• Full professional proficiency in English.
• Knowledge of Arabic is an added advantage.

What we offer

Contract: 1 Year Contract with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance.

Salary: in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment Non Management Band/ G.

Availability: August 2023 or ASAP.

Duty station: Gedaref, Sudan or Nairobi, Kenya

Reporting Line: Country Director

Providing equal opportunities We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

DRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff within its programs. As such, we strongly encourage national and diaspora candidates to apply for this position. However, candidates should take into consideration that DRC cannot employ, under an international contract, a national of the country in which he or she will be working (in this case, the Republic of Sudan).

Promoting high standards : DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.