Context

The Nigeria INGO Forum (NIF) was established in 2014 to facilitate collaboration among international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) in Nigeria for humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts. It serves as a vital platform for information sharing, advocacy, and engagement with authorities, donors, and the UN, ensuring the inclusion of INGO perspectives and those of affected populations in decision-making. Governed by a core membership of 59 members and nine observers, it operates under a Steering Committee comprised of five Country Directors and a Chair, supported by a Secretariat.

For more details on the association’s organization, statutes, charter, and services offered to its members, see https://ingoforum.ng/.

What you will do:

The Policy and Advocacy Manager is a critical position within the INGO Forum. This position will take leadership of the policy and advocacy engagement of the INGO Forum. The Policy and Advocacy Manager coordinates advocacy for the 54 INGO membership, identifies national, regional, and international opportunities and develops key positioning for the humanitarian and development agendas. The Policy and Advocacy Manager will serve as the focal point for external advocacy, policy development/influencing, networking, coalition building and timely research and analysis. The Policy and Advocacy Manager sets the policy agenda and delivers on advocacy initiatives aimed at improving humanitarian and sustainable outcomes for people affected by conflict, environmental crisis, poverty and other protection and operational challenges in Nigeria.

• Develop, implement, and update NIF common strategies and action plans for Advocacy and Communications in coordination with NIF members and represents their priorities across the humanitarian, development and peace-building agendas
• Develop policy and advocacy outputs including briefing notes, policy and position papers, statements, etc. representing INGOs agreed-on positions and approaches
• Ensure key tools for advocacy and communications are developed and utilized, including stakeholder/power mapping, sign-off procedures, events/opportunity calendars, progress trackers, etc.
• Provide timely policy analysis and information on key priority topics to support the representation and coordination of the INGO Forum Steering Committee, Country Directors Plenary and Humanitarian Managers Platform
• Ensure evidence-based advocacy and information through frequent visits to the field and regular engagement with INGOs operational teams in coordination with NIF team
• Identify strategic entry points in Nigeria, regionally (Lake Chad Basin, African Union) and internationally to elevate Nigeria priorities
• Work closely with the INGO team, including the Director, Deputy Director, NW Coordinator, and Government Liaison colleagues, to ensure that the positions are well coordinated, and the team informed and able to speak to common issues
• Develop talking lines and joint messages on key issues for NIF team and INGOs
• Act as focal/liaison point for international and regional advocacy groups, journalists, and other external stakeholders seeking NGO positions on relevant issues
• Identify and ensure NIF is well prepared to engage in Nigeria focused platforms and events nationally, regionally, and globally
• Engage and support in data collection efforts to canvass NGO opinion, perspectives and experiences on key issues related to the enabling environment
• Work with NIF team to support relevant and appropriate information flows to members, NGO representatives, and key stakeholders in Nigeria and externally, and facilitate coordination among NIF members to reach common positions around key issues.
• Representation and lobbying in line with policy strategy and other agreed priorities, when required with local, state and Government of Nigeria; the UN; visiting officials; and donors in line with agreed division of labour with Director and Deputy Director
• Ensure NIF’s communication material promotes INGO common messaging by supervising and guiding NIF communications team
• Ensures that NIF advocacy and comms strategies and their implementation plans are well coordinated with NIF members building on their thematic and geographical expertise, and advocacy/comms capacity.
• The NIF policy and advocacy adviser may be required to step in for the director when necessary.

Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the role.

What you will bring:

• Experience in coordination within a humanitarian/recovery context.
• Experience working in complex and volatile contexts.
• Documented results in related responsibilities.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal, and fluency in one or more languages spoken in North-West Nigeria, particularly Hausa, is an advantage.

Context/Specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• At least five years of progressive experience of leading advocacy and policy engagement portfolios at NGO or UN level in conflict or post conflict contexts
• Able to proactively lead on formulation of policy analysis, strategy, messages and identification of key targets for impact and influence
• Proven experience in identifying and mobilising national, regional, or international opportunities
• Exceptional networking skills and strong experience working with and/or influencing donors, UN, government, and other critical stakeholders
• Proven experience in drafting position papers
• Strong understanding of the interlink between advocacy and communication messaging
• Commitment and solid understanding of humanitarian principles
• Ability to work under pressure and juggle multiple priorities at once
• Team player
• Cultural sensitivity
• Knowledge of Nigeria highly desirable (or complex emergency context)
• Experience of working in a recovery setting and demonstrated understanding of humanitarian, development, and peace linkages (highly desirable)
• Experience in working in policy and advocacy around development-related issues desirable
• Experience in working on advocacy for humanitarian access/ principled humanitarian response desirable
• Experience in localization and working with local CSOs.

Behavioural competencies 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent writing, editing, and analytical abilities.
• Proven ability to build relationships and facilitate dialogue among diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to present and represent collective views to various stakeholders.

What we offer:

• Location: Abuja
• Contract: 12 months contract
• Salary/benefits: grade 9
• NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.
• We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Send in your application by 21/11//2024.

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

Important information about the application process:

• To apply as an internal candidate*, log in with your official email,* or click on Opportunity MarketPlace.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• Submit your application and CV in English, ensuring to attach your latest CV.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• We receive many applications for each vacant position, as a result only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• If you have any questions about this role, please email [email protected] with the job title as the subject line.

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:

• do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts.
• join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.
• be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity.