Advocacy Officer (Consultant)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, color, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

Job Title: Advocacy Officer

Type of Contract: Regular Consultancy

Division: Communications, Marketing and Advocacy Division

Duty Station (City, Country): Rome HQ, Italy (Initially Home-based)

Duration: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Based in the Global Advocacy team in Communications, Advocacy and Marketing (CAM) Division, the consultant will support in leading the design and implementation of core advocacy strategies and activities carried out by WFP to enable ‘Saving Lives and Changing Lives’ mandate and delivering the SDG 2. Reporting to the Global Head of Advocacy, the consultant will drive WFP’s regional advocacy initiatives, effectively positioning WFP priorities with member states, civil society groups and movements as well as intergovernmental organizations. In addition, the consultant will lead in building the capacity of CAM colleagues and other relevant teams to implement effective advocacy initiatives by carrying out advocacy trainings, providing technical support to national and regional team as well creating linkages and support as required.

ACCOUNTABITLITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Consultant will,

• Report to the Head of Global Advocacy and work in close coordination with other divisions and offices to further advocacy agenda.
• Identify and pursue advocacy opportunities that strengthen the core activities carried out by WFP to enable the achievement of Saving Lives and Changing Lives mandate.
• Provide required analysis for effective positioning of WFP at global and regional levels to influence and advance the advocacy agenda
• Develop and maintain partnerships with member states, civil society groups and movements as well as intergovernmental organizations to advocate for the implementation of WFP’s agenda of ending global hunger.
• Track and analyse key global policy developments and trends relevant on climate change and social protection to support in effective positioning engagements.
• Proactively review a wide range of aspects of Communications, Advocacy and Marketing portfolio for advocacy messages and consistency.
• Produce well researched, clear, concise advocacy briefs and messages on agreed agenda and priorities.
• Collaborate with and support other units within CAM to ensure strategic alignment and identify cross cutting initiatives and opportunities.
• Take lead in building the capacity of CAM colleagues and other relevant teams to implement effective advocacy initiatives by carrying out advocacy trainings, providing technical support to national and regional team as well as creating linkages and support.
• Work with the team to produce a work plan with key dates and events and the best way to influence the key stakeholders before and after the agreed events.
• Work with the team to implement the agreed work plan.
• Any other duties and responsibilities that the line manager deems necessary and or relevant.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE FOR THE ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Has an excellent understanding and experience of policy and advocacy in humanitarian and development contexts with special focus on engaging global, regional, and national platforms for desired policy and advocacy influencing.
• Experience in building partnerships with global, regional, and national governments for desired policy and advocacy changes.
• Has gained significant experience in exploring new opportunities and providing inputs to design and implement advocacy campaigns.
• Has designed and managed advocacy initiatives and provided technical support and guidance to colleagues.
• Has used understanding of partners focus areas and knowledge of internal capabilities to creates a unique value proposition for the partners.
• Has motivated team spirit and contributed to a gender-balanced, inclusive, and sound working environment.

DELIVERABLES:

The Consultant will:

• Identify and pursue at least 2 high level impact advocacy opportunities that strengthen the core activities carried out by WFP to enable the achievement of Saving lives and Changing Lives mandate.
• Analyse advocacy opportunities, linking climate change, conflict, and hunger and develop and an engagement plan for CAM.
• Produce at least 2 well researched, clear, and concise advocacy briefs or key massages on agreed agenda, mapped out key targets, stakeholders, opportunities messages and way forward with specific recommendations.
• Deliver at least 2 capacity building/technical support initiatives for global, regional, or national units related to advocacy and campaigning.

• Contribute to the development, and finalization of a high impact and implementable advocacy strategy.

• Help the team implement at least two main activities in the agreed work plan.

• Support the Head of the team with representation, providing of technical support and team deliverables.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, International Relations, International Development, Business Administration and or any other relevant field.

Experience:

More than 7 years of high-level experience in advocacy - both in humanitarian and development sector. At least 5 years of experience in leadership positions, leading advocacy strategies and managing teams.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Excellent understanding of humanitarian and development sectors and the SDGs with special focus on SDG2 and its deliverables.

  • Excellent writing, conceptual and analytical skills including the ability to present complex processes and issues clearly to a heterogeneous audience and in an actionable manner.
  • Demonstrated professional research and writing experience, including through publications.
  • Ability to network and function well in a multi-cultural context and working with diverse teams.

  Languages: Excellent knowledge of English (level C) is required. An intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages) is a plus.

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Deadline for applications: 30th June 2022

Ref.: VA No. 166581

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.