Advocacy Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION                                                                                              

Position

Advocacy Specialist

Contract Type

21-month consultancy

Department & Location

Lebanon

Date

Starting January 1st 2018.

Reports to

Head of Mission or Designated Programme Manager

Purpose: 

Lead project management and Plan’s technical work of the “Encouraging Marginalized Voices in the Lebanese Political Process” project. This includes facilitating evidence-based advocacy training for gender-focused Lebanese civil society organizations.

Dimensions of Role

·         Lead Plan’s role in the implementation of the “Encouraging Marginalized Voices in the Lebanese Political Process” project. This requires development and facilitation of training, development and delivery of gender-focused advocacy, and engagement with broad range of project stakeholders, as well as support to project financial and administrative management processes, protocols and systems.

Key End Results and Responsibilities

Programme Development & Quality Management

·         Develop a gender-focused national advocacy strategy and advocacy plan, taking into account issues identified by project and civil society partners.

·         Develop gender-focused advocacy messaging to be used by Plan International, project partners, and civil society organizations.

·         Deploy advocacy messaging on behalf of Plan International and support project partners and civil society organizations in their deployment of advocacy messaging.

·         Assist and participate in a national conference to present findings of an assessment of legal issues relevant to marginalized voices.

·         Design evidence building methods for civil society organizations, including community scorecards, as well as train and support participating civil society organizations in their implementation.

·         Design participatory budgeting mechanisms for civil society organizations to influence public budgeting processes, as well as train and support participating civil society organizations in their implementation.

·         Provide regular updates to supervisor and other project team members to inform project programming decision making and advocacy efforts.

·         Support and maintain good working relationships with project partners, civil society organizations and government representative.

·         Draft quarterly and final reporting for project activities.

·         Ensure monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to track project results.

·         Support on other related projects and activities if requested by the supervisor.

Administration and Finance

·         Ensure that all finance policies and procedures are adhered to, as well as any other procedures and relevant protocols of Plan International.

·         Ensure budget spending and forecasts are in line with plans.

Human Resource Development

·         Supports the recruitment for external consultants to provide for any programmatic gaps in expertise that may be identified.

Learning and Knowledge Management

·         Shares relevant administrative and programmatic information with the Programme team and supports proper documentation.

Communications and Working Relationships:

Working contacts inside and outside the organization; include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact

·         Prepare and submit relevant project reports for domestic consumption.

·         Provide timely responses concerning administrative queries linked with relevant projects or programmes.

·         Report to the Head of Mission or Designated Programme Manager.

·         Work amicably with other members of the Plan International Lebanon team to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery. 

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviors Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Knowledge:

Qualifications and Experience

Experience managing evidence-based advocacy projects in developing country contexts, preferably in Lebanon or other countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

Knowledge of and experience participating in or managing gender-focused advocacy efforts in developing country contexts, preferably in Lebanon or other countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

Experience developing and facilitating group training sessions and following up with participants as they use newly learned skills.

University education and over 3 years of experience in advocacy, civil society strengthening, or a related field and demonstrated experience in management of civil society or gender-focused projects.

A history of productive involvement with local partners, including from government, traditional leadership, and civil society.

Demonstrated expertise in and commitment to developing the leadership of marginalized voices, including women and young people.

Demonstrated expertise in designing, implementing, and monitoring inclusive, gender-equitable development programs.

Demonstrated knowledge and background in community mobilization and engagement.

Demonstrated problem solving skills, collaboration experience, creativity and willingness to innovate.

Experience drafting project reporting and monitoring project progress.

Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic language skills.

Knowledge of French language preferred but not required.

Skills & Knowledge

Basic financial and administrative skills.

Communicates clearly and effectively appropriate to the audience.

Possession of good report writing skills.

Passion for learning and development.

Good computer literacy skills.

Team player.

Behaviors

·         Provides good administrative support to enable the project meets its agreed outcomes.

·         Actively seeks for support in addressing difficulties in execution of duties.

Physical Environment and Demands

·         Travel to Programme activities to provide support where necessary, which may take place anywhere in Lebanon.

Level of Contact with Children:

Low contact - the job responsibilities of this position require the post holder to have very infrequent contact with children. Despite this, it is expected that children shall be protected at all times.

Please send your CV and cover letter to “[email protected]” mentioning the position title in the subject of your email.