Humanitarian Advocacy Advisor

Position description

Starting Salary: With London Weighting: £35,703 - £37,210

Without London Weighting: £32,019 - £33,526 (or National Equivalent)

Contract: Permanent

Hours of work: 35 hours full time

Location: London/UK, which could be potentially hybrid working with a minimum of 40% of your time in the office (This is the default arrangement for most posts within the UK); or office based in London. However we are open to strong candidates based elsewhere around the world with the location flexible with potential for remote working. As a global organisation we are open to considering applications from candidates in a variety of locations. Terms and conditions will depend on country registration and right to work status of the successful applicant. Some international travel will be required.

Job Profile

The Humanitarian Advocacy Advisor (HAA) is an advisor level position in CAFOD’s Humanitarian Programme and Support Team. Working closely with the Head of Humanitarian Policy, other CAFOD staff and local partners, the HAA will support policy analysis, advocacy and other related tasks (eg media work) on both thematic and context-specific issues relevant to promoting local leadership in crisis response.

Through its advocacy, wider programming and partnerships, CAFOD is committed to promoting transformative change in the humanitarian system at global as well as national and local levels to promote the leadership, agency and voice of local civil society and crisis-affected communities themselves. The expertise of our local partners and their networks is at the heart of our advocacy approach. Together with our local partners, CAFOD has played an important role in efforts to promote accountability for localisation commitments made by donors, UN agencies, NGOs and others. We are looking for candidates with relevant experience which could include working in humanitarian action, but also other dimensions of advocacy and civil society response to conflict and/or natural disasters. An understanding of how to advocate for change in the humanitarian system, as well as of the priority challenges and opportunities faced by local civil society, will be essential to deliver in this role.

There is scope for deployments (2-4 weeks at a time) to countries in crisis to support the CAFOD Country Offices or partners at peak moments of emergencies. Total travel is not expected to exceed 3 months in any 12-month period.

Person Specification 

Essential Criteria

Job-specific competencies

• Actively supports CAFOD’s vision, mission and values and what we aim to achieve
• Intermediate to experienced level of knowledge and understanding of emergency response programming.
• Knowledge of humanitarian standards, best practice (SPHERE, Red Cross and Red Crescent Code of Conduct and CHS).
• Understanding of working with community-based organisations and local partners in the delivery of programmes and capacity building, particularly in preparedness and response
• The ability to work autonomously, take the initiative and work creatively
• Proven understanding of successfully delivering advocacy / policy work overseas or in different humanitarian contexts;
• High-level interpersonal and communications with the ability to effectively influence and liaise with key stakeholders on behalf of and in line with CAFOD’s principles
• Good analytical skills, skills in review of documents and policy/advocacy report writing
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple tasks and implementing systems and procedures
• Ability to quickly establish and maintain effective relationships to achieve results in short timeframes
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrated ability at being flexible and adapt to changing situations
• The ability to remain calm while dealing with conflicting priorities and working under pressure
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Excellent IT skills

Understanding our context 

A Understanding Catholic identity: I recognise the intrinsic dignity of every person and the importance of contributing to the common good

B Understanding CAFOD: I understand, demonstrate and actively support CAFOD’s vision, mission and values and what we aim to achieve

C Understanding international development        I have an understanding of the nature and causes of world poverty and how it affects different individuals, groups and communities.

Working together 

D Managing ourselves: I am aware of my own development needs and take steps to address them

E Working with others: I embrace the culture of those we are working with to better understand their needs and perspectives

F Communicating: I actively listen to others; I keep colleagues informed of developments that may affect them

G Looking outwards: I focus on how CAFOD can make a real difference to the lives of those in poor or marginalised communities

Making change happen 

H Managing resources: I am clear about available resources and how they can be best used. I am careful in the use of resources, including other people’s time

I Achieving results: I have a clear sense of priorities. I keep focused on the work to be done.

J Managing our performance: I provide and seek regular constructive feedback on my performance

K Taking the lead: I take the lead in identifying solutions and making change happen

Desirable Criteria 

• Educated to degree level OR equivalent professional experience in a relevant field
• Previous experience in a humanitarian programme environment overseas, preferably working with partners or communities
• Language skills in French, Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic
• Knowledge in one or more of the following areas; protection mainstreaming, WASH, climate change, early action/early warning forecasting or localisation agenda.
• Basic financial management skills

Application instructions

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