Belgium: Advocacy Adviser

NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL – NRC EUROPE

JOB DESCRIPTION

This position is key to realizing NRC Europe’s ambition of expanding its presence and visibility at EU level and worldwide. By providing targeted messages and timely information to NRC’s key interlocutors, the Advocacy Adviser enables policymakers to shape EU humanitarian policies that meet the needs of the field.

Working in close cooperation with the Director, this position officially represents the organisation and leads its outreach, advocacy and policy efforts. The Advocacy Adviser reacts swiftly to latest operational developments, shapes precise strategic guidelines and proactively maps and engages with stakeholders to convey NRC Europe’s key messages.

BACKGROUND

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a non-governmental, humanitarian organization which provides assistance and protection to people affected by displacement due to conflict. NRC works in 28 countries with approximately 9,000 staff and specialises in five core competencies: shelter, information counselling and legal assistance, education, food security, and water, hygiene and sanitation.

NRC Europe was established in 2005 in order to strengthen the existing relationship between the European Union (EU) and NRC. Since then, the NRC Europe’s team has grown and is now made up of 9 core staff. NRC Europe’s main role is to support NRC, both Headquarters and Country programmes, in its collaboration with the EU institutions and Member States by focusing on fundraising and advocacy activities.

In 2016, NRC Europe has been focussing on building on its achievements and further developing its capacity to engage and influence EU and relevant EU Member States interlocutors.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Support activities:

• Advise and support advocacy efforts targeting the EU initiated by Head Office, Regional and Country Offices or NRC Representation Offices


• Undertake policy analysis aimed at strengthening NRC’s understanding of, and ability to influence relevant EU humanitarian policies and practices and keep NRC updated on relevant developments on the EU scene


• Contribute, in coordination with NRC Geneva office, to the implementation of advocacy plans designed to influence the humanitarian policies and practice of the European institutions as part of overall NRC’s Global Advocacy Strategy


• Support the development of country-specific advocacy strategies in closed collaboration with NRC Geneva and relevant Protection and Advocacy Advisers


• Monitor EU institutions to identify key humanitarian issues pertinent to NRC’s work and advise


• Prepare briefings, speeches, letters and other written materials for internal and external use as agreed


• Organise and manage events and/or visit in Brussels to support NRC’s advocacy objectives when relevant


• Work in close collaboration with NRC Europe Partnership department and support its efforts on the policy side

Development activities:

• Support Head Office, Regional Offices and Country Offices to identify EU funding opportunities for advocacy and protection activities


• Provide guidance and training to staff on advocacy specificities and opportunities of the EU


• Assist NRC’s outreach to European media

Networking activities:

• Contribute to further increasing NRC’s profile at EU level including, when relevant, through strategic use of social media


• Develop and maintain key relationships within the relevant EU institutions


• Lobby Brussels-based politicians and officials in view of achieving NRC’s objectives


• Work closely with other humanitarian NGOs and networks in the context of joint advocacy initiatives at EU level


• Represent NRC in fora as agreed with the Director of NRC Europe

KEY COMPETENCES AND SKILLS

Essential:

Experience:

• Proven experience of developing and implementing successful influencing strategies


• Experience of working as part of an interdependent team and collaborating with colleagues working in different locations


• Track record in policy influencing and knowledge of EU institutions


• Experience of working with senior contacts in the EU


• Experience in the strategic use of social media


• Experience in working in or with NGOs

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Relevant Masters Degree or equivalent qualifications/experience


• Detailed knowledge of the workings of European institutions and processes


• Strong communications skills and fluency in written and spoken Englis


• Understanding of the humanitarian system and knowledge of key EU issues


• Ability to think strategically, and translate this into plans for action and then results


• Strong networking and negotiation skills


• Ability to work autonomously and to tight deadlines

Desirable:

• Field experience


• Working knowledge of French. Competence in other European language(s) is an asset.


• Useful political and institutional contacts in the EU

OTHER

Duty Station: Brussels

Travel: approximately 30 days of travel per year