Save the Children Advocacy and Communication Coordinator Kenyan Job

Save the Children has a long history of engagement in Somalia and in Somaliland stretching as far back as 1954. In more recent times (since 1992) Save the Children UK has maintained an operational office in Hiran Region in what is now called the Central South Zone of Somalia (CSS) and since 2000, both Save the Children Denmark and UK have been working in Somaliland.

In response to the Tsunami that hit the coast of Puntland in 2004 Save the Children UK established an office in Puntland State and continues to undertake programmes from this office while Save the Children Denmark in Puntland works through partners.

In the past two years Save the Children Finland has been financially supporting the work of both Save the Children Denmark and UK in Somalia/Somaliland.

The current interventions of the organisations broadly consist of child protection; education including skills training and employment and child survival (emergency, health and livelihood).

It is planned that the programmes being run or supported by Save the Children Denmark, Finland and United Kingdom will follow the global initiative of the Save the Children Alliance and will unify by January 2010 with Save the Children UK as the managing member.

This will increase significantly the work being carried out currently by any single member and will lead to a much larger and complex single programme.

For this reason it has been decided that all senior management positions will be advertised and this Job Description relates to a new position for Advocacy and Communication Coordinator.

This position makes up part of the Partnership and Quality Programming team of the overall SC’s program in Somalia / Somaliland.

Job Purpose

The Advocacy and Communication Coordinator is responsible for identifying advocacy issues, preparing and implementing advocacy plans, documentation and communicating lessons and good practice from implementing programs to various users.

In addition, the coordinator is responsible for building the capacity of staff of SC in identifying and undertaking advocacy initiatives aimed at changing practices and policies for betterment of children’s lives.

Key Accountabilities

• Play an active role in developing an advocacy strategy of Save the Children program in Somalia/Somaliland
• Identify key policy and practice related advocacy issues in relation to the situation of children and the programs of Save the Children in Somalia/Somaliland. This include undertaking analysis of the work of SC and/or the sector of children in Somalia/Somaliland in light of advocacy and initiate any possible changes that could improve both the work of SC and the lives of children.
• To undertake a stakeholders analysis of key players in Somalia and Somaliland and identify potential partners with whom we can work closely in advocacy initiatives.
• Through extensive networking with partners map out the work and plans of other stakeholders in respect to identified areas of advocacy and suggest possible ways of collaboration and/or addressing the issue by SC.
• Develop an advocacy plan in consultation with managers and coordinators of various themes and ensure implementation of the same
• Document lessons and good practices from programs of SC and communicate them with various stakeholders including donors, children, partners and other general users. This includes ensuring that SC’s advocacy efforts are supported by evidence and experience obtained from implementation of programs.
• Build the capacity of project staff in documenting and communicating lessons and good practices, carrying out practice and policy analysis, identifying and developing advocacy messages, planning and implementing advocacy plans. In this to secure the support of the information and communications officer who is based in Hargeisa
• Work closely with information and communication officer in documentation and sharing of lessons learned.
• Work closely with thematic coordinators and program managers in developing project proposals and ensure that proposals include sufficient advocacy components
• Represent Save the Children in various advocacy fora.
• Perform other tasks as requested by his/her immediate supervisor.

Working Contacts

Internal: All staff members in the SC Somalia/Somaliland program in general, program managers and thematic coordinators in particular

External: Partners and other important stakeholders

Person Specification

• Degree in social science, human rights, development, journalism etc.
• At least four years experience in documentation, communication and advocacy works
• Strong ability in analyzing the situation of children using the child rights programming/principles framework
• Experience in policy and practice analysis and implementing advocacy initiatives aimed at bringing changes in these areas
• Strong inter-organisational skills such as networking, negotiation and communication.
• Willing and able to travel up to 50% of the time to Somalia/Somaliland to support field teams as security permits
• Strong computer skills to produce advocacy documents and document and communicate good practices.

Code of Conduct

Because Save the Children's work is based on deeply held values and principles, it is essential that our commitment to children's rights and humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all members of staff.

Save the Children's Code of Conduct sets out the standards.

Applications should be forwarded to: vacancies@scsom.org

This position is only open to Kenyan nationals.

Only short listed individuals will be notified.

Application Closing Date: Monday 26th Dec 2011, 15:00 pm