Advocacy Advisor Multi Country

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an international humanitarian organization working in Somalia and Kenya to protect the rights of displaced and vulnerable people during crises. It aims to meet immediate humanitarian needs, prevent further displacement, and contribute to durable solutions.

The humanitarian situation in Somalia and Kenya remains severe due to ongoing conflict, economic pressures, climate shocks, disease outbreaks, mass displacement, and dwindling humanitarian funding. NRC operates in Somalia to safeguard the rights of displaced and vulnerable populations during crises, addressing immediate humanitarian needs, preventing further displacement, and fostering durable solutions. The Advocacy Advisor will play a pivotal role in shaping NRC's policy influence and public positioning within these highly complex humanitarian contexts. This position requires providing expert analysis, developing evidence-based advocacy materials, representing NRC in key forums, and building the capacity of staff and partners to amplify the voices of displaced communities. The advisor ensures that NRC’s responses are not only effective on the ground but also contribute to systemic change at national, regional, and international levels.

1. Identify and coordinate NRC’s advocacy response to prioritized issues both within the country and internationally.
2. Develop and implement an impactful advocacy and communications strategy, aligned with the overall country strategy.
3. Develop the Country Office media plan and lines, ensuring risk analyses are conducted for public positions or statements and sign-off procedures are adhered to.
4. Provide line management for communications teams, including staff development, budget planning and execution, and other administrative tasks.
5. Ensure systematic training on advocacy and communication to develop the capacity of all relevant staff and ensure compliance with NRC policies, such as informed consent, data protection, and social media standards.
6. Strategically and ethically raise the issues and voices of displaced people in Somalia and Kenya to the attention of decision-makers, duty-bearers, and the public, using both traditional and innovative methods.
7. Increase the accountability of NRC Somalia and Kenya by providing regular and consistent public information about the situations being responded to and the status of NRC’s response or contributions to coordinated responses.
8. Contribute to Country Office and Area Office problem, protection, and program analyses with a policy and public interest lens, subsequently promoting the integration of relevant policy, advocacy, and communications elements when designing responses and strategies.
9. Coordinate and monitor the implementation and impact of NRC Somalia, Kenya, etc. advocacy and media plans and strategies.
10. Prepare high-quality briefings, reports, press statements, letters, and other communications materials, including visual, digital, and social media, for both internal coordination and external use.

1. Post-graduate degree with a minimum of five years of relevant experience within the humanitarian field or international media/organizations.
2. Must possess humanitarian advocacy experience and policy management from different contexts.
3. Relevant experience in advocacy, communications, media, or humanitarian policy.
4. Experience working in complex and insecure contexts, preferably in the Horn of Africa.
5. Strong understanding of humanitarian coordination architecture and donor environments.
6. Proven experience engaging with media and managing sensitive external communications.
7. Experience producing high-level advocacy products and policy analysis.
8. Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities.
9. High levels of flexibility and creativity.
10. Documented professional experience of working in or with international media.
11. Strong managerial and interpersonal skills.
12. Fluency in English with strong verbal and written communication skills.
13. Knowledge of international legal and policy processes and instruments relating to displacement, protection, peace/conflict, and humanitarian action.
14. Cogent communication skills, both written and verbal.
15. Aptitude to think creatively and boldly to engage potentially hostile protection and access advocacy targets.