Head of Public Engagement & Influencing at Oxfam Nigeria

Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 organizations (affiliates) networked together in 94 countries, as part of a global movement for change. Together we are working to achieve our vision of 'a just world without poverty' and to be a powerful partner in global and local communities of people connected for change.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Public Engagement & Influencing (C1 - National)

Location: Abuja (With possible travel to North East)

Job Description

• This newly created position otters the right candidate an opportunity to play a key strategic and operational role in implementing Oxfam Nigeria’s campaign, advocacy, media nd communication platforms in order to promote programs and change policies In delivering on Oxfam’s World Wide Influencing Strategy (WIN) to address the root causes of poverty

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Strategic Leadership of our Public Engagement & Influencing Unit:

• Develop long-term vision and strategic planning, long-term research strategies to achieve significant impact on Oxfams public engagement and influencing work from research, policy and advocacy
• Lead and coordinate the development of Oxfams Nigeria’s Public engagement and Influencing Strategy that embodies the One Oxfam’s Program Approach addressing inequality in the food system, on gender and rights in crisis and addressing transparency in public and private governance systems in line with a new and highly complex environment
• Lead on synergy on all Oxfam’s Nigeria Public engagement and influencing strands of work ensuring that the build on each other both geographically and thematically
• Oversee the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of strategies and projects with a public and Win focus
• Responsible for identifying policy gaps and opportunities to affect change within or through the Nigeria Government, and directing the development of policy in priority areas of Oxfam Nigeria’s work

Provide Specialist Technical Advice On:

• Political context and relevant policies of major political parties; Public Service and operations of specific government departments and agencies
• Ensure direct link between Oxfam Nigeria’s programme work and our media coverage through familiarisation with Oxfam’s work on the ground and the development of stories to be used in media work for advocate campaign and fundraising.

Program, Project and Partnership Management:

• Actively work with national programs asid partners to build research capacity of Country Program teams and Partners staff and develop effective, evidence-based campaigns
• Ensure Oxfam quality and compliance standards and the integration of good practices in the Public Engagement and Influencing program in close liaison with Oxfams technical advisers and Project Manager from the regional platform and affiliates headquarters, and the wider team in the Abuja office
• Ensure Oxfam’s gender justice and gender mainstreamin in the full cycle of project and program management and guarantee verifiable result achievement related to Oxfams gender objectives.
• Develop and facilitate cooperation with civil society organizations (including non-implementing partners), the pci- vale and public sector, media, philanthropic, academic and other knowledge institutions.
• Represent Oxfam at the various coordination platforms at national and regional levels ensuring compatibility with overall commitments and policy/project priorities

Financial Management:

• Direct responsibility for budget management of up to 2- 4 million F.UR project per year including significant donor funds
• Manage all revenue streams related to public engagement and Influencing to maximize contributions to Oxfam.

Educational, Experience and Competencies
Essential:

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Project Management or other relevant discipline. Relevant work experience maybe considered.
• First degree in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Administration in development, Public Policy, Administration or a relevant subject
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience of leading and providing strategic oversight of public engagement and influencing with the objective of bringing about policy and practice changes
• In-depth understanding of the economic, political and social causes and dynamics of poverty, vulnerability and inequality and a familiarity with policy issues related to the creation or reduction of poverty, vulnerability and inequality
• Delivery orientation and ability to inspire and work collaboratively and build cohesive relationships with others to achieve outcomes
• Well-developed conceptual, critical, and analytical thinking with the ability to convey complex information in a straightforward way and influencing this to a wider audience
• Knowledge of Africa and global media; Ability to apply knowledge of internal and external environment to complex media and representational issues.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal English) and the ability to write clear, concise reports

Essential Competence:

• Commitment to Oxfams overall aims and policies arid experience of promoting women’s rights and the interests of marginalized people in all aspects of Oxfams work
• Knowledge or appreciation of Nigeria in terms of its political economic and social trends plus a good understanding of the key development and humanitarian issues in the region.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) and report writing skills. Good analytical skills and experience using a computerised information management system (Ms. Word, Excel, Accounting/work related software etc.)

Desirable:

• Knowledge and / or experience of common Oxfam norms objects, standards and tools

What We Offer
Oxfam (Novib) is committed to providing you with a competitive, fair, and comprehensive pay and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors.

Application Closing Date
16th June, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should email an application letter and CV as one Word Document or PDF attachment to: [email protected] with the position title as the subject of the email

Note

• For more information please send an email to: [email protected]
• Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately as suitable candidates may be shortlisted and interview prior to closing date. Only applications sent in the required format will considered.