JOB VACANCY: Sudan Advocacy Officer

Job Vacancy:      Sudan Advocacy Officer
Start Date:           As soon as possible
Location:              Khartoum – Sudan
Duration:             Initial three months’ probation contract renewable subject to performance
Reports To:         Regional Advocacy and Communications Officer
Supervisor:         Senior Programme Officer – Sudan

I. SIHA BACKGROUND

The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) is a coalition of civil society organizations from Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Somaliland and Uganda. Founded in 1995, the organization advocates for social change and gender equality in the Horn of Africa and works specifically on protecting women’s human rights, promoting women’s access to justice, supporting economic empowerment and activating women’s political participation.

SIHA’s Values:
Equality | Solidarity | Ethical | Diligence | Transparency | Humility | Resilience | Critical-thinking | Discipline | Courageous | Integral | Empathy | Collectiveness | Determination | Rationality | Diversity | Innovation | Democracy | Learning | Self-critical

II. POSITION SUMMARY
The Advocacy Officer (AO) will work within the framework of SIHA’s current and future project activities. The AO’s primary responsibilities will be to support advocacy, research, and visual products related to SIHA’s programs and projects in Sudan. Specific project documentation will be made available to the AO upon hire. The AO will be SIHA’s main coordinator for all elements of the project occurring in and around Khartoum, Sudan in addition to being involved in regional activities as requested by the SIHA Secretariat with direct supervision from Senior Programme Officer, reporting to the Regional Advocacy and Communications Officer.
SIHA is open to equality and inclusiveness in employment

III. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Advocacy and Communications

• Liaise closely with project officers to develop and support advocacy components of SIHA’s current and future projects;
• Work with grassroots communities, including SIHA’s beneficiaries and members, to elevate advocacy priorities and stories from the grassroots;
• Contribute to SIHA newsletters, press statements, research papers, media releases, Facebook page, Twitter, and SIHA website;
• Working closely and monitoring local media and document statements and news that involves violation of women’s rights;
• Work closely with SIHA’s Legal Officer to document cases and do legal advocacy;
• Maintain awareness of security consideration

Research

• Provide input into SIHA’s current and future research projects;
• Contribute to research publications related to Sudan, including formal research reports as well as position papers, briefings, and other smaller publications;
• Write and edit research and project reports; use reports to inform advocacy efforts and priorities;
• Through working with grassroots communities and with SIHA project officers, regularly identify needs and opportunities related to prospective research that is relevant to current needs in Sudan and to SIHA’s strategy; 
• Monitor relevant calls for papers/research and alert SIHA to potential opportunities to carry out research or present research;
• Maintain close connections with SIHA beneficiaries and members in order to identify relevant issues for research;

Visual Products

• Lead coordination of SIHA’s current and future visual and creative products, including documentaries and films, visual media, and campaigns;
• Work closely with SIHA beneficiaries and local communities to find creative ways for them to tell their own stories; using visual and creative means to represent women’s perspectives and needs In Sudan in connection with SIHA’s advocacy and research priorities;
• Identify opportunities for SIHA to creatively engage in current issues in Sudan related to advocacy and research priorities;
• Create and maintain an active, detailed database of artists and videographers who have supported or can support SIHA’s work in Sudan;

Other

• Assist with other job-related duties as required by SIHA management and other colleagues on the team; 
• Work closely with SIHA Sudan Program Coordinator and provide assistance and support as needed;
• Participate, as requested, in SIHA meetings, trainings, and events;

IV. KEY QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• University-level education in human rights, women’s rights, project management, development / humanitarian studies, gender studies, law, or a related field;
• Experience working on advocacy and/or research in the human rights / non-governmental organization sector, with ability to provide relevant references;
• Expressed interested in gender and women’s rights / empowerment and improving the conditions of women and girls in the Horn of Africa;
• Hard-worker, with ability to put in extra hours during peak periods of activity;
• Proven knowledge of local-level political / social / cultural dynamics;
• Proven knowledge of local-level stakeholders, persons of influence, and the ability to liaise
  with these actors in reference to SIHA work in the region;
• Ability to travel regionally as required;
• Punctual, attentive, and enthusiastic;

V. TO APPLY:
Interested Candidates are asked to provide their current CV and Cover Letter, expressing her/his motivation in applying and relevant experience/expertise, to SIHA’s Human Resources Department humanresourcesiha@gmail.com before 29th May 2019. Please enter “Application Materials: Sudan Advocacy Officer” as the subject line. Due to the anticipated volume of applications, please note that SIHA will
contact only shortlisted candidates.

We thank you for your interest in joining SIHA!
SIHA is open to equality and inclusiveness in employment. We are committed to values and principles of democracy.