Evidence to Advocacy Specialist: Conflict and Crisis-Affected Settings Full Time NEW

Please note: There is one vacancy for the Evidence to Advocacy: Conflict and Crisis-Affected Settings position, which can be based in either Nairobi or Dakar. Candidates must already have the right to work in the location for which they apply and for a minimum of two years.

INTRODUCTION TO GIRLS NOT BRIDES

Girls Not Brides is the only global organisation uniquely focused on creating and sustaining a worldwide movement to end child, early and forced marriage and unions (CEFMU) and ensuring that this movement leads to tangible change for the girls at risk or affected by the practice. We are a network of more than 1,400 civil society organisations in over 100 countries working in partnership to end child marriage.

Our vision is a world without child marriage where girls and women enjoy equal status with boys and men and can achieve their full potential in all aspects of their lives. Our vision challenges deeply embedded social norms that harm the lives of girls, women and their communities.

INTRODUCTION TO THE ROLE

We are seeking an experienced individual to lead Girls Not Brides work on influencing, evidence and learning and technical support on CEFMU in conflict and crisis-affected settings. The role will play a leading role in strengthening and sharing evidence and raising awareness of child marriage in conflict and crisis-affected settings. They will catalyse stronger and more coordinated collective efforts to prevent and respond to child marriage in conflict and crisis-affected settings, working with and influencing key sectors and actors including civil society, UN agencies, and others.

The role-holder will work closely with regional teams to ensure this work is informed by the experiences, knowledge and priorities of Girls Not Brides members. This role sits within the Learning, Evidence and Impact Directorate, with a dotted line to the External Engagement team.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for a dynamic professional with in-depth experience in the humanitarian and development sector. You have a deep understanding of evidence-based strategies and programmatic approaches to improve the lives of adolescent girls living in conflict- and/or crisis-affected settings with thematic and policy expertise on gender equality and/or child rights in humanitarian settings. You have strong relationships across the global humanitarian coordination system, among UN agencies, and key sectors including GBV, child protection, education and SRHR sectors, and a comprehensive understanding of the policy and funding landscape. You are an experienced advocate and influencer, who understands the priorities and motivations of actors working in conflict and crisis settings. You have strong experience of working with and convening different sector actors, including civil society organisations in different contexts.

Job location

Nairobi (Kenya) or Dakar (Senegal)

The successful candidate must already have the right to work in the location for which they apply (Nairobi or Dakar) and for a minimum of two years.

Fluency in English is essential for this role.

Working as a global team, all Girls Not Brides’ team members may from time to time be expected to work outside normal working hours (e.g. early morning or early evening); this is not a regular occurrence and is only to accommodate collaboration of teams across different time zones.

This role may require regular international travel, as necessary.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead on ensuring the latest evidence on child marriage in conflict and crisis settings informs humanitarian policy and practice

• Establish and maintain a regularly-updated record of research and evidence on child marriage in conflict and crisis-affected contexts, including learnings and case studies from Girls Not Brides members
• Synthesise key evidence, learning, and trends and develop products such as briefings, key messages, case studies, and other content to support influencing efforts and member learning
• Build and maintain relationships with key external practitioners and researchers, NGOs / civil society, women’s rights organisations and UN agencies across regions affected by conflict and crises to monitor the latest evidence and approaches and contribute learning and evidence from Girls Not Brides
• Represent Girls Not Brides in relevant regional research and advocacy networks with a focus on strengthening regional coordinated advocacy efforts and identifying research priorities and gaps.

Lead evidence-based influencing in global/cross-regional spaces to catalyse a stronger coordinated response to preventing and responding to child marriage in conflict and crisis-affected settings

Coordinating with the Advocacy team:

• Lead on the development and implementation of an evidence-based influencing agenda on child marriage in conflict and crisis-affected settings, particularly focused on global/cross-regional spaces and/or regional spaces where agreed with Regional teams.
• Identify and leverage advocacy moments, policy windows, and other opportunities to ensure prioritisation of child marriage within humanitarian prevention and response.
• Identify and represent Girls Not Brides in relevant advocacy networks and coalitions to contribute to joined-up influencing across actors on this theme.
• Leverage opportunities to integrate conflict/crisis setting messaging and asks into wider advocacy and policy documents, as appropriate and strategic.

Support Girls Not Brides members and National/State Partnerships in their (collective) work on child marriage prevention and response in conflict and crisis-affected settings.

In collaboration with Regional Teams:

• Analyse and map the focus areas, evidence, and expertise of relevant Girls Not Brides’ members, National/State Partnerships and coalitions on prevention and response to CEFMU in conflict and crisis settings.
• Convene Girls Not Brides’ members and key stakeholders across sectors to share and promote the uptake of the latest evidence and learning on what works to prevent and respond to child marriage and support married girls.
• Support regional teams to strengthen support for members to influence and engage with humanitarian actors in relation to child marriage.
• Work with the Partnership and Regional teams to identify potential new members for Girls Not Brides from the humanitarian sector, especially those working at national and sub-national levels.

Actively contribute to the broader work of the Girls Not Brides Secretariat

• Contribute to tracking relevant progress against Girls Not Brides key performance indicators related to its learning and influencing work.
• Contribute to development of funding proposals as requested.
• Represent Girls Not Brides at relevant events and meetings.
• Support global and regional evidence-based advocacy priorities and efforts.

Wider organisational responsibilities

• Commit to the mission and vision of Girls Not Brides, putting these at the forefront of all planning, work and actions.
• Uphold the core values of Girls Not Brides in all areas of work and interactions with colleagues, members, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Comply with Girls Not Brides’ policies and processes, with note for safeguarding, diversity and inclusion, the code of conduct and data protection.
• Ensure that internal databases and monitoring information are kept fully up-to-date.
• Commit to ongoing personal development and learning.
• Fulfil any other reasonable requests for the advancement of Girls Not Brides.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential experience

• Significant experience working on gender equality, girls’ rights and/or child marriage in humanitarian settings, in a similar level role in the not-for-profit sector, an international/intergovernmental organisation, a social movement, research centre or social enterprise.
• In-depth knowledge and experience of strategies and approaches to improve the lives of adolescent girls living in conflict and/or crisis-affected settings with thematic and policy expertise on gender equality and/or child rights.
• Experience of inter-agency working and ability to convene partners from different sectors and backgrounds.
• Significant experience working across cultures, geographies, and time zones; professional and/or lived experience in conflict or crisis-affected settings is highly valued.
• Experience of working with a wide range of civil society organisations – from international NGOs to small grassroots organisations; knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing civil society organisations, particularly women’s rights organisations.

Essential skills and knowledge

• An in-depth understanding of the humanitarian sector, including how funding and prioritisation take place in humanitarian response across key actors.
• Excellent collaboration and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to persuade and inspire others.
• Outstanding written communication and the ability to write for different audiences and to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner.
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to prioritise and deliver results when faced with competing demands, time constraints and unanticipated events.
• Strategic planning and project management skills.
• A keen eye for accuracy and attention to detail.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office tools particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Ability to build strong relationships while working remotely.

Essential values and attributes

• Knowledge and experience of intersectional gender analysis and its application in programming, influencing, movement building, research and governance and a proven commitment to embody and advance gender equality.
• Strong commitment to the mission and values of Girls Not Brides and our vision in relation to addressing child marriage and gender justice.
• Skilled team worker with an inclusive and collaborative approach, in line with Girls Not Brides’ values.
• Willingness to work flexibly and regularly travel internationally, as necessary.

Tagged as: Girls Not Brides, Kenya, Senegal