Advocacy Manager in Ukraine

Job Description

Location: Ukraine, based in Kyiv with frequent visits to eastern Ukraine, mainly Sloviansk for coordination with program colleagues, and possible travel to non-government-controlled areas.

Possibility of family posting.

Starting date: ASAP

Duration: 12 months with the possibility of extension

People in Need (PIN) is a Czech Republic-based NGO working in the relief and development sectors. PIN opened its humanitarian response in Eastern Ukraine in early August 2014 and the programs have been rapidly expanding since then. Currently, PIN is a major humanitarian actor in eastern Ukraine and continues to provide neutral and independent humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected people.

Since 2017, advocacy has been a key component of PIN assistance in eastern Ukraine. Besides PIN-only activities, which have so far mainly focused on WASH issues, PIN is also the advocacy lead of the ACCESS Consortium, a platform of NGOs (PIN, MdM, ACTED, REACH, HelpAge and Right to Protection) providing multi-sectorial humanitarian assistance in eastern Ukraine including. Under the leadership of PIN Advocacy Manager, the ACCESS Consortium advocates for the rights of the conflict-affected people, focusing on issues related to freedom of movement across the contact line, humanitarian access, and protection of civilians. To achieve those objectives the ACCESS Consortium coordinates on agreed-on set of policy messages and disseminates them reaching out to decision makers in Ukraine and abroad through: international conferences, exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad, briefings to donors and diplomats, development of advocacy tools such as videos and factsheets, and advocacy trips to relevant capitals.

PIN representative office is located in Kyiv. PIN’s field office in Sloviansk functions as the main base for PIN’s humanitarian operations in the government-controlled area and supporting office for the PIN field office in Stakhanov/ Kadiivka (Luhansk NGCA). PIN works in urban and rural locations, providing assistance to IDPs and other conflict-affected populations within the Shelter/NFI, WASH, Food Security, Protection and Livelihoods sectors. Total volume of the current programs is around 7 million USD funded by ECHO, OFDA, DFID, UNHCR and other donors. Currently, in the context of eastern Ukraine, PIN seeks to achieve a smooth transition - where possible - from emergency humanitarian assistance towards early and longer-term recovery, stabilization and peacebuilding efforts in the region. Humanitarian aid will continue to be provided to the most vulnerable people affected by the conflict, notably along both sides of the contact line and in NGCA.

For PIN’s activities in Ukraine, please see more at https://www.clovekvtisni.cz/en/humanitary-aid/country/ukraine.

The Advocacy Manager reports directly to the Country Director, and coordinates closely with Communications Manager, Programs Director and Emergency Coordinator, as well as works closely with the Head of ACCESS Consortium.

The Advocacy Manager is coordinating closely with the members of the Consortium (five INGOs and one NNGO) and stakeholders involved in the advocacy in Ukraine and internationally. He/she represents PIN at the meetings with donors, government partners, diplomatic missions and regional and local authorities.

The Advocacy Manager is responsible for the effective and strategic advocacy of the mission. S/he also leads the advocacy of a consortium of NGOs led by People in Need.

PIN advocacy: Definition, development and implementation of PIN advocacy strategy in Ukraine, in close cooperation with program teams and in line with PIN Country Strategy and PIN RDD Strategy (40%). Tasks include:

• Ensure direct implementation of PIN advocacy activities in coordination with programs; organize and lead monthly CAT/programs coordination meetings;
• Ensure that PIN global advocacy objectives and activities are aligned with Ukraine level operations and help support, promote or scale them up;
• Ensure that PIN advocacy messages are based on field evidence and disseminated to key stakeholders in Ukraine and at the international level, and help voice key concerns about the rights, needs and aspirations of communities;
• Support and enhance advocacy capacity in PIN Ukraine mission.

ACCESS Consortium advocacy: Leading the advocacy of the ACCESS Consortium, in close coordination with all partners, including the management of advocacy partners activities (40%). Tasks include:

• In close cooperation with partners, as the Advocacy Lead of ACCESS Consortium, lead the development, review and implementation (international and national events, briefings in-country and advocacy trips, development of advocacy messages, etc.) of ACCESS Consortium advocacy strategy, by identifying the capacity and added value of ACCESS;
• Support ACCESS partners in their advocacy activities as Consortium partners when needed;
• Ensure coordination of advocacy reporting among partners with advocacy capacity.

• Proven senior experience on similar position in humanitarian and/ or development sector
• Specific knowledge of advocacy design and approaches
• Sound understanding of principles of humanitarian work
• Experience in organizing international advocacy events on high level
• Excellent communication skills and cultural sensitivity
• Multi-partners advocacy coordination experience
• Coordination, facilitation and presentation skills
• Solid experience in representation and networking
• Fluent in English, Ukrainian and/ or Russian would be an asset.
• Knowledge/experience of the region is an advantage
• Mature, well-balanced personality able to work independently in challenging environment

• Salary as per PIN salary scale (per diems included): 2800 – 3200 EUR, depending on the seniority grade
• Professional coaching program for senior managers
• Accommodation allowance covering the cost of rental in Kyiv; PIN guest house in visited locations
• Reimbursement of travel expenses with travel to the country of residence once per every 6 months of work
• Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations; assistance with visa application procedure
• Medical helpdesk and psychological consultation available online
• Medical travel insurance
• 25 days of paid leave annually (over time compensated proportionally 1:1)

Are you interested in this position? Send us your CV and short cover letter. Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled.

People in Need staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need Code of conduct and key policies (available at: www.peopleinneed.cz/policies).

About the Organization

The People in Need organization was established in 1992 by a group of Czech war correspondents who were no longer satisfied with merely relaying information about ongoing conflicts and began sending out aid. It gradually became established as a professional humanitarian organization striving to provide aid in troubled regions and support adherence to human rights around the world.

Throughout the 25 years of its existence, People in Need has become one of the biggest non-profit organizations in Central Europe. In addition to humanitarian aid and human rights, it now also targets education and helps people living in social exclusion.

We are part of Alliance2015, a strategic network of seven European non-governmental organizations engaged in humanitarian aid and development projects. This collaboration increases effectivity both in working in the target countries and in campaigns aimed at influencing the attitudes of politicians and the general public in Europe.