Policy Advocacy Specialist at ZOA International

ZOA is an international NGO with its Head Quarters in The Netherlands. ZOA offer RELIEF to people who are affected by conflict or natural disasters. ZOA want to contribute to a new perspective of HOPE in which people work together for a promising future in dignity and mutual trust. Together with the affected communities we work on the RECOVERY until they can provide to take care of their livelihoods. ZOA work in fifteen countries in Africa, Middle East Region and Asia and have approximately 1000 employees worldwide.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Policy Advocacy Specialist

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Workhours: Temporary contract
Duration: 40 – 45 hours per week

About the job

• We are seeking a talented energitic person  to join our organization as Policy Advocacy Specialist and support our mission of expanding digital skills to women, hard-to-reach youths and People with Disability (PwD) in Borno and Yobe states.
• The Policy Advocacy Specialist will support local Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in driving the digital transformation agenda in areas of digital governance, economic & financial inclusion, social service delivery and civic engagement in line with the government policy to reach youth, women and People with Disabilities.
• The incumbent will organize high-level engagements with government, private sector and non-profit organizations to horn their appetite in implementing and or supporting the implementation of various digital transformation policies in the country.
• The specialist will conduct policy analysis research, develop policy briefs, facilitate policy round tables and identify relevant instruments for effective policy awareness at all levels of governance.

Responsibilities

• Establish professional relationships/ networks or connections with private sector academia, government and not-for-profit stakeholders pursuing the digital transformation agenda.
• Developing and strengthening targeted CSOs’ capacity to conduct participatory qualitative analyses, including focus group discussions, key informant interviews and user journey mapping, to better understand knowledge, preferences and experiences by women, youths and PwD with economic, social services, and government digital services, products, and delivery channels.
• Enhance CSOs’ awareness of the national and corporate regulations that enable and/or impede targeted socio-economic groups’ ability to access and use digital services and products and build advocacy strategies to create an enabling environment.
• Mobilize CSOs and consortium partners to design, review and implement digital financial capabilities strengthening programs for women & youths self-help groups as a way to increase the utilization of digital financial products and services in the country.
• Identify and connect CSO, Local Government Authority Departments and Schools to public and private sector partners aimed at increasing access to information technology hardware and software products.
• Organise LGA and State Level digital transformation policy round tables with CSOs, digital economy stakeholders (private and public) and International Non-Governmental Organisations to improve policy awareness, agenda setting, advocacy and networking.
• Build and strengthen coalitions among CSOs and develop engagement skills with duty bearers at State and Local Government Level to promote digital transformation sensitive public budgeting to improve access to digital services in hard-to-reach areas and/or groups.
• Engage relevant private sector partners (telecommunications, finance, academia, media etc) in lobbying for multi-co-financing (in-kind or financial) streams to establish and sustain multi-purpose digital hubs established in the strategic location of Borno and Yobe States.
• Facilitate the use of digital platforms among targeted groups to adopt exemplary positive citizenry approaches in championing democratic governance, addressing inequality and raising duty bearers’ attention to service delivery gaps.
• Organize and develop platforms and models to conduct policy awareness to relevant stakeholders, and collaborate with other organizations and government bodies in line with the global digital skills transformation agenda.
• Produce highly informative policy briefs and information products as required.
• Support project visibility and communication using appropriate digital marketing strategies.

Requirements
Knowledge / experience:

• Relevant University Degree (Public Policy, Economics / Development Economics / Public Sector Management / International Development / Law)
• A mature candidate proficient in engaging senior government and private sector officials and has developed professional business communication etiquette (Strongly desired).
• Sound knowledge of Federal and State Policies on digital economic transformation and digital governance. (Strongly desired)
• Knowledge and experience working with Federal, State and Local Government, Private Sector and Non-governmental  Organisations that provide the context for digital skills transformation policy and reforms. Strongly desired
• Demonstrable expertise and solid analytical and research skills in policy and governance issues affecting marginalised youths, women and people with disability.
• Proven experience working in the field of digital transformation in the private sector, government and or non-governmental organisations focusing on policy awareness, advocacy, and CSO capacity strengthening
• Expert in digital skills, digital marketing and social media (highly desired) Ability to write clear and concise reports, policy briefs and research findings.
• Excellent in English in reading, writing, and speaking.
• Excellent spoken and written command of Hausa or Kanuri.

Skills / Attitude:

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Good networking skills.
• Good planning and organizational skills.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Pioneering qualities (taking initiative).
• Result-oriented in a team approach.
• Ability to work individually as well as in a team.
• Ability to work in a multicultural setting.

Identity

• The candidate is to support and promote the identity, vision, and mission of ZOA.

External contacts:

• Community members and community leaders.
• Vendors and contractors.
• Other organizations
• Any other stakeholders in project implementation at the community level.

Internal contacts

• Project Manager, Project Officer, Project staff / Support Staff
• ZOA field office/country office staff

Selection criteria:

• Qualified candidates from Borno State, Maiduguri would be given higher priority. Female qualified candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Working Condition

• The Duty station will be Maiduguri with regular travel to other ZOA’s and its partners’ program LGAs in Borno State and occasional travel to partners’ working locations in Yobe State.

Salary and other terms of employment

• According to ZOA’s salary scale and condition of service. ZOA offers a challenging job, an inspiring motivated team, good benefits, and remuneration which suits the charities sector.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Anti-Corruption and Fraud Clause

• Neither ZOA, nor representatives shall request from applicant (including offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting anything of value or favour) to influence or facilitate the recruitment process. Breach of this clause is considered gross misconduct and can lead contract termination and legal actions.

COTER:

• ZOA Organization has zero tolerance for child exploitation and abuses likewise any involvement with terrorism. ZOA will not engage or will disengage any person or entity that is linked or affiliated with a terrorist group or act of terror. Terrorism check will be conducted before final confirmation.
• ZOA has right to terminate the contract at any time the candidate found or perceive to be affiliated with terrorism.