Policy and Advocacy Officer

Role

Under the supervision of the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, the Policy and Advocacy Officer is responsible for the preparation of advocacy documents addressing refugee issues including education, psychosocial needs, refugee status determination, resettlement, and community needs in Egypt. Advocacy documents are primarily targeted at UNHCR, IOM, embassies, and other local and international organizations. The Policy and Advocacy Officer works across StARS programs, drawing on the practical experience of StARS staff members, with the objective of preparing practical and evidence-based proposals for reform and improvement of processes and assistance programs relevant to refugees in Egypt.

Responsibilities

All duties are carried out under the supervision of the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator.

Technical

· To draft advocacy documents outlining areas for improvement and proposing practical amendments in processes and assistance programs relevant to refugees in Egypt.

· To maintain good working knowledge of UNHCR Egypt’s policies and procedures and refugee assistance programs administered by partner organizations in Egypt.

· To attend meetings with UNHCR and other partner organizations relating to StARS’s advocacy efforts as appropriate.

· To undertake research to support policy and advocacy efforts and to maintain good working knowledge of the current political and social situations in the countries of origin of RLAP’s clients.

· To maintain familiarity with the protection environment for refugees in Egypt, including gaps in protection and assistance programs.

Programmatic

· To promote greater meaningful inclusion of refugees in decision-making inside and outside of StARS.

· In consultation with the Director of Programs, to determine the areas on which StARS should focus its advocacy efforts.

· To build and maintain relationships with staff from the different StARS programs to ensure collaboration and coordination on StARS’s advocacy efforts.

· To provide information to other members of StARS programs regarding issues facing the urban refugee population in Egypt.

· To attend and contribute to relevant meetings.

Administration

· To undergo probation and regular performance appraisals.

· To finish administrative tasks linked to the position.

Communication/Reporting

· To communicate regularly with the Director of Programs on issues faced by refugees in Egypt.

· To communicate regularly with StARS’s Program Directors regarding protection and other issues faced by refugees in Egypt.

· To provide reporting data to the Director of Programs as requested in order to accurately report work to senior management, funders, and others.

· To promote information-sharing within StARS on all issues affecting the populations we serve.

· Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will be energetic, articulate, and comfortable interacting with diverse segments of society and will have excellent writing and analytical skills. She or he will have demonstrated a firm commitment to human rights and refugee issues.

Essential qualifications

· Education: Bachelor or Master’s degree in a related field (international development, international law, development studies, Middle East Studies). In lieu of these educational requirements, applications will also be accepted from candidates with a minimum of one year relevant work experience.

· English being the official language of UNHCR Egypt and StARS, the Policy and Advocacy Officer must be fluent in oral and written English. Fluency in Arabic or other languages spoken by the main refugee populations in Egypt is an advantage.

· Excellent research and drafting skills.

· Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

· Ability to exercise sound judgment and apply a practical and strategic advocacy approach.

· Knowledge of UNHCR guidelines and procedures and the general protection situation and vulnerabilities of refugees in Egypt.

· A demonstrated commitment to and sensitivity toward vulnerable or displaced people.

· Ability to live and work in a fluid security environment.

· Demonstrated ability to work in a team as well as individually.

Hours: 40 hour work week (Sunday to Thursday) and other hours if required.

Supervised by: Director of Programs

Salary: 7,850 EGP per month, rising to 8,350 EGP per month after the completion of the probationary period (plus 335 EGP monthly medical allowance and 100 EGP monthly pension contribution).

Benefits: StARS official benefit policies as stipulated in StARS Staff Handbook

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV, and brief writing sample to applications@stars-egypt.org Please write “Policy and Advocacy Officer” in the subject line.