Advocacy Officer

Background of CEHRO

Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations (CEHRO) is a Consortium of 30 CSOs working on Human Rights, Democracy, and Peace-Building, and registered under the Civil Society Organization Proclamation No. 1113/2011 with Registration No. 3932. CEHRO is working to build the capacity of CEHRO members and key stakeholders, policy level advocacy and broadening civic space in Ethiopia. More information about CEHRO is available at www.cehro.org

The Position: 

CEHRO seeks to hire a passionate and experienced Advocacy Officer with multidisciplinary skills and competencies, in-depth knowledge of human rights, peace-building and democracy. The officer will primarily support CEHRO's work on and around national level and extend support to CEHRO’s other work at regional and global advocacy efforts.  

 The Advocacy Officer position specifically requires someone who is dynamic, strategic, and grounded at the same time. It involves the development and implementation of a comprehensive monitoring strategy to contribute to the inclusivity, transparency, accountability throughout the national dialogue process. The Officer therefore must have strong networking skills and an understanding of the national politics including the pace of the ongoing national dialogue process. 

The Advocacy Officer works with the project coordinatorto develop and implement the organization’s advocacy strategy, focused on ensuring that Local, National, Regional and Global human rights is integrated within policy and funding priorities in the CEHRO and internationally.

Key Responsibilities: 

The Advocacy Officer will be responsible for a range of tasks aimed at advancing CEHRO's mission in Ethiopia, with a focus on regions. The officer will work in close collaboration with CEHRO's coordinators and Management and contribute to various aspects of CEHRO's advocacy and human rights initiatives. The tasks for this position include: 

Advocacy and Networking: 

• Maintain and strengthen strong networks with partners, collaborators, and stakeholders in human rights and justice. Collaborate with the team to develop and implement targeted advocacy campaigns to promote inclusivity and address identified issues. 

• Represent CEHRO in meetings, conferences, and events related to human rights, peace building and democracy issues, including undertaking travel within the regions as required, to engage with members, partners and stakeholders. 

• Support advocacy efforts for policy changes and reforms to address Human rights issues including promoting inclusivity of the national dialogue process.

Communication and Messaging: 

• Develop key messaging and communication materials, including CEHRO’s confidential memos to raise awareness about human rights, democracy and peace-building issues. 

• Provide regular updates and reports on advocacy activities to CEHRO's Management. 

• Engage with the media and utilize various communication channels to amplify the works of CEHRO and members. 

Capacity Building and Training: 

• Provide training and capacity-building sessions on human rights, advocacy, and gender equality to CEHRO members and key stakeholders. 

• Mentor and support emerging leaders and advocates at local level to strengthen their advocacy skills. 

Policy and Documentation: 

• Draft accurate and well-structured reports, briefings, policy briefs, and statements on human rights, peace and democracy issues. 

• Ensure the timely submission of documentation related to advocacy initiatives and projects. 

To secure the financial sustainability of the organization, it may be necessary for individual staff members to commit at least 20% of their time on projects that are specifically designed to raise funds. These projects will be aligned to our programmatic engagements

Hours:  40 hours per week, one year contract with the possibility of extension.

Reports to:  Project Coordinator

Based at:  Addis Ababa with possibility of field travel 

Salary:  Scale with negotiation 

Qualifications

• Minimum BA degree in Journalism, Communication, International Relations, Law, Public Policy, Human Rights, Governance or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• A solid academic and practical human rights and advocacy background is required.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in advocacy, communication, and related work experience. 

• Prior experience in human rights democracy, peace and related frameworks.

• Innovative, energetic, solution-orientated approach to work

Required Skills and Competencies:

• In-depth knowledge of a broad range of international human rights issues, including knowledge of gender equality, inclusion and human rights. 

• Knowledge of international and regional human rights instruments, including those relating to human rights, democracy and peacebuilding. 

• Demonstrated ability to analyze proposed norms and policies accurately for compliance with international human rights standards. 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to draft accurate reports, briefings, policy documents, and statements. 

• Able to grow and nurture connections with different partners and collaborators and build links and trust. 

• Able to develop key messaging and to reflect and present on the issues related to human rights and focus on communities’ voices and struggles. 

• Must be attached to the knowledge production channels around the Africa and Ethiopia. S/he must be able to collect and classify credible data and information and translate it to advocacy messaging. 

•  Strong analytical and critical thinking skills. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Amharic

• In-depth knowledge of Ethiopian social, political, and cultural context. 

• Passion for human rights, social justice, and inclusive dialogue. 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable

• Understanding of, or experience communicating on Ethiopia’s current human rights priorities, including: regional and global coverage

• Knowledge of and experience of CSOs and donor communities

• Experience of working with members of a network and knowledge of how it is different to working in one single organization

• Strong contacts with key actors within CSOs and international actors relevant to Human Rights, Democracy and Peace-building.

• Experience of effectively using the media to build awareness around campaigns

How To Apply

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically at https://forms.gle/rxqeg5EkmHbbEhsd9within five (5) consecutive days from the day of this announcement.

CEHRO is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive positive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, and disability. Women and Persons with Disability applicants are encouraged to apply.

Only candidates that are short-listed will be contacted for exams