JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Description: Senior Policy Advisor
Reports to: Advocacy and Campaigns Director
Department: Advocacy and Campaigns
Hours: 40 hours per week
Location: ONZ Wellington Office
Responsible for: Advocacy interns
Grade: 17
BACKGROUND
Oxfam is a global movement of people working together for a future without poverty. We give a hand up, not a hand out – to create positive change that lasts.
Oxfam works in three ways: we respond to emergencies, saving lives and helping survivors recover; we provide people with the skills and resources to lift themselves out of poverty; and we advocate and campaign to change the unjust policies that keep people in poverty.
The role of Senior Policy Advisor sits in the Advocacy and Campaigns (A+C) Directorate, a small team with a Wellington advocacy function, and an Auckland based campaigns function. Contract staff, interns and volunteers are also employed from time to time to undertake specific tasks to support the team’s activities.
As a global confederation, Oxfam’s A+C priorities are set internationally. Current calls include
· an end to extreme inequality (including work on tax havens, fiscal justice, gender discrimination and land rights),
· a right to life, dignity and security (in the context of disasters and conflict, climate adaptation, refugee crises and ending violence against women and girls),
· an urgent action to close the accountability gap (through building effective governance, holding duty bearers to account, empowering citizens and protecting civil society organisation space).
As a smaller member of the Oxfam network, Oxfam New Zealand has prioritised this global agenda. For the Senior Policy Advisor, key current areas of focus include the impacts of climate change, regional trade agreements and New Zealand’s role as a member of the United Nations Security Council.
JOB PURPOSE
The Senior Policy Advisor is responsible for:
· Providing research and policy analysis on ONZ’s advocacy issues to all relevant actors, including parliamentarians, government officials, business leaders, and representatives of NGOs,
· Developing and maintaining effective and respected relationships that support the achievement of ONZ’s advocacy goals with all relevant actors, including parliamentarians, government officials, business leaders, and representatives of NGOs,
· Monitoring, informing and influencing policies of the New Zealand government that are relevant to achieving both ONZ’s advocacy goals as well as ONZ’s wider work.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Monitor and take appropriate action on new and ongoing developments in ONZ’s priority advocacy goals. This involves developing a clear understanding of the principal decision-making processes in New Zealand that are relevant to ONZ’s advocacy work.
2. Undertake outreach and briefings for politicians, officials and government advisers to build strong relationships with the New Zealand government’s ministers and officials, and key actors in the private sector, academia, research institutes and civil society, working closely with the Advocacy and Campaigns Director and the Executive Director.
3. Analyse current and emerging policy in order to both critique and propose policy alternatives in accordance with ONZ’s advocacy goals. This includes preparation of submissions to the government on policy issues and policy papers to influence public debates and government policy on key issues, which includes presentation of submissions to select committees and other relevant forums where appropriate.
4. Create opportunities (such as seminars, events and meetings) to enable yourself, the Advocacy and Campaigns Director, Executive Director and other Oxfam representatives and partners to contribute to and influence public and political debate on key advocacy issues.
5. Stay abreast of Oxfam International (OI) policy work, contribute to OI policy development, publications, planning and strategy, and liaise with Oxfam International/affiliate counterparts working on policy and research. Provide advice to the Advocacy and Campaigns Director as part of the sign-off process.
6. Lead collaborative relationships with Wellington-based civil society allies, partners, coalitions, and networks, to contribute to achieving ONZ’s main advocacy aims and ONZ’s wider aims.
7. Work closely with the ONZ Campaign Coordinator and Advocacy and Campaign Director to mobilise New Zealand civil society in popular public campaigning actions on the priority advocacy issues.
8. Liaise with relevant members of the Programme team and the Pacific Regional Policy Advisor on advocacy issues to help build the advocacy capacity of civil society in Oxfam’s countries of operation, including ONZ’s field staff and partners.
9. Liaise with the Communications team on advocacy issues to help engage media, develop communications products, and ensure that the website is up-to-date, accurate and provides opportunities for the public to learn more about ONZ’s advocacy work.
10. Recruit and manage interns and volunteers to undertake specific tasks relating to priority advocacy issues, with the support of the Human Resources Manager.
11. Undertake and participate in regular planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning by ONZ Advocacy and Campaigns team.
12. Contribute to overall ONZ work, including managing the Wellington office space to facilitate visits by ONZ staff and outreach to the public in Wellington and liaison with Wellington-based civil society and government Departments.
13. Be ONZ’s Health and Safety focal person for the Wellington office, which includes ensuring compliance with relevant policies and NZ legislation.
15. Undertake any other tasks or projects that are assigned by the Advocacy and Campaigns Director that are in keeping with the responsibilities of this role.
COMPETENCIES
Technical Knowledge and Skills
· Strong research and policy analysis experience, preferably on climate change and/or other issues relevant to Oxfam’s priority advocacy goals
· Experience in representing evidence based policy and research positions to senior level stakeholders, internally and externally
· Experience of managing or being part of an integrated campaign that links research and lobbying with public campaigning
· Sound knowledge of the cultural, economic, environmental, political, and social context in New Zealand and the wider Pacific
· A good understanding of social justice and international development issues, particularly those affecting the Pacific region
· Knowledge of the New Zealand political system and experience in political analysis and of providing advice in a political environment
· A tertiary qualification to at least Masters level in a relevant discipline (development studies, economics, law, political science) or a comparable level of professional experience
· Experience of working in the international development sector is highly desirable
Professional Skills
· Political judgement and ability to gain respect from peers and leaders from civil society, government and other sectors of society
· Ability to understand complex issues, review policy documents, and distil key findings
· Ability to work effectively in coalition/partnership with other organisations
· Computer literate, including ability to use the Internet for research
· Ability to develop cooperative relationships with others in coalitions and to work collaboratively with colleagues and allies
· Insight and clarity about complex policy issues, ability to analyse the leverage points for change and develop innovative alternatives
Personal Attributes
· Excellent communication and influencing skills verbally and in writing
· Strong interpersonal and relationships management skills
· Tact, diplomacy and tolerance for different perspectives and opinions
· Strong organisational skills
· Ability to deliver work on time and to a high standard
· Ability to work independently and to be self-managing
· Cultural sensitivity and acceptance of diverse opinions and perspectives
· Flexible, adaptable and willing to take the initiative
· A demonstrated commitment to ONZ mission and values
· Willingness to travel and work flexible hours
TRAVEL
There will be regular travel to ONZ’s head office in Auckland and some regional travel required for meetings, research and events. This may include travel to areas that may be subject to civil conflict, natural disasters or social unrest. All ONZ staff are required to heed the advice of local staff and local authorities in relation to security issues, and follow ONZ’s security guidelines. Staff must be prepared to use their judgement to avoid undue risks to themselves and to make assessments of potential hazards or danger during field visits in the knowledge that ONZ will always respect and support a decision to continue or withdraw from any part of a field visit for reasons related to personal security.
TIME OFF IN LIEU (TOIL)
The role may require occasional evening and weekend working for which time off in lieu (TOIL) will be granted in accordance with ONZ’s TOIL policy.
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December 2015