Advocacy Advisor Multi Country (Nairobi Based) at Norwegian Refugee Council

What you will do:

The Advocacy Advisor plays a pivotal role in shaping NRC’s policy influence and public positioning in Somalia and Kenya, two of the most complex humanitarian contexts globally. Operating at a senior level, the role leads the design and implementation of advocacy and communications strategies, ensuring coherence with country programme priorities and global standards. It provides expert analysis, develops evidence based advocacy products, and represents NRC in key fora, while also building the capacity of staff and partners to amplify the voices of displaced communities. By bridging operational realities with policy engagement, the Advocacy Advisor ensures NRC’s responses are not only impactful on the ground but also contribute to systemic change at national, regional, and international levels.

General Responsibilities:

Identify and coordinate NRC’s advocacy response to prioritised issues both within the country and internationally

Develop and implement an impactful advocacy and communications strategy, aligned with the overall country strategy.

Develop CO media plan and lines, ensuring risk analyses are made regarding public positions or statements and sign-off procedures are adhered to

Line management of communications teams, including development of staff if applicable, budget planning and execution, and other administration

Ensure systematic training on advocacy and communication to develop capacity of all relevant staff (within and beyond the advocacy and media department) and ensure compliance with NRC policies, e.g. informed consent, data protection, social media standards

Specific responsibilities:

Strategically and ethically raise issues and voices of displaced people in Somalia and Kenya to the attention of decision-makers, duty-bearers, and the public, through both traditional and innovative means

Increase accountability of NRC Somalia and Kenya through providing regular and consistent information publicly, about the situations we are responding to and the state of our response (or contributions to coordinated responses)

Contribute to Country Office and Area Office problem, protection, and programme analyses and ‘systems thinking’ with a policy lens and a public interest lens, and subsequently promote that relevant policy, advocacy, and communications elements are integrated when designing responses and strategies

Coordinate and monitor implementation and impact of NRC Somalia, Kenya, etc. advocacy and media plans and strategies

Prepare high quality briefings, reports, press statements, letters, and other communications materials (including visual, digital, and social media) for internal coordination and external use

What you will bring:

Generic professional competencies:

Post-graduate with minimum five years of relevant experience within the humanitarian field or international media/organisations

Must have humanitarian advocacy experience and policy management from different contexts.

Relevant experience in advocacy, communications, media, or humanitarian policy

Experience working in complex and insecure contexts, preferably in the Horn of Africa

Strong understanding of humanitarian coordination architecture and donor environments

Proven experience engaging media and managing sensitive external communications

Experience producing high-level advocacy products and policy analysis.

Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities

High levels of flexibility and creativity

Documented professional experience of working in or with international media

Strong managerial and interpersonal skills

Fluency in English with strong verbal and written communications skills

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience:

Knowledge of international legal and policy processes and instruments relating to displacement, protection, peace/conflict, and humanitarian action

Cogent communication skills, both written and verbal

Aptitude to think creatively and boldly, to engage (potentially hostile) protection and access advocacy targets

What we offer:

Duty station: Nairobi (national contract)

Contract: 24 Months (renewable based on funding and performance)

Travel: 70% of dedicated time to the Somalia country office, including regular visits to Somalia (once every 3 months); 10% dedicated time to the Kenya country office; and 20% travel to other countries in East Africa to be identified.

Salary/benefits: grade 9 on NRC’s national salary scale

NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.

We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

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