ROLE PURPOSE:

The Advocacy and Research officer will play a critical role in supporting the Advocacy, Media and Communications team in delivering quality advocacy work and conducting relevant research. He/she will play a key role in strengthening the quality and impact of Save the Children’s advocacy through informed policy analysis, and support Save the Children in influencing key humanitarian and development policy issues at the national level.

The position holder will primarily support the successful implementation of a research and advocacy initiative by Save the Children focused on child marriage. She/He will closely collaborate with the Advocacy, Media & Communications manager and PDQ teams to support the development and execution of pertinent research and policy papers.

The duration of this position is three months, with the possibility of extension depending on funding availability.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Research and Policy:

• Conduct and support comprehensive policy  on child marriage, both internally and externally.
• Train adolescent girls in research methods to influence policies, emphasizing key messages aimed at ending child marriage.
• Facilitate training sessions for adolescent girls on leadership and advocacy skills.
• Develop policy positions to inform advocacy and communication activities related to mental health, psychosocial support (PSS), and the right to education, particularly in the context of child marriage and gender-based violence.

Advocacy Initiatives:

• Develop and implement advocacy initiatives targeting the elimination of child marriage, integrating mental health and PSS support as core components.
• Empower adolescent girls to lead advocacy efforts and campaigns in their communities, focusing on addressing the root causes of child marriage and promoting girls' rights to education and mental health support.
• Engage with the National Task Force to End under 18 years old marriages and other relevant bodies to present research findings and advocate for policy changes.
• Establish strong working relationships with technical teams to monitor the impact and success of advocacy efforts, ensuring continuous organizational learning.
• Document case studies and success stories related to eliminate child marriage, also to document improvements in implementation with Ministry of Education and Supreme Judge Department.

General:

• Comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to child safeguarding policy, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies
• To perform such other responsibilities as agreed with line manager

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving results together with children and role-modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for self and team, takes responsibility for own personal development and encourages team to do the same
• Widely shares personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future oriented, thinks strategically and on a global scale

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with own team, colleagues, members, donors and partners
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency
• Always acts in the best interests of children

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Postgraduate degree in social science, psychology or communications.
• Relevant experience related to working with youth.
• Excellent research skills both quantitative and qualitative and writing skills.
• Strong training and facilitation skills with relevant experience in conducting capacity building activities.
• Experience in conducting field research and managing local research teams
• Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships quickly with a wide variety of people
• Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure
• Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities
• Good knowledge of current humanitarian and development policy issues
• Knowledge of children’s rights key international agreements and conventions
• Commitment to Save the Children values
• Excellent IT skills, especially in Microsoft Word

*** Qualified male and female candidates are welcome to apply