Senior Humanitarian and Education Advocacy Advisor

The Opportunity

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as the Senior Humanitarian and Education Advocacy Advisor in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 

ROLE PURPOSE: 

Humanitarian and Education Advisory will lead our influencing work in the African Union (AU) on humanitarian issues, peace and security and education – engaging widely with the AU Commission and delegations, and civil society organisations active in this arena. He or she will make a key contribution to our global advocacy success in these thematic areas, especially our organisational breakthrough of ensuring that children in humanitarian crises have access to a quality education.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Director, AU Global Advocacy Office/AU Liaison and Pan Africa Office

Staff reporting to this post: Humanitarian and Education Advocacy Advisor

Key internal relationships: Advocacy Office Director; Child Rights Governance Advisor, Humanitarian Advocacy Working Group; Education Global Initiative Advocacy Working Group; Advocacy staff in Africa regional and country offices; Humanitarian Advocacy Advisers in other Save the Children global advocacy offices; Save the Children members and Humanitarian and Education programme staff in Africa.

Role Dimensions: Addis Ababa is home to the African Union and other regional institutions that play a critical role in shaping African children’s lives and helping to ensure their rights are fulfilled. Save the Children’s ability to engage and influence the AU is central to our aim of creating lasting positive change for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable children. The post holder will therefore work effectively with AU Peace and Security Architecture, the Education Science Technology and Innovation Department targeting relevant institutions and bodies in the AU to influence decision-making that enhances better protection of the rights and welfare of children in humanitarian settings, especially those affected by armed conflicts in Africa.

This role is a high profile, externally-facing role, with responsibility for advocacy on a visible and politically sensitive set of issues in Addis Ababa, requiring excellent judgement, strategic sense, content on the issues, strong external networks and an ability to be agile and manage a demanding and varied workload. Most of this advocacy will need to be done in conjunction with advocacy at the national level in the region; in donor capitals and at the UN – requiring very close collaboration with other parts of Save the Children, and an ability to navigate a networked structure in a large international organisation.

The post holder will work as an integral member of the AU Liaison and Pan-Africa Office and wider cross-organisational teams. S/he will also collaborate closely with Save the Children regional and national advocacy staff in Africa, in our advocacy offices in New York, Geneva and Brussels, and in key Save the Children members, as well as with humanitarian and education programme colleagues in the region.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Proven record of advocacy success and ability to develop and implement strategy, preferably at the regional level in Africa.
• A background in influencing African national governments and engaging civil society partners in the region
• Experience of creating networks of influence, and an ability to manage diverse professional relationships, thereby securing significant new opportunities for the organisation
• Proven ability to speak and communicate effectively, and to tailor messages to different audiences
• Experience of successfully operating in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in.
• Demonstrated understanding of development and humanitarian issues, including in education.
• Knowledge and understanding of the AU, and its role in development, human rights and humanitarian issues.
• Commitment to Save the Children’s values.
• Experience of, and willingness to travel widely, often at short notice and in conflict- and crisis-affected settings
• Ability to work in English and French essential. Other official AU languages would be an advantage.

Where we Work -Where We Work | Save the Children International

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your salary expectations. 

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.