Advocacy Officer (Ethiopia) At Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa

Position: Advocacy Officer (Open to Nationals Only)

Department: Programmes

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (On site)

Reporting to: Ethiopia Country Coordinator

Contract period: Initial 06 months contract with possibility of renewal given fundability and performance

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Application Deadline: March 28th 2024, 12:00AM EAT

About us:
The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) is a civil society coalition bringing together grassroots women’s rights organizations from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, and Uganda. Established in 1995, SIHA aims to strengthen the capacity of women’s rights organizations in the Horn of Africa, contributing to the empowerment of women and advocating for effective change. SIHA operates as a regional platform for mobilizing activists, vulnerable groups, and marginalized women, men, and girls to challenge the root causes of problems faced by women and girls in the Horn of Africa Region. More information about SIHA is available at www.sihanet.org

Background of Position:
SIHA seeks a candidate with multidisciplinary skills and competencies, in-depth knowledge of political, human rights, and humanitarian instruments, and an understanding of the Horn of Africa and Ethiopia. The consultants will primarily support SIHA’s work on and around Ethiopia and extend support to SIHA’s other work around the Horn of Africa region. SIHA is trying to identify a talented and committed candidate with intersectional knowledge of women’s human rights, inclusive women’s movement, and women’s peace and security issues in Ethiopia. She or he must have strong networking skills, familiarity with the African Union, regional and international instruments and an understanding of the Ethiopia’s politics and challenges. This post requires someone who is dynamic, strategic, and grounded at the same time.

About us:

The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) is a civil society coalition bringing together grassroots women’s rights organizations from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, and Uganda. Established in 1995, SIHA aims to strengthen the capacity of women’s rights organizations in the Horn of Africa, contributing to the empowerment of women and advocating for effective change. SIHA operates as a regional platform for mobilizing activists, vulnerable groups, and marginalized women, men, and girls to challenge the root causes of problems faced by women and girls in the Horn of Africa Region. More information about SIHA is available at www.sihanet.org

Background of Position:

SIHA seeks a candidate with multidisciplinary skills and competencies, in-depth knowledge of political, human rights, and humanitarian instruments, and an understanding of the Horn of Africa and Ethiopia. The consultants will primarily support SIHA’s work on and around Ethiopia and extend support to SIHA’s other work around the Horn of Africa region. SIHA is trying to identify a talented and committed candidate with intersectional knowledge of women’s human rights, inclusive women’s movement, and women’s peace and security issues in Ethiopia. She or he must have strong networking skills, familiarity with the African Union, regional and international instruments and an understanding of the Ethiopia’s politics and challenges. This post requires someone who is dynamic, strategic, and grounded at the same time.

Key Responsibilities:

The Advocacy Officer will be responsible for a range of tasks to advance SIHA’s mission in the Horn of Africa region, focusing on Ethiopia. The consultant will work in close collaboration with SIHA’s country lead and contribute to various aspects of SIHA’s advocacy initiatives. The tasks for this post include:

1. Research and Analysis:
   • Conduct in-depth research on political, human rights, and humanitarian issues in Ethiopia.
   • Collect and classify credible data and information related to women’s human rights and gender-based violence in the country.
   • Analyze data and information to identify the root causes of issues, mitigation strategies, and actionable recommendations.
   • Produce research reports, policy briefs, and analytical documents to inform SIHA’s advocacy efforts at the national level.
2. Advocacy and Networking:
   • Develop and implement advocacy strategies to promote women’s human rights and gender equality in the country.
   • Establish and maintain strong networks with partners, collaborators, and stakeholders in human rights and gender justice.
   • Represent SIHA in meetings, conferences, and events related to women’s rights and peace and security issues, including undertaking frequent travel within the country.
   • Support advocacy efforts for policy changes and reforms to address gender-based violence and discrimination.
3. Communication and Messaging:
   • Develop key messaging and communication materials, including SIHA’s gender alert and confidential memos, to raise awareness about women’s human rights and gender issues.
   • Provide regular updates and reports on advocacy activities to SIHA’s country lead.
   • Engage with the media and utilize various communication channels to amplify the voices and struggles of women and their communities.
4. Capacity Building and Training:
   • Provide training and capacity-building sessions on human rights, advocacy, and gender equality to local organizations and activists.
   • Mentor and support emerging leaders and advocates in the country to strengthen their advocacy skills.
5. Policy and Documentation:
   • Draft accurate and well-structured reports, briefings, policy documents, and statements on human rights and gender issues.
   • Ensure the timely submission of documentation related to advocacy initiatives and projects.

Required Skills and Capacities:
• In-depth knowledge of a broad range of international human rights issues, including knowledge of gender equality, gender-based violence, and women’s human rights.
• Knowledge of international and regional human rights instruments, including those relating to women’s human rights and gender-based violence, and familiarity or experience engaging with the African Union.
• 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 women’s human rights and focus on women and their communities’ voices and struggles.
• Must be attached to the knowledge production channels around the country. She or he must be able to collect and classify credible data and information.

• Other required skills are strong organizational skills, the ability to function and collaborate and benefit from being in a team, and commitment to women’s human rights and the human rights framework.

Qualifications and Background:
A solid academic and practical human rights and advocacy background is required. At least four years of work experience with recognized national or regional organizations is critical; work experience within the Horn of Africa will be required.