Country: Italy
Closing date: 14 Mar 2018
INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.
1.Terms of reference
Job Title: Operational Advocacy Officer
Code: SR- 01-455
Country: Italy
Duty Station: Rome (HQ)
Starting date: 15/03/2018
Contract duration: 24 months
Reporting to: Migration Unit Responsible
Supervision of: None
Dependents: No
2.General context of the project
INTERSOS Migration Unit has started its operation in 2011, with the foundation of the Centre for Unaccompanied Minors ‘A28’ in Rome. Since then we hosted more than 5000 minors in transit in Italy.
The Migration Unit now is coordinating 3 active operations: Italy, Greece and Libya and it is setting the initial approach to Niger Mission. Serbia Mission has been now closed after 19 years of Operations.
The creation of a dedicated Unit within our Organization in late 2010 and its institutionalization in a segment of the Organizational Structure different from the Programme Unit, is a concrete signal of the INTERSOS’ dedicated approach to the migration thematic, perceived as naturally linked to humanitarian interventions but in many aspects different.
INTERSOS’ strategy in this first period was mainly focused on the development of an operational capacity on the ground, and aimed at understanding better the new role of an International NGO in the context of such an unusual crisis in such a ‘familiar’ context.
Since the early stages, INTERSOS was convinced of the necessity of approaching the situation in Europe and along the migratory routes to Europe with a new fresh approach. This was based on the solid humanitarian roots of our Organization but evolved in a strict community-based and impact-based approach that should have taken drastically in consideration the European context of work, and its specific objectives.
Throughout the years, we have developed a more solid capacity of operation, with 3 main focuses that we have identified for the next coming future:
Support and Protection of Unaccompanied Foreign Minors;
Social Health and Mental Health interventions in support of vulnerable individuals in mixed context (migrants and vulnerable residents);
Advocacy Integrated Initiatives;
It was part of our preliminary plans to concentrate firstly on developing capacity on the ground, on the basis of our main rule that is to be strictly operational. In the meanwhile, the situation in Europe has evolved, and nowadays it is very different from few years ago, if not from some months ago.
It is not possible to figure out now a humanitarian intervention in Italy, or in Europe as well as along the Routes of Sahel Countries, that is not including and calling to their responsibilities the European Countries and is not aiming to contribute actively to a general evolution within the society.
For these reasons, INTERSOS has decided that now it is fundamental and strategic, for the humanitarian impact and in this particular context, to increase the capacity of publicly representing the Humanitarian positioning of the Organization, and to actively contribute to the European debate around Migration-related issues and Human Rights. Humanitarian impact in support of vulnerable individuals and fundamental rights is at this moment strictly linked to advocacy actions.
For these reasons, in the next coming years INTERSOS will focus on Consolidation of the Migration Sector strengthening its internal capacity. We set a clear structure of the Migration Unit, INTERSOS now is officially including the M.U. in the renewed INTERSOS Programme Unit in order to strengthen its transnational and trans-European approach and we reinforce the capacity of its referent with a new operational structure.
3. General purpose of the position
Identify, empower and promote dedicated Resources that capitalize the operational efforts of INTERSOS in Migration sector in Europe and in Africa, with qualified data elaborations, HR oriented monitoring and evaluation and linked advocacy initiatives. As INTERSOS and/or in coordinated networks.
S/he has to operate with:
20% of time dedicated to external relations and participation to public tables and networks
20% of time dedicated to data collection and operations understanding
60% in structuration and writing of Advocacy Papers
4. Main responsabilities and tasks
S/he will:
monitor M.U. project under supervision of M.U. Responsible and implement direct data acquisition.
focus on local situations that are scarcely known but that impact largely on migrants’ conditions and perception in Italy.
at same time, do not reduce the debate to local polemics or national toxic debate, but enrich the national audience with the support of INTERSOS transnational vision.
follow ‘operational’ approach as staff inserted in M.U. and coordinated with operations
implement ‘On Demand’ initiatives. That means capability to respond to unforeseen thematic and/or initiatives upon suggestion, request and coordination with the operational mission.
Rely on and enrich the positioning of more institutional implementing partners for common powerful initiatives.
Monitor and Analyse the national and European context, legal and political, for migration related issues. Coordinate (or initiate) with national and European networks in advocacy initiatives
Activities foreseen for the Operational Advocacy Officer will be constantly monitored and revised according to the evolving concrete situation in Italy and abroad regarding the management of Migratory processes.
Anyway, the main guiding principle for its work will be the protection and consolidation of Human Rights within concrete approaches to Migrants in Italy and Europe and the possibility to establish a reputable and trusted voice in the panorama of the European debate on Migration.
In concrete this position foresees :
- Set common shared goals and strategy on yearly base in coordination with Migration Unit Responsible Staff and under coordination of Migration Unit Responsible.
- Enrich INTERSOS’ network and involvement of qualified stakeholders in support of embraced causes.
- Enhance Local initiatives with strong community-based approach
- Structure, produce and take care of qualified dissemination of # of Focused Reports in coordination with Migration Unit and in harmony with INTERSOS General Secretariat. These ones will be produced and publicly presented in Italy on selected thematic regarding Migration to Europe – Migration as Global Process – Impact and Evidences of Migratory Phenomena that are linked to INTERSOS concrete field work.
- Organize # of Public Initiatives related to selected thematics. Public Networks are instituted / supported with focus on Migration and its challenges and opportunities
- Structure # of Sectorial Studies in INTERSOS M.U. based on fact evidence and on international humanitarian work of the Organization
- O.A.O. work is constantly evaluated for its action and mainly for its impact
5. Required profile and experience
Education
-Degree/Master in Law, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, International Relations, Anthropology or related field; and equivalent practical field experience, preferably in Italy
Professional experience
-Not strictly necessary to have previous direct advocacy experiences
-Need to have previous experience in Human Rights work, in Networking / External relations
-Experience in External Communication
-Experience in Migration Sector in Italy is strong asset
Professional requirements
-Valid residence and work permit for Italy
-Writing skills in Italian and in English
-Demonstrated leadership and strong interpersonal skills
-Capacity of involvement in public speeches and conferences
-Personal capacity of analysis and logical structuration of researches and studies
-Knowledge of Human Rights and Legislation with focus on Italy
-Humanitarian background
Languages
-Italian and English oral and written with strong attitude to writing skills
Personal requirements
-Strong motivation
How to apply:
For further information and to apply, follow the link below:
https://intersos.knack.com/imp#intersosorg-vacancies/
In case you encounter difficulties applying through INTERSOS' platform, you can also apply by sending your CV, motivation letter and 2 references via email to recruitment@intersos.org , with subject line: "**SR-01-455, Operational Advocacy Officer - Italy, Rome (HQ)**".
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview.