OI Agricultural Advocacy Coordinator - Agricultural Advocacy Coordinator, Oxfam International

Based in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa
Salary: ?21,559 net (take-home pay) per annum + a variable cost of living allowance + other substantial benefits
Closing date:22 September 2009.
Test and interview expected to be the week commencing 5 October 2009

Hunger across West Africa is unremitting: millions of people live permanently on the edge. Oxfam and its partners are demanding lasting solutions to this chronic problem - and you'll help us achieve some of the most sustainable by increasing investment in agriculture and promoting farmers' productivity.
 
The role
In the simplest terms, you'll focus on delivering long-term advocacy strategies that champion the needs of small-scale producers and, ultimately, increase food security across West Africa. It's a huge responsibility with tremendous scope for impact, and it'll be largely down to you. Analysing the region's key agricultural trends and current policies, you'll establish clear objectives for our Agriculture campaign strategy. Then you'll develop, implement, monitor and report on plans that will achieve them. At every stage you'll work closely with Oxfam colleagues regionally, nationally and sometimes globally, with civil society organisations at grassroots and national levels and, of course, with the famers we're working to help. As well as making sure communication is strong between the various groups, you'll lobby on relevant issues and do all you can to support fundraising efforts
 
What we're looking for
This is a hugely influential role so it's important that, along with proven expertise in agricultural policies and livelihood issues - particularly within West Africa - you have strong campaigning and advocacy experience. Previous exposure to policy analysis, research, lobbying and alliance building is essential. You'll already have proved how effectively you can influence political agendas and engage with key decision makers, all while displaying sound political judgment, analytical thinking and strategy development skills. Make no mistake, you'll encounter obstacles along the way - not least red tape - so we're looking for a genuine desire to make a difference and get results, together with resilience, determination and exceptional networking ability. Naturally, strong communication skills - along with fluency in English and French- are also vital.
 
About Oxfam
A simple, inescapable truth underlines everything we do at Oxfam. There's enough wealth in this world to go around. It's not unfortunate that people live in poverty. It's unjustifiable. It's not only their problem. It's ours too. And with the right support, we can beat poverty and injustice. More than 8,000 people already commit their time and talents to our campaigning, humanitarian and long-term development projects. Now we're looking for yours [Oxfam Jobs]