United States of America: Senior Advocate, Women and Girl’s Rights

The senior advocate for the rights of women and girls takes the lead role in advancing RI’s work on the rights of displaced women and girls. The senior advocate will maintain relationships with key networks and advocacy targets relevant to advancing displaced women’s rights. The senior advocate will also carry out field missions which focus on the specific humanitarian and protection needs of displaced women and girls, mainstreaming these issues into all of RI’s work, and ensuring that they are incorporated in RI’s field reports and advocacy strategies.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• ## Devise and carry out advocacy strategies to pursue the objectives on women and girls’ rights in RI’s strategic plan. Work closely with colleagues to develop and carry out the agreed-upon strategy.
• ## Help create and track new policy and strategic directions on women and girls’ issues within organization as applicable.
• ## Conduct field missions to assess the impact of displacement on and humanitarian needs of women and girls, including gender-based violence (GBV), and analyze gaps in response to their needs for assistance and protection.
• ## Write field reports and policy papers that analyze the impacts of humanitarian crises on displaced women and girls and make recommendations to address the challenges they face. Devise and carry out an advocacy strategy toward achieving the recommendations outlined in these reports and papers.
• ## Hold frequent meetings with U.S. government officials, UN agency personnel, and other relevant actors to advocate on behalf of displaced women and girls in a specific crisis or on matters of overall policy and strategy.
• ## Write articles for publication in media outlets, including newspapers and scholarly journals. Prepare testimony or statements for Congressional hearings, briefings or debates, and advocacy letters to relevant officials.
• ## Develop media contacts and conduct interviews to advance the advocacy agenda of the organization.
• ## Represent the agency at coordination meetings organized by NGOs, the U.S. government, the UN, think tanks, and other relevant institutions.
• ## Track implementation of key initiatives related to women and girls at the UN, EU, and U.S. government.
• ## Strategize and, where appropriate, lead relevant coalitions to enhance RI’s visibility and impact.
• ## Collaborate with fellow advocates and other RI staff to continue to mainstream the rights of women and girls throughout the work of the organization.
• ## Contribute to grant proposals and reports related to women and girls in displacement. Provide briefings and background in support of RI’s development team.
• ## Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned

Special Education/Experience: Desirable Qualifications

A Master’s Degree in international affairs, political science, journalism, etc. which included the study of international humanitarian issues and the impacts of conflict on women and girls; a minimum of five years of professional experience involving some combination of overseas work, preferably with displaced women and girls, issues related to gender-based violence, and advocacy and policy work; knowledge of the women, peace, and security agenda is also desirable.

Special Knowledge/Skills: Desirable Qualifications

Familiarity with the development of international norms and practices relating to the impact of conflict on women and girls; familiarity with United States foreign policy and government structure; proven record of successful implementation of advocacy strategies and campaigns; strong communication skills, especially writing and public speaking are essential; English language fluency; working knowledge of a second language is highly desirable. Ability to work well with others in small teams and to meet tight deadlines; willingness to travel to humanitarian crisis zones three to four times for up to a total of three months per year; flexibility, collegiality, and sense of humor.

Applications should be submitted by CoB October 31, 2018, and include a cover letter, resume, and writing sample.

Send the application to jobs@refugeesinternational.org. Write “Women and Girls Rights” and your last name in the subject line.