Humanitarian NGO Platform Advocacy and Policy Advisor

The Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine was established in February 2023 and is currently accepting membership applications from local, national and international NGOs active in the humanitarian response in Ukraine. The Platform is dedicated to serving and facilitating the work of its members to efficiently and effectively address the humanitarian needs of conflict affected people. This is done through advocacy, coordination, information sharing, representation, and external stakeholder engagement.The three strategic pillars of the NGO Platform include Advocacy; Localization; and Coordination at national and subnational level. The Secretariat currently consist of the Director, a Deputy Director, a Policy and Advocacy Advisor, and a Comms and Admin Officer, and is supported by the Steering Committee comprising of five NGOs including the NGO Platform host, Save the Children. The NGO Platform currently has over 130 members.ROLE PURPOSE:The Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor will serve as the NGO Platform’s lead on policy analysis, advocacy coordination, and government engagement, with a focus on localization, the quality of the humanitarian response, and the nexus. The role will ensure that advocacy priorities and messaging are coherent across Platform workstreams, grounded in evidence and operational realities, and aligned with the priorities endorsed by the Country Directors’ General Assembly.Working closely with the Director, Deputy Director, Steering Committee, and member organizations, the post holder will coordinate collective advocacy efforts, lead structured engagement with Government of Ukraine counterparts, and oversee the NGO Platform’s communications function to ensure consistent, strategic positioning.KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:Policy and Advocacy Coordination* Consult with Members and the Steering Committee to shape the NGO Platform’s Advocacy Priorities and Strategy, and liaise with relevant members and stakeholders to support on influencing activities and advise on and help implement advocacy initiatives. * Coordinate the NGO Platform Advocacy Working Group (AWG). Provide guidance or technical support to resulting advocacy initiatives when requested. * Establish ad hoc working groups or task forces when requested to cover specific topics of member concern. * Maintain via regular reviews the NGO Platform advocacy strategy and action plan in conjunction with the AWG, NGO Platform membership, Secretariat and the Steering Committee. * Ensure the AWG supports a strategic and prioritized approach to advocacy issues arising out of other NGO Platform workstreams, particularly Localization, Government Relations, HR Working Group, and coordination. * Develop common positions and advocacy/communication products adapted to the different targets and audience nationally and internationally, especially on key national policy/responses and frameworks, as well as other factors such as protection concerns, access including bureaucratic and administrative impediments, localization, coordination architecture, displacement and durable solutions, inclusive recovery/nexus, and current and future challenges that have an impact on conflict affected people and their access to humanitarian assistance. * Pro-actively attend, contribute to or convene strategic discussions and meetings on key humanitarian issues in line with Members’ objectives and the Platform’s Advocacy Priorities. * Maintain a good understanding of issues and initiatives in the country, including issues arising at the HCT and the Humanitarian Operational Coordination Groups, and ensure that advocacy efforts and messages are coordinated and aligned at national level and informed by informed by inputs from Area Manager Working Groups and NGO Platform Subnational Coordinators. * Coordinate closely with the NGO Platform subnational coordinators. Travel as required to support accurate, evidence-based advocacy informed by operational realities and field-level priorities. * Consult and coordinate with external stakeholders such as the UN and donors to align advocacy and influencing activities when feasible. * Remain up-to-date on key issues through engagement with relevant stakeholders,in order to inform the NGO Platform Manager and the Steering Committee. * Regularly liaise with NGO advocacy counterparts at regional and global level to ensure country-level priorities and messages are brought to their attention and inform advocacy efforts at those levels. * Develop strong relationships with designated advocacy focal points in member NGOs to strengthen advocacy in country. Identify ways to best capitalize in their expertise and networks to support collective advocacy.Government Relations* Lead and coordinate the Government Engagement Task Force, ensuring alignment with advocacy priorities and other workstreams. * Support mapping of key government stakeholders, and the development of a positive relationship and ‘brand’ of NGO Platform with the Government of Ukraine. * Regularly meet with relevant government ministries, departments and agencies to build relationships, advocate for member priorities, and raise GoU’s understanding of the contributions of humanitarian staff to the protection of war affected people in Ukraine. Particular focus to include bureaucratic impediments such as exemptions from mobilization, taxation, changes to the Law on Humanitarian aid, visas; government-led coordination of humanitarian assistance; and other emergent issues as needed. * Support NGO Platform influencing on legislation processes via participation support to legislative drafting processes where needed, in close cooperation with the AWG and its members. * Coordinate closely with the HR Working Group co-chairs on advocacy related to bureaucratic and administrative impediments affecting humanitarian organizations and staff.Localization* Coordinate closely with the Deputy Director (localization lead) and co-chair of the Partnership Working Group to ensure coherence between programmatic localization work, evidence generation, and advocacy messaging. * Actively participate in the Partnerships Working Group and Localization Task Force meetings and support with events and product production. * Maintain a strong base of knowledge on global trends and progress on localization. * Promote spaces for NNGOs that are members of the NGO Platform to connect with INGOs, donors and to have a say in humanitarian leadership and decision making.Information Sharing/Communication* Oversees the NGO Platform communications and IM work (bi-weekly update, website management, contact management, etc), led by the Admin and Comms officer role. * Coordinate the NGO Platform advocacy efforts and liaise with external advocacy partners such as donors and member states, humanitarian actors and others to strengthen advocacy efforts related to Ukraine. * Ensure effective communication for all advocacy and influencing issues related to the Platform. * Support the production of any NGO Platform communication products (bi-weekly update, website, leaflets, etc.) working closely with the NGO Platform Comms and Admin Officer. * Facilitate regular advocacy updates to the Country Director’s Group/General Assembly and support information and analysis exchange between NGO Platform working groups, Steering Committee, Country Director’s Group/General Assembly and Platform other working groups including HR, Partnerships, Area Managers and other groups or task forces that may arise as needed.Representation* Ensure that NGO positions on specific issues are well represented at relevant platforms and meetings; and as much as possible promote representation by NGOs themselves. * Represent the NGO Platform at the Humanitarian Access Working Group and the Protection Cluster Strategic Advisory Group, and other meetings to support the Director and Deputy Director as needed. Ensure that access and protection concerns raised through Area Manager Working Groups, Subnational Coordinators, or other working groups are reflected in these fora and followed up at national level. * Support the Director and Deputy Director by preparing talking points and speeches for external engagements.Additional job responsibilities* The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience. In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)Accountability:* holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values * holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.Ambition:* sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same * widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others * future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.Collaboration:* builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters * values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength * approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.Creativity:* develops and encourages new and innovative solutions * Willing to take disciplined risks.Integrity:* Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrityQUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCEEssential* Bachelor’s degree - preferably in international humanitarian law, public policy, peace and conflict studies, international affairs, political science, international development, or related field. * Minimum 5 years of professional experience in humanitarian policy, advocacy, or coordination roles in conflict or post-conflict settings. * Demonstrated experience in advocacy, policy dialogue, and engagement with government counterparts. * Strong understanding of humanitarian principles, humanitarian coordination architecture, and the humanitarian programme cycle. * Demonstrated understanding of localization and humanitarian–development nexus approaches, particularly in the Ukrainian context. * Strong understanding of Government of Ukraine institutions, policy processes, and legislative frameworks relevant to humanitarian action. * Proven experience developing advocacy strategies, policy analysis, and influencing approaches. * Excellent written and spoken Ukrainian and English required, including demonstrated ability in writing briefing papers and other information products * Strong analytical, facilitation, interpersonal, and diplomatic skills. * Ability to work independently in politically sensitive and fast-changing environments.Desirable* Master’s degree, preferably in international humanitarian law, public policy, peace and conflict studies, international affairs, political science, international development, or related field – or equivalent experience. * Experience working with or within NGO coordination platforms or civil society alliances. * Prior engagement with donors, pooled funds, or HCT-level advocacy processes. * Experience supervising staff or overseeing communications functions.Additional job responsibilitiesThe duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.Child Safeguarding Policy:We are committed to ensuring children's safety. Our recruitment process includes strict background checks and reflects our commitment to protecting children from harm.Equal OpportunitiesThe post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.Health and Safety:All employees are expected to perform their duties in accordance with our global policy on harassment prevention.Preventing Fraud, Bribery and CorruptionThe role holder shall perform the necessary duties in accordance to Counter-fraud, Bribery & Corruption Policy and keep any activity during performance of duties free from any instance of fraud, bribery, theft, and corruption.In your cover letter, indicate your expected salary and English proficiency level.HOW TO APPLYIf you’re interested in this position, we invite you to submit your resume via the following link.