Advocacy Specialist

"About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we collaborate to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.Mercy Corps has been operating in Jordan since 2003. In partnership with civil society organizations, the private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Jordan has reached more than 3.4 million Jordanians and displaced populations in the country. Working throughout the country, Mercy Corps is driven by the mission to contribute to the emergence of a peaceful, resilient and prosperous Jordan which is inclusive of youth and women. We seek to build a future for Jordan in which all people feel secure, believe in the goodness of communities and institutions around them, and are on a sustainable path toward economic self-reliance. Our strategic directions focus on promoting strong communities and governance, peace and social cohesion and environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The Program / Department / Team

Mercy Corps serves as the lead civil society strengthening partner under the USAID Strengthening Civil Society and Media Systems (Sawt) Activity, a five-year (2022-2027) cooperative agreement funded by USAID and implemented by Internews. USAID Sawt aims to foster sustained civic engagement in Jordan through civil society and digital media innovations through two main Objectives: 1) Good, Trusted Knowledge-Building Resources: Citizens and civil society build knowledge through accessing and engaging critically with accurate and fact-based information and 2) Participation & Advocacy: Citizens and civil society organizations (CSOs) in Jordan effectively participate in civic spaces and advocate for policies through knowledge-based collective action.

The Position

Civil society and media are vital to advancing effective and inclusive civic engagement and participation in Jordan. Shrinking civic space, mistrust among constituents, and complex new threats to the long-term sustainability of civil society are ever prevalent. The Advocacy Specialist, under the supervision of the Civil Society Team Leader, will guide and oversee the execution of Advocacy Technical Assistance initiatives for local CSOs; provide expert guidance and continuous support in leveraging external technical expertise for advocacy workshops and mentoring sessions tailored to these partners; and implement the Advocacy Assessment Tool to systematically monitor the progress of partner CSOs across all advocacy capacity domains. Additionally, the specialist will ensure meticulous follow-up on the implementation of advocacy grant activities for the local CSOs, ensuring seamless execution and impactful outcomes.

Across 11 governorates, the Advocacy Specialist is responsible for the implementation and follow-up of all advocacy activities with emphasis on the improvement of performance and capacity, the establishment of sustainable networks, and facilitation of impactful advocacy and citizen engagement.

Essential Responsibilities

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION


Leads in the implementation of advocacy technical assistance for local CSOs through providing guidance and follow-up and the delivery of advocacy workshops and mentoring.
Supports connections and networks between communities and civic groups that enables pathways for citizens to participate and assert a voice in policy dialogue and advocacy.
Convenes and facilitates meetings between governance structures at different levels and across governorates.
Implements the Advocacy Assessment Tool to monitor the progress of partner CSOs in all advocacy capacity building areas.
Identifies the thematic needs and advocacy goals and creates a community of practice under each of the four themes (civic space, environment and climate change, support to marginalized groups focusing on women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), and community development).
Supports all advocacy elements in the capacity assessment of identified organizations using Mercy Corps Organizational Capacity Index Tools.
Provides strategic program guidance and technical support for all advocacy elements in CSO capacity building activities through provision of support to field staff and partner organizations as required, in coordination with the Team Lead.
Ensures CSO capacity building curriculum fits local context and capacity.
Ensures that advocacy topics are identified by ongoing contextual analysis and shared across all partners.
Provides inputs in refining the existing organizational development to ensure civil society organizations are being strengthened to meet program objectives.
Supports partner CSOs to explore alternative and sustainable financing models to strengthen and sustain the civil society ecosystem.      
Provides essential follow-up for all advocacy grants activities provided to local CSOs.
Supports the development of strategic partnership frameworks and partner agreements/memorandum of understanding (MoUs).


MONITORING, EVALUATION & QUALITY MANAGEMENT


Participates in monitoring and evaluating system design and implementation for all advocacy interventions, including monitoring program progress with monitoring tools to inform reporting.
Supports the Senior MEAL Coordinator in building the capacity of the project team and partner CSOs on the data collection and management, analysis, reporting techniques, and requirements for relevant donors.
Supports the Senior MEAL Coordinator in establishing, maintaining, and managing the data entry process for a comprehensive and updated database for the project.
Ensures Quality Management standards are mainstreamed for effective training and mainstreamed for effective implementation of the project in targeted host communities.
Provides weekly updates and monthly progress reports, including challenges and recommendations.
Ensures the implementation of safeguarding policies and procedures in all advocacy activities.
Supports in the refinement of organizational development tools and recommend best approaches for the team.


TEAM MANAGEMENT


Creates and sustains a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
Provides in-depth knowledge on advocacy best practices sessions that incorporates learning and reflection.
Continually builds the capacity of the Sawt Team to implement quality advocacy activities.


Security


Take special care during any investigations to preserve confidentiality and mitigate against reprisals.
Comply with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.


 

Organizational Learning 


As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.


Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders


Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.


Supervisory Responsibility

     None

Accountability

Reports Directly to: Civil Society Team Leader

Works Directly with: Civil Society Coordinators, MEAL Senior Coordinator, Civic Engagement Specialist, Grants Management Coordinator; PaQ Director; Advocacy and Public Policy Team lead, DCOP, COP, and Media Team Lead. 

 

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills


A university degree in Management or International Development.
At least 7 years of experience in international development or humanitarian assistance programs.
Prior experience in advocacy work, public affairs, community organizing, or a related field is valuable.
Experience in working with civil society organizations in Jordan.
Experience in Project Management.
Experience in designing and leading advocacy interventions.
Fluent in both Arabic and English.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel and Word.


Success Factors


Demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines.
Experience in building relationships and networks with policymakers, stakeholders, community leaders, and the media.
Ability to work under pressure, independently, and with limited supervision.
Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills.
Security, political, and cultural awareness.
Highly developed interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated decision-making and leadership skills.
Excellent time management capacities.


Competencies


Accountability and ownership.
Coaching and mentoring.
Problem-solving skills.
Planning and Prioritization skills.
Innovation and creativity.


Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal-opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination based on race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct E-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
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