Program Temporary support assistant

I. SUMMARY OF POSITION

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 28 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a non-profit that works across 55 countries, our 8,990 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action against Hunger USA currently manages operations in eight countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Haiti.

Job Summary

Our Program temporary support assistant is designed to offer hands-on, real-world experience for individuals looking to develop their skills in a Humanitarian Organization.

Purpose: 

The ACF USA will support campaigning, policy research, and public engagement efforts to address the root causes of Hunger and enhance Humanitarian Diplomacy in the HORN of Africa. Responsibilities typically include researching policy issues, monitoring Humanitarian landscapes, supporting digital campaigns, assisting with workshops/event logistics (webinars/trainings), drafting advocacy materials, and providing administrative support to Advocacy leads.

Working under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Regional Advocacy Specialist, the Program temporary support assistant will support with the implementation of Action Against Hunger advocacy strategy to increase the influence and visibility of the work of Action Against Hunger in the HORN of Africa and beyond; as well as increasing awareness for Action Against Hunger mandate and programs among its partners, donors, the media and the general public.

Essential duties

Support the planning, development, and implementation of advocacy activities.

• Assist in the development of advocacy and External Relations activities, including multi-media packages, Policy and Research Analysis, toolkits and social media content for engagement.
• Support the advocacy department in the production and finalisation of advocacy and external relations products.
• Support the planning and implementation of advocacy workshops, campaigns and events.
• Monitoring Humanitarian landscapes in the HORN of Africa strategic priority areas relevant to ACF USA.
• Assist in managing ACF USA’s external relations, including website and social media platforms and monthly newsletters in partnership with the Global Communications team.
• Other duties as assigned by the Advocacy Specialist.

 Ensure that all communication products and project deliverables for the external audience are appropriately branded (in line with Action Against Hunger and donor compliance guidelines). Proactively seek out interesting stories from programs, initiating or accompanying field visits to collect high-quality photos, case and success stories, quotes and possibly audio and video material suitable for use in media and communication products.

Support Advocacy and External Relations, Strategic Development and Implementation

• Monitor and analyze Humanitarian developments in the HORN of Africa in collaboration with the advocacy Specialist, communications team and share this information with the broader Action Against Hunger team through regular email updates and briefing notes.
• Support the development of policy analysis on emerging crises to inform ACF’s positioning and planning.
• Work closely with colleagues in ACF and national and international civil society to ensure new developments are monitored and communicated in a timely fashion to ensure information that can be used by both advocacy offices at the regional and international levels.
• Support in the implementation of advocacy activities, aligned with the strategic plans, in Juba and State Capitals.
• Work with the Regional and Global Advocacy team to translate technical approaches, research and program learning to policy briefs and discussion papers to influence the policies and practices of decision makers.
• Liaise with the Advocacy and Communication Regional office, providing advocacy messages and content appropriate for external audiences (through channels including social media, direct mail, etc.)
• Reporting- mainstream communication in Action Against Hunger’s programs and supporting effective process documentation and technical monthly/quarterly, and annual reporting.

Support robust accountability systems and build Action Against Hunger’s reputation in humanitarian diplomacy.

• Ensure that Action Against Hunger is the “go-to” partner in the fight against hunger and undernutrition by supporting the implementation of innovative and evidence-based advocacy initiatives.
• Support in the implementation and reporting on Action Against Hunger- led advocacy activities feeding into priority work areas.
• Support multi-media campaign-development, structured approaches and procedures, including relations with mainstream media. Lead and coordinate the preparation of communication publications for both internal and external purposes.
• Package content for the Website, social media, and networking, in collaboration with the regional and HQ communication teams.
• Develop a database of networks of contacts among humanitarian organizations, coordination bodies, and donor organisations (and, as necessary, national and international media) for more effective information sharing and communication of the organisation’s activities and interests.

Support with diverse partners to mobilize the wider public to end hunger and Nutrition

• Support the Global and Regional Advocacy Leads in the production of regular briefs on the humanitarian context in the HORN of Africa.
• Work with the Regional and Country Teams to generate communication materials on lessons learnt from programme work for advocacy and fundraising.
• Provide analysis when requested, assist with media work, and contribute to materials for use on ACF social media engagement about ACF programming.
• Support the Region’s community of practice in areas of policy, advocacy and campaigning. 

Gender Equality Commitments

• Foster an environment that supports the values of women and men, and equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Respect beneficiaries, women, men, and children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, or religion. Race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect in all cultures.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis. In addition, the employee is expected to travel frequently to the operational areas of the organization to collect first-hand information and stories of communication materials that are to be systematically documented, organized, and crafted for various communication materials. This role also requires frequent yet pre-planned and coordinated travelling to organizational remote operational areas to fetch first-hand information and materials to synthesize standard communication materials.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Working Conditions, Travel, and Environment

• The responsibilities of this post require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.
• Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high-security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.

Diploma in Water Engineering or related field.

IX. REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

· Degree in International Affairs, Public Policy, Development Studies, or Political Science.

· Ability to think and operate strategically and creatively

· Lobbying and political skills: persuasive, diplomatic and articulate.

· Experience with media and writing public statements and presentations.

· Flexible, self-starter, sense of humor, team player, attention to detail.

· Ability to communicate clearly and work independently yet cooperatively in a cross-cultural setting with several long-distance working relationships.

· Computer Literacy.

· Fluent in English, written and verbal.

· Initiative, influencing skills, self-awareness, ability to work effectively with others and critical analysis skills.

Learning Outcomes

· Increased understanding of advocacy and communication in humanitarian Diplomacy, response, and community engagement.

· Exposure to projects, practices and activities within an International Humanitarian Organisation working with civil society organisations (CSO), from local to global levels.

· Networking opportunities with various programme colleagues.

· Increased understanding of the non-profit sector.

· Enhanced decision-making skills, independent working, evaluation and assessments of advocacy actions and initiatives.

· Strengthened research and policy analysis.

· Enhanced interpersonal skills, communication, autonomy, organisational skills, and creative and innovative thinking.

All candidates should apply online at Action Against Hunger-USA, which provides all staff with an attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.