Overview
The Advocacy and Policy Advisor will lead policy analysis, advocacy coordination, and government engagement for the NGO Platform in Ukraine, focusing on localization, humanitarian response quality, and the nexus.
Key Responsibilities
- Consult with Members and Steering Committee to shape Advocacy Priorities and Strategy.
- Coordinate the NGO Platform Advocacy Working Group (AWG).
- Develop common positions and advocacy/communication products.
- Attend and contribute to strategic discussions on humanitarian issues.
- Coordinate closely with subnational coordinators and travel as required.
- Consult and coordinate with external stakeholders such as the UN and donors.
- Liaise with NGO advocacy counterparts at regional and global level.
- Develop strong relationships with member NGO advocacy focal points.
- Lead and coordinate the Government Engagement Task Force.
- Support mapping of key government stakeholders and build relationships.
- Meet with relevant government ministries, departments and agencies.
- Support NGO Platform influencing on legislation processes.
- Coordinate closely with the Deputy Director on localization coherence.
- Participate in Partnerships Working Group and Localization Task Force meetings.
- Oversee the NGO Platform communications and IM work.
- Coordinate advocacy efforts with external partners.
- Ensure effective communication for advocacy and influencing issues.
- Support the production of NGO Platform communication products.
- Facilitate regular advocacy updates to the Country Director’s Group/General Assembly.
- Ensure NGO positions are represented at relevant platforms and meetings.
- Represent the NGO Platform at the Humanitarian Access Working Group and Protection Cluster Strategic Advisory Group.
- Support the Director and Deputy Director by preparing talking points and speeches.
Required Experience
- 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.
- 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.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree - preferably in international humanitarian law, public policy, peace and conflict studies, international affairs, political science, international development, or related field.
- 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.
