Post Conditions

About Oxfam

Oxfam is committed to ridding the world of poverty and injustice. We have a conviction that people can build a livelihood without poverty on their own, once given the chance to do so. Which is why we support local projects in developing countries, why we lobby governments and companies to consider the interests of the poorest people, and why we campaign to involve citizens in our work. We work together with other Oxfam affiliates to increase our impact on development and humanitarian work.

Oxfam’s vision for Tunisia is that citizens, especially women and youth, are active to reduce gender and socio-economic inequalities in a framework of rule of law and an accountable state. The strategy focuses on gender justice, economic justice, and civic space.

Job Purpose 

We are looking for an active Policy & Influencing Officer to plan, coordinate, and report on the implementation of the 3rd pillar of Oxfam’s SUMUD project, that aims at coordinating advocacy and awareness-raising actions aimed at promoting decent work and strengthening the inclusiveness of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Tunisia. The PIO will report directly to the Program Manager and collaborate closely with the MEAL Coordinator to ensure proper alignment regarding guidance, approaches, and responsibilities. Furthermore, this role is expected to directly engage with and offer support to all SUMUD implementing partners in Tunisia. 

SUMUD Project

The SUMUD initiative is a 3-year project (started in December 2022) that aims at sustaining the Tunisian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and social enterprises (SEs) operating in tourism, crafts and agriculture in order to increase their resilience in the face of the economic crisis affecting the country, as well as their ability to contribute to more inclusive and sustainable economic development. 

The Governorates selected for the implementation of the Action are Sfax, Mahdia, Siliana and Tozeur, indicated as priorities and characterized by the strong presence of MSMEs. The project will focus on implementing activities along three pillars:

1. Implementation of a technical and financial support programme for Tunisian MSMEs and social enterprises with the aim of supporting them in developing innovative and crisis adaptation strategies that strengthen their resilience and sustainability, as well as their social and environmental impact.
2. Implementation of a participatory local development strategies, will promote socio-economic and employment generation plans for young people and women with the active participation of local authorities, in order to strengthen their technical skills in the field of participatory governance and in order to develop territorial policies for inclusive work.
3. Implementation of awareness-raising and advocacy actions in order to promote regulatory and operational changes on the theme of decent working conditions and inclusive work.

Consortium

The action is the result of the consolidated collaboration between five local and international organizations (Oxfam, AVSI Foundation, Tuscany Region, SHANTI and APAD-Association for Sustainable Agriculture), capable of mobilizing complementary and transversal skills in the field of socio-economic development.

Area of expertise

• Policy development and analysis, and promotion. 
• Influencing, Advocacy, and Awareness-raising.   
• Knowledge creation & dissemination. 

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities 

Influencing (Advocacy, campaigning and awareness-raising) – 60% 

• Lead on a participatory process for the development of SUMUD Influencing Strategy, action plan, and monitoring indicators in coordination with Oxfam team, project consortium members and local authorities and actors, and in light of Oxfam Influencing Framework.  
• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the Influencing Strategy activities to be held both offline and online. Activities includes, but not limited to, events, round-table discussions, lobbying meetings, Story-telling workshops, feedback sessions, etc.
• Provide and ensure high-quality reporting on the progress and results of the Influencing action plan on regular basis.
• Maintain direct contact with local partners (State actors, private sector, and the public) according to Oxfam’s advocacy and campaigning policy and in line with Oxfam’s partner values in Tunisia. 
• Facilitate meetings, encounters, and events (both at the local and national level) to be held with the local authorities in the frame of SUMUD Influencing efforts.
• Manage SUMUD Influencing presence on the different media platform including press and radio in coordination with an external communication agency. 
• Manage & run SUMUD campaigning online on the different social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc).

Knowledge & Learning (Production, Visualization, and Dissemination efforts) – 40%   

• Lead and contribute to the development of SUMUD Learning agenda in coordination with SUMUD MEAL Expert and the consortium members.  
• Coordinate the process of conducting an in-depth baseline research on Decent Work Conditions to be carried out by an expert researcher. 
• Contribute to monitoring national efforts and challenges for improving the working conditions in the private sector to identify opportunities for advocacy. 
• Capture, document, and disseminate programmatic learning, success stories, and best practices related to Decent Work.
• Coordinate the development of different policy papers on Decent Work conditions. 
• Support developing and sharing best practices, innovations, and other relevant products, conducting regular and ad-hoc information and story gathering.
• Lead on the process of developing SUMUD compelling advocacy materials in both visual and audio-visual format such as infographics, brochures, leaflets, posters, billboards, videos, and podcasts, etc. to engage target audiences effectively.

Other (where and as agreed and needed)

• Actively engage in all relevant strategic meetings and workshops to contribute to developing and implementing Oxfam strategy and programs.
• Provide support, where and as requested and possible, to other ongoing programs and activities and develop new programs and proposals.
• Contribute to all country-related annual planning, reporting, and budgeting.

Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge required for the position

Essential 

• Master degree in a relevant field required (Mass Communications, political sciences, Public Policy, Social Sciences). In lieu of an Advanced degree, a Bachelor’s university degree with two additional years’ experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant and progressive experience in policy, influencing, advocacy, and communication with special focus on coordinating policy advocacy efforts in Tunisia.  
• Good understanding of Tunisia’ economic, social, and political context. 
• Ability to liaise with a wide range of people, both internally and externally and at many levels, with credibility, tact and diplomacy. 
• Ability to co-create and implement advocacy strategies with local organizations and partners.
• Work experience in commissioning, guiding and using research and other knowledge products.
• Ability to think and act outside the box to increase the impact of influencing activities.
• Fluency in French and Arabic, both verbal and written. English is an asset. 
• Commitment to human rights principles and Oxfam values and mandate.
• Work experience in an international (NGO) environment.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Ability to work independently and with a team.
• Excellent and efficient time management.

Desirable 

• Has previously provided input into policy discussions and decisions.
• Has good understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Tunisia.
• Has good understanding of decent work and gender considerations.

Application procedure 

Interested individuals must send their application (motivation letter & curriculum vitae) noting the position “SUMUD Policy & Influencing Officer_applicant’s full name” in the email subject line, to  https://jobs.oxfamnovib.nl/job-invite/13656/  no later than September 13th, 2024.

In case further clarifications are need before the applications submission date, please do not hesitate to contact us via email.

Applicants from diverse backgrounds and nationalities based in Tunisia are encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will have their application acknowledged.

Oxfam is an equal opportunity organization