Policy & Advocacy Advisor (Ukrainian Nationals Only) - Kyiv

ABOUT CIVIC

Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) is an international nonprofit with offices around the world working to improve protection for civilians caught in conflict zones. CIVIC envisions a world in which no civilian is harmed in conflict. Our mission is to support communities affected by conflict in their quest for protection and strengthen the resolve and capacity of armed actors to prevent and respond to civilian harm. We are advocates who believe that no civilian caught in conflict should be ignored, and advisors who provide practical solutions to preventing and responding to civilian harm.

CIVIC has been present in Ukraine since 2017, focused on constructive engagement between communities and the Ukrainian security and defense forces; the development of implementation of tools, training and policies on protection of civilians; and the promotion of a national Protection of Civilians policy. In March 2022, CIVIC’s work in Ukraine shifted to focus on the urgent need to protect civilians from the effects of the Russian invasion. CIVIC Ukraine also conducts research into topics that inform the sector, and advocates for protection of civilians at all levels. Learn more at civiliansinconflict.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Policy and Advocacy Advisor is responsible for increasing the visibility and impact of CIVIC’s mission and work with stakeholders in Ukraine. As a member of the Ukraine team based in Kyiv, the incumbent will develop and implement an ambitious advocacy strategy in line with the goals set out in CIVIC Ukraine’s country strategy.

The Policy and Advocacy Advisor will review work on the National PoC strategy, working with colleagues and external stakeholders to ensure that the strategy is up to date, relevant, and reflects best practice. The Policy and Advocacy Advisor will develop an action plan to promote the strategy with the Government of Ukraine (GoU) and achieve tangible progress towards its adoption and ratification.

The Policy and Advocacy Advisor will develop a network for CIVIC with relevant GoU stakeholders, including at Minister level, to promote CIVIC’s programmatic activities and advocate for an increased protection of civilians. This will also include an advocacy strategy, defining key messages, and developing policy briefs and training sessions. The Policy and Advocacy Advisor will stay abreast of political developments, providing snapshots and analysis to the CIVIC Ukraine team.

The Policy and Advocacy Advisor will actively contribute to shaping CIVIC events, including the annual Protection of Civilians conference, ensuring high level GoU representation, and in-depth contributions to themes and discussions.

The Policy and Advocacy Advisor will work closely with CIVIC’s Ukraine’s Researcher and Communications Officer on products including research reports, op-eds, articles and campaigns. The Policy and Advocacy Advisor will also work with HQ colleagues, providing expert input when required.

Overall, the Policy and Advocacy Advisor will reinforce CIVIC’s capacity to influence key stakeholders in order to achieve our goal of a reduction of civilian harm through strengthening the capacity of governments, armed actors, communities, and civil society to adopt and implement better POC policies and practices.

KEY FUNCTIONS

PoC Policy

• Review CIVIC’s PoC Policy, lead a consultative process to update the policy where needed, ensuring a high-quality finished product that is well understood
• Develop key messages and talking points for PoC policy
• Plan and implement PoC Policy advocacy events with key government stakeholders and sector contacts, advocating for adoption and ratification of the policy

External policy and advocacy

• Identify entry points for engagement with GoU ministries, building relationships with key stakeholders. Develop talking points, supporting the Country Director with preparation and execution of successful meetings
• Contribute to CIVIC’s visibility with key GoU stakeholders and within the Protection sector
• Stay up to date on relevant policy updates and changes of key personnel within the GoU, understand the implications for CIVIC and the Protection sector
• Establish effective channels to share policy and advocacy updates internally and externally

CIVIC strategy development and implementation

• Develop CIVIC Ukraine’s Advocacy Strategy (including stakeholder mapping, action plan and budget), consulting with CIVIC Ukraine and HQ colleagues, ensuring this is in line with the CIVIC Ukraine Country Strategy
• Contribute to the annual review of the CIVIC Ukraine Country Strategy, ensuring it remains relevant, agile, fit for purpose, and able to deliver impact
• Define key messages at local, regional and national levels
• Advise the Country Director of talking points and collaboratively decide on CIVIC’s organizational position at key moments or on difficult issues
• Highlight gaps in CIVIC Ukraine policy, and identify opportunities to embed policy changes within programming across all teams
• Understand and disseminate changes in GoU positioning on key topics with CIVIC Ukraine team
• Monitor work of other key organisations in the sector, sharing relevant updates with the Country Director

Events, research and communications

• Collaborate with colleagues to contribute meaningfully to events including CIVIC’s annual PoC conference, including suggesting themes, participating in discussions, and securing attendance from appropriate high-level GoU representatives
• Work closely with CIVIC Ukraine’s Researcher on research papers, policy positions, and analysis of government and sector stakeholder policies
• Hold internal workshops and training sessions to share updates with the CIVIC Ukraine team, ensuring that the relevance to CIVIC’s work is well understood
• Work with the Country Director and Communications Officer on publicity products, op-eds, articles and press opportunities
• Identify relevant external events at which CIVIC should be present, securing attendance and speaking roles where relevant and possible
• When appropriate, represent CIVIC with high-level external stakeholders, the media, and the general public in order to promote CIVIC’s mission

Other

• Adhere to CIVIC Ukraine’s security policies and instruction, including attending security courses as required (e.g. Hostile Environment Awareness Training)
• Adhere to CIVIC’s HR policies, complete all mandatory onboarding training
• Support the Country Director with ad hoc tasks in line with operational necessity, when requested

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• 6+ years of experience in a related field, at least 2 of which with an international organization
• Subject-matter expertise in CIVIC’s work including protection of civilians, international humanitarian and human rights law, etc,
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject at a minimum
• Demonstrable achievements in leading advocacy efforts in Ukraine
• Established network with, and deep understanding of, the Government of Ukraine structure and key policy topics
• Teamwork experience and ability to work collaboratively across teams
• Skills in explaining complex policy positions to people with different levels of understanding, tailoring language appropriately
• Ability to remain calm and productive under pressure, prioritize amongst competing demands, and deliver on time-sensitive requests
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to CIVIC’s mission
• Able to participate in public speaking events
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in a relevant subject preferred