Defense for Children International - Palestine seeks highly-qualified applicants for the position of Advocacy Unit Coordinator to lead DCIP’s Advocacy Unit. The Advocacy Unit is part of DCIP’s Accountability Program, which offers direct socio-legal services to Palestinian children and collects high-quality evidence that drives innovative national and international advocacy initiatives through campaigns, report writing, advocacy, and media work.
The selected individual will provide strategic leadership for DCIP’s international advocacy, develop and oversee the production of a hybrid journalism and advocacy digital content platform, and provide high-quality, English-language advocacy materials on human rights violations against Palestinian children living in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The individual will manage and assist advocacy staff in their work and implement specific advocacy projects at the international level.
This is a full-time position (40 hours / week) based in DCIP’s Ramallah office, and offers a competitive local salary commensurate with experience. Hours are flexible but involve some evenings and travel. The position reports to the Accountability Program Director, based in Ramallah, and Senior Adviser for Policy and Advocacy, based in New York City.
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Responsibilities
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Develop, implement, oversee and supervise the work of the unit, through coordination with members of the team to identify individual and collective child rights violations and design appropriate advocacy responses.
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Liaise with NGO and UN partners to obtain and share information on violation incidents, and facilitate data reconciliation in conjunction with the Documentation Unit Coordinator.
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Analyze new violation incidents within their political context and with reference to previously recorded incidents in order to identify trends.
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Monitor UN human rights treaty bodies and special procedure mechanisms, as well as the OSRSG-CAAC, Secretary-General, and Security Council, and UN agencies on the ground in order to identify advocacy opportunities.
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Prepare and provide briefings for visiting delegations based on their interests.
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Participate in local UN coordination meetings and local civil society group meetings in order to communicate DCIP’s vision, work, and objectives.
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Produce and coordinate the production of online content for DCIP website and other media, including news alerts, features, op-eds, advocacy campaigns, and other reports on violations of Palestinian children’s rights.
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Ensure clear and consistent messaging and style across all platforms.
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Promote content to maximize audience.
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Update website and/or re-design to ensure an engaging, effective, and user-friendly platform that compels users to take action.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism, law, Middle East regional studies, social sciences, and/or extensive experience in human rights or related work is required. An advanced degree is preferred.
Experience: At least six years of research, editorial or journalistic experience, particularly on topics of Middle East, human rights, and children. A minimum of five years of experience working on human rights or related issues, including time spent in the region, is preferred.
Related Skills and Knowledge:
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Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, including analytical and writing skills across traditional and new media platforms.
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Significant knowledge of human rights and politics in Israel and Palestine is desirable.
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Ability to identify and prioritize, research, analyze, and effectively communicate complex human rights issues in a rigorous, nuanced, and efficient manner is required.
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Ability to produce high-quality English-language written material under tight deadlines is required.
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Ability to identify advocacy opportunities and advise in developing and implementing advocacy strategies is required.
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Strong initiative and follow-through, capacity to think creatively and strategically, ability to multi-task effectively, and ability to work well under pressure are required.
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Experience with online content promotion, including social media, digital analytics, and search optimization.
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Copy-editing (AP style) and fact-checking skills.
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Basic photography skills, multimedia production and visual design (i.e. ability to create infographics/memes) a plus.
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Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
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Strong critical analysis, deadline management skills.
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Arabic language skills preferred.
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Ability to work in an intercultural environment easily.
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High level of computer literacy.
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Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law and international humanitarian law is preferred.
To Apply
If qualified, please email a cover letter, CV, and two English-language writing samples (either links or attachments) and three references to [email protected] by 30 November 2019. Please include “Advocacy Unit Coordinator Application” as the subject of your email.
No phone calls please. The start date for the position is January 2, 2020. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
DCIP is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices.
About Defense for Children International – Palestine
DCIP is an independent, local Palestinian child rights organization dedicated to defending and promoting the rights of children living in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. For over 25 years, we have investigated, documented and exposed grave human rights violations against children; held Israeli and Palestinian authorities accountable to universal human rights principles; and advocated at the international and national levels to advance access to justice and protection for children.