Advocacy Officer

Terms of Reference

Post Title: Advocacy Officer

Contract Period: 1st August 2024 – 31st July 2025

Contract type: Fixed term (with possibility of extension) 

Hiring Process: Rolling Basis

About YUWA 

Established in 2009, YUWA is a registered not-for-profit, purely youth-run and led organization that promotes youth participation through empowerment and advocacy. YUWA was born out of a group of committed youths, unofficially working in this sector since 2005. The initial focus was to develop the leadership skills of the involved youths, to train as youth activists, and to advocate for change, thus resulting in a wide and diverse array of knowledge, skills, and experience in this sector. It led to the realization of the seriousness of youth issues and the need to act, which, finally took the shape of YUWA. YUWA currently works in three thematic areas: Active Citizenship, Sexual and Reproductive Rights and Research Unit. 

Roles and Responsibilities

Coalition Building, Campaigning and Advocacy

• Support executive board and Program coordinator to represent YUWA in the advocacy related networks and in developing strategic advocacy plans that leverage policy insights to drive change at the national level.
• Establish, develop, and maintain a network of contacts and good working relations with stakeholders, donors and important government partners including relevant ministers and related line agencies. 
• Support executive board and Program coordinator in leading advocacy strategies related to SRHR and coordinate with the team to strengthen documentation, implementation and monitoring of young people’s SRHR related advocacy efforts from YUWA. 
• Support communication department to develop and implement a strategic media engagement plan to disseminate SRHR advocacy messages through various media channels, ensuring broad public awareness and support.

Support SRHR Project Management 

• In coordination with the program coordinator (PC) support preparation and implementation of activities for RHRN 2 Project and other preparatory procedures in coordination with RHRN2 secretariat and coalition organizations. 
• In coordination with the PC support, plan, prepare, implement, and monitor activities under SRHR department. 
• Support PC in ensuring high-quality development and implementation of YUWA’s activities under RHRN-2 annual workplan, and review and revise them periodically as the need arises in consultation with Office Supervisor or Country Coordinator. 
• Support in compiling program reports and prepare high-quality reports for YUWA’s own and funder’s requirements and contribute to quarterly progress and annual organizational reports in coordination with the M&E team. 
• Assist PC in managing and monitoring YUWA’s project budgets, and work with the Finance team in developing accurate financial reports. 
• Manage and store all data, resources, and information regarding the program in online and offline backup mediums. 
• Assist PC in building, supporting and sustaining harmonious relationships with the coalition partners, taking into consideration YUWA’s partnership principles.

Carry out SRHR Department Activities 

• Research and explore potential funding opportunities for the department. 
• Assist PC in building and sustaining relationships with donors for the department. 
• Ensure all project activities planned under the department are delivered. 
• Support PC in ensuring submission of narrative and financial reports that comply with YUWA and donor’s requirements. 
• Coordinate with the team for development of funding proposals related to the department and review them when necessary. 
• Supervise SRHR program support staff and interns. 
• Support PC in initiating different in-house programs and other management interventions wherever gaps in the programs are identified or issues arise.

Organizational Development and Team Tasks 

• Contribute to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of YUWA’s strategic plan.  
• Contribute to others shared programs tasks of YUWA, such as joint advocacy planning and development, information scanning, visitor orientation, publication outputs, promotion of YUWA, and others. 
• Contribute to mid-year, annual and long-term review of strategic planning. 
• Contribute to and participate in organization-wide tasks, such as staff meetings, staff capacity development activities, annual retreat, evaluation and planning meeting, staff representation at Annual General Meetings, intern/volunteer/visitor orientation, and others. 
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Program Coordinator

Minimum Qualifications and Transferable Skills 

• Minimum bachelor’s degree or higher in public health, or other relevant discipline. 
• A minimum of two years of professional experience working in the fields of youth engagement, advocacy and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• At least 1 year of experience of working with similar roles and responsibilities 
• Experience with coordination, convening roles and facilitation skills will be a plus. 
• Experience working in a civil society organization, local or provincial governments or any other government entities will be an added advantage. 
• Advanced knowledge of the Microsoft Office package (including MS Work, Excel, and PowerPoint) and the internet is an asset.
• Background or experience in creative storytelling or strategic communication is a plus.

Reporting Lines 

The Advocacy officer will report to the SRHR Program Coordinator, who is responsible for overseeing the SRHR department of the organization. The coordinator will collaborate closely with the communication department and work in coordination with program officers and other team members.

Working Relationships

The officer will establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, including program officers, the creative department, and other relevant teams within the organization. They will also engage with external stakeholders such as donors, partners, and policymakers.

Duration and Contract

Contract: The contract will be a fixed-term contract, with a three-month probation period. The contract will include details of compensation, benefits, and other relevant terms and conditions.

General Profile

a. Teamwork

• Adds value to team-based activities; collaborates with other projects, consortium partners, and when necessary.
• Illustrates integrity, a collaborative working style, team spirit, and respect for colleagues, partners, and communities.

b. Leadership:

• Can work with minimal guidance and supervision.
• Acts as a model or mentor for less experienced colleagues.
• Acts in all assignments with self-motivation and accountability.
• Can be expected to travel within different geographic parts of Nepal, with or without the team within the scope of the project.
• Coordinates with partners, as well as other stakeholders.
• Able and willing to take on a leadership role and develop leadership skills.

c. Problem-solving

• Identifies and resolves complex problems; approaches issues with new perspectives; analyses situations from a multitude of intervening factors.

d. Organizational values

• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with organizational guidelines.
• Acts in accordance with YUWA's core values: meaningful and inclusive youth participation, gender-transformative approach, inclusiveness, do no harm, and accountability.

e. Programmatic knowledge and skill

• Has a good understanding of relevant programmatic issues within the scope of the project. 
• Contributes to the preparation of reports and project briefs, identification of innovative ways of implementing the project, and all other activities related to partnership building.
• Be below 29 years of age.

f. Communication and interpersonal skills

• Liaises regularly with all internal and external stakeholders involved in the project.
• Uses the established communication mechanisms to communicate and/give feedback.
• Have an attitude to learn and unlearn, ability to engage in impactful and constructive conversation on difficult topics.
• Fluent in both English and Nepali, both written and oral is required.

Application Process

Interested candidates are requested to submit your resume, cover letter including age and salary expectation  and a report that you have worked on to  https://yuwa.org.np/career by 31 July 2024.

The applicants will be shortlisted and will be called for a written examination and interview. Please note that this application will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  People from marginalized communities and sexual and gender minorities are encouraged to apply.