Research and Advocacy Coordinator

Introduction

WaterAid is an international non-governmental organization. Our mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the world’s poorest communities. WaterAid works by helping local organizations and governments to set up low cost and sustainable WASH solutions that can be managed by the community itself. WaterAid also seeks to influence the policies of other key organizations, such as governments, to secure and protect the right of poor people to safe, affordable water and sanitation services.

Job Purpose

The Research and Advocacy Coordinator is responsible for providing policy analysis of WASH and development issues to enhancing the sector influencing capacity of WaterAid in Pakistan (WAP) and its implementing partners. The Research and Advocacy Coordinator should be able to assist Programme Manager Policy and Advocacy to extend analysis and relationship-building beyond the confines of the WASH sector in order to position WASH as a key economic and human development issue. The Research and Advocacy Coordinator will be a good networker and good at marketing WAP successes. The Research and Advocacy Coordinator will also provide support to WAP’s implementing partners to effectively implement various research and advocacy related initiatives by providing technical guidance and conducting field visits.

Key Working Relationships

• The Research and Advocacy Coordinator will interact with key government departments at Federal and provincial level, parliamentarians, journalists, WaterAid’s implementing partners and other key sector stakeholders (including NGOs, INGOs and other international development agencies)
• Internally the Research and Advocacy Coordinator will liaise with Manager Urban Programme, Manager Rural Programme, Manager BCC, Manger Finance, Manger Quality Assurance & Fund Raising, Communication Coordinator, Provincial Coordinators in Punjab and Sindh and other relevant staff of WaterAid in Pakistan.

Key Accountabilities

Policy Advocacy

• Assist in designing and delivering the Influencing and Enabling Programme to achieve programme objectives with contribution to country change objectives and global aims
• Develop operational plans, strategies including budget for implementation of Influencing and Enabling Programme in consultation with Programme Manager Policy and Advocacy
• Proactively analyse and review sector policies and plans, and seek to influence government and key stakeholders towards pro-poor, gender-sensitive, and sustainable approaches in the sector
• Represent WAP as advised by the Manager P&A at relevant WASH and advocacy forums for lobbying, experience sharing, learning and profile building of WAP
• Support partners in developing and aligning policy and advocacy agenda for creating synergies in the work
• Keep abreast of emerging WASH agenda in the country and globally and work of other agencies in order to target WAP’s advocacy work and identify new opportunities

Research and Documentation

• Identify and coordinate/conduct thematic research studies for supporting the policy and advocacy agenda
• Document and report progress made and challenges encountered on advocacy initiatives
• Support Communication Coordinator to document the programme learning and disseminate key findings inside and outside WAP
• Assist in preparing concept notes and policy briefs on issues of importance to WAP/partners/government/sector

Networking, Collaboration and Alliance Building

• Assist in establishing strong relationship with relevant government ministries/departments and UN and bilateral agencies, INGOs, CSOs, media and academic research institutions for collaboration, support, capacity building and policy influencing
• Assist WAP and partner organizations involvement in and contribution towards sector’s strategic consultative processes at the federal and provincial levels
• Broaden the base of WASH focussed national and international NGOs by integrating WASH agenda into their programmes.

Support in Implementation of Urban and Rural WASH Programmes

• Assist in scaling up of WAP’s successfully demonstrated models through promotion of the same with government and other sector actors.
• Assist partners to develop linkages with district and provincial governments
• Assist in the programme monitoring advocacy initiatives of partners in the field area.

Support and Capacity Building of Partner Organizations

• Assist in identify the needs for advocacy related capacity development of partners.
• Assist Programme Manager Policy Advocacy in developing training programmes and strategic support to partners/stakeholders in this regard, particularly in developing partners staff capacity on advocacy
• Assist partners in developing and implementing effective, efficient and inclusive advocacy initiatives
• Assist in exposure and experience sharing among partners & stakeholders for wider learning
• Contribution to Effectiveness of the Programme and WAP
• Assist in generating and feeding of ground level information and data for designing the programme, advocacy campaigns, concepts papers, and funding proposals
• Provide relevant support and data for six-monthly & annual reports, programme plans and reviews and other need-based reporting to donors and WA-UK
• Assist in monthly review of the partners budgets and follow-up on the recommendations
• Contribute to internal organizational discussions and strategic direction of programmes
• Work collaboratively with other programmes for integrating of cross-programme activities and functions
• Assist in preparation of project plans and budgets with relevance to policy & advocacy
• Support in hosting programme visitors from within the country and abroad
• Actively participate in staff meetings and contribute in team-building initiatives such as annual retreat
• Take on any other tasks assigned by the line manager.

Eligibilities and requirements

Education

• Post-graduate / Masters’ degree in development studies, public policy or development economics

Experience

• Minimum 5-7 years experience of advocacy, research and policy analysis based in Pakistan of which at least 2 years with any reputed international organization
• Knowledge and hands-on experience of designing and conducting research
• Experience of lobbying and / or campaigning work and its planning
• Experience of developing training programmes and facilitating training activities

Other specifications

• Knowledge of working of various government departments at federal and provincial levels
• Knowledge on emerging WASH issues and challenges
• Good grasp on the role of policy analysis, research and advocacy work in development
• Knowledge of NGO policy and advocacy networks and social movements in Pakistan
• Knowledge of poverty, gender, social inclusion and development issues
• Knowledge of political structure, culture and policy making process in the country
• Self motivated person able to work without close supervision
• Able to work effectively in a diverse team environment
• Ability to train and motivate partners and staff effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Willing to work additional hours at crucial times and to travel in the field
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Computer skills (SPSS and other statistical tools, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and web searching/browsing)