Team Purpose

The National Influencing Team (NIT) will be accountable for ensuring that the reach and influence of the OiTZ programme is extended in a manner that retains the integrity of the Oxfam brand and maximises the impact of programmes as informed by the National Influencing Guidelines, and Oxfam Brand and Communications Guidelines.
Encompassing the organisation’s advocacy, policy, campaigns, research and communications functions, the team will manage external relations and public perception in addition to supporting wide dissemination of Oxfam’s policy positions, facilitating networking and ensuring that the organisation has the necessary information to engage in influencing activities.

Job Purpose

The Policy and Research Advisor is responsible for managing all research and policy analysis to support campaigns and advocacy as well as basis for programme development. Provides specialists advise to CD and CMT. Champions Oxfam’s role of thought leadership internally and Research & Policy Advisor - Tanzania 2017 externally. The primary liaison between OiTZ and the various policy working groups within Oxfam.
Responsible for managing OiTZ relationships with external research service providers, including academic institutions and think tanks, and quality assures all research generated by the programme. Contributes to capacity building of staff and partners.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Strategic management and thought leadership

• Provides specialist advise to CD and CMT on emerging based
• Support OiTz managers and coordinators prepare Policy Positions and Briefing Papers on key development and humanitarian issues and work closely with the Communications Manager to ensure production of quality external communication materials.
• Coordinate with colleagues in the Oxfam Confederation around Oxfam’s global influencing agenda and support and contribute to the development of Oxfam’s global Position Papers, which is reflective of the Tanzania’s development, political and humanitarian contexts.
• Contribute towards the development, implementation and evaluation of programme, campaign and advocacy strategies for Oxfam and partners.
• Working closely with program teams, identify, Initiate and support the building of strategic partnerships with key external contacts in the CSOs, private sector, government agencies, political entities, educational institutions, diplomatic circles, informal groups and the citizenry.
• Contribute to ensure strong and consistent advocacy messaging and adherence to the OCS commitments on the issues of women rights, youth and pastoralists.
• Initiate and coordinate the development of a clear mapping of the sphere of influence for the thematic areas of the OCS.

2. Lead on research and policy analysis for Oxfam in Tanzania

• In consultation with program leads and partners, advice on areas, which require deeper investigations or studies to inform the program implementation design as well as the advocacy agendas of Oxfam.
• Provide leadership in ensuring Oxfam and partner’s commission quality and innovative researches and coordinate the production process of the study.
• Compile and keep an up-to-date inventory of the contemporary and past research publications and Policy Positions by Oxfam, partners, other INGOs, government agencies, private sector institutions and other stakeholders.
• Provide and assess up-to-date information including a power analysis about trends in politics, development work, humanitarian and citizens’ engagements and advise on the likely implications to Oxfam’s programs
• Advise Oxfam and implementing partners on the opportunities and risks associated with policy advocacy especially on political and governance issues.
  Policy & Research Advisor –Tanzania 2017

3. Working with partners and stakeholders

• Initiate and support capacity-building initiatives of Oxfam program teams and partners in areas of policy advocacy and research.
• Guide and support program managers to ensure they are fully capacitated with relevant and contemporary concepts, tools and tactics in the market to take forward the model of integrating advocacy in programs across all thematic areas

Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge

Essential

• Academic qualification: social or political sciences, research or related field.
• Ability to critically analyze external or independent processes, risks, opportunities and provide accurate assessment of t the implications to Oxfam program and brand.
• Strong research and research management skills with demonstrable experience of designing
  and managing public policy research projects
• Strong qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills
• Excellent skills in political and power analysis
• Ability to build and maintain connections with external resource persons.
• Ability to write high-quality research reports, policy briefings and position papers.
• Strong analytical skills and keen eye for details in public policy pronouncements or publications.
• Experience of contributing to developing advocacy and campaigns strategies delivered in a multi-stakeholder policy reform drives
• High level of interpersonal and communication competencies, persuasive capability, diplomatic tact and negotiation skills. Able to effectively represent Oxfam in relevant policy spaces.
• Sound understanding of external contexts and contemporary development especially in the socio-economic and political environments.
• Excellent knowledge of gender dimensions and issues with capability of conducting quality gender analysis
• Knowledge of working in and managing coalitions, networks and loose groupings
• Sound knowledge of government policy formulation cycle, processes and structures.
• Good knowledge of Tanzania’s legal context including policy and law formulation processes.
• Experience in civic engagement and citizen mobilization.
• Knowledge of national, regional and international affairs, engagements and process broadly but relevant to Oxfam areas of work
• Knowledge and experience in linking local, national, regional, continental and international campaign and advocacy issues and opportunities

Desirable

• Experience of working in a large INGO
• Kiswahili comprehension.