Policy Advocacy Officer - Natural Resource Governance Institute

Background/NRGI Summary:  The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) is a nonprofit policy institute and grant-making organization that promotes the responsible management of oil, gas and mineral resources for the benefit of all.  Improving natural resource governance is one of the most significant development challenges of the decade and will determine the future of 1 billion people globally who live in scarcity in the midst of resource abundance. Countries with non-renewable resource wealth face both a challenge and an opportunity—when used poorly or squandered, non-renewable resource wealth can cause economic instability, social conflict and lasting environmental impacts; used well, they can create prosperity for current and future generations. NRGI is a recognized leader in the field of natural resource governance, helping people to realize the benefits of their countries’ endowments of oil, gas and minerals in order to build a more stable and sustainable future. For more information, please visit www.resourcegovernance.org

Job Overview/Summary:

Contributing to the achievement of NRGI’s goals to ensure increased transparency and accountability in the extractive sector in Ghana. The Policy Advocacy Officer will work with a variety of stakeholders including, government, Civil Society Organizations, Parliament, Media, Business Companies and Oversight Actors to influence policies and agendas, using sound political & legal judgements, sensitivity, and strong negotiation skills.

Major Responsibilities:

 The post holder will be responsible for the development and implementation of effective policy advocacy strategies on oil, gas & mining aimed at delivering on NRGI Ghana Country Strategy. The post holder will Provide specialist advice and specific skills to mainstream and reinforce policy advocacy work with partners. Part of the role will be coordinating efforts and navigating complex internal and external relationships to achieve intended policy and practice change. He /She will be responsible for making strategic and informed decisions, based on technical expertise, political analysis, consultation with colleagues and allies, and using strong problem-solving skills as  well as;

• Lead the coordination & implementation of NRGI Ghana Policy Advocacy & Media Programs by working closing with teams, stakeholders & developing policy advocacy issues from the Ghana Country Strategy.
• Develop and prioritize key objectives for Ghana’s extractive policy advocacy work, based on the strengths, gaps and interests of partners; and the focus, added-value, expertise and policy positions of NRGI within the Country Strategy.
• Work with partners, allies and NRGI colleagues, develop well-focused strategies to achieve these objectives, ensuring a strong link between Parliament, Media and National-level Partner programs.
• Develop, implement, monitor and report on work plans based on these strategies, including through regular reports to the Country Manager.
• Maintain ongoing knowledge, understanding and analysis of relevant government and donor policy and practice and civil society policy advocacy initiatives on oil, gas & mining in order to inform NRGI’s annual planning processes & strategy development.
• Build and manage relationships with agents of change, key partners, including government ministries, parliamentarians, media, donors, and international institutions; maintain regular contact to ensure ongoing access to relevant information for policy engagements and influence.
• Work closely with NRGI Ghana and relevant regional & global teams where appropriate to ensure coherence between policy lines and other advocacy work at national, regional and international levels, and to ensure that global advocacy work is informed by Ghana’s experience.
• Maintain appropriate collaboration with NRGI’s global advocacy and communications teams to ensure wide visibility of Ghana’s programs.
• Carry out continuous review and gap Identification of Ghana’s extractive legal reforms, policies and stakeholder capacity gap analysis, and develop appropriate policy advocacy strategies including trainings to address these gaps and mobilize momentum for impact.

• Lead in the production of policy advocacy materials; tools and briefs for and to enhance capacity of accountability actors (CSOs, Media, Parliament & Academia) to demand transparency and accountability in the extractive sector
• Conduct policy analysis and provide technical assistance to government officials and parliamentarians, to inform decisions about policy and legislation related to the economic management of natural resources
• Build networks with relevant agents of change within government officials, parliamentarians, academia, media and civil society groups, and represent NRGI at national, regional & global events

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Ghana Country Program Manager

Position directly supervises:  n/a

Indirect Reporting:

Other Internal and/or external contacts: describe the nature of departments or groups the position influences or requires support from to accomplish objectives.

Internal:

External:

Job Requirements:

Demonstrated Knowledge and Experience;

• At least three years’ experience in running and managing projects in national or an international development context particularly Policy Advocacy programs
• Strong Policy Analysis preferably from a legal Perspective
• Strong policy analysis experience demonstrated by examples of impact on significant policy change
• An understanding of how to use policy analysis, research, networking, media, communications and alliance-building to influence a political agenda.
• Proven experience of engaging with and influencing decision-makers, and sound political judgment and sensitivity.
• An understanding of Ghanaian advocacy, movements and civil society organisations, and of the functioning and relationships of key players in development, including donor governments and international institutions.
• Significant experience of working in partnership with civil society organisations, media, Government, Parliament, national and international organizations.
• Prior knowledge of Ghana’s extractive sector, governance, transparency and accountability context and development issues

Skills and Abilities;

• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills and proven experience of strategy development.
• Excellent communication, presentation, writing and analytical skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage complex and sensitive organizational & partner relationships.
• Demonstrable understanding of and commitment to promoting gender equity and the interests of marginalized people in policy advocacy work.
• Ability to manage complex workloads and deliver outputs and reports to agreed deadlines.
• Fluent English.
• Strong attention to detail;
• Integrity and professional discretion;
• Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition in interacting with colleagues and the general public.

 Education

• Minimum bachelor’s degree; preferred master’s degree in relevant field (economics, political science, law, public administration, development studies, international relations etc.)

Alignment with NRGI Culture and Mission:

All staff uphold the following organization-wide culture and values:

Commitment to furthering NRGI’s mission and core values of integrity, intellectual rigor, respect for evidence, innovation, strategic selectivity and independence.

Demonstrated ability to be a professional, productive member of a diverse community of people at work, working toward shared goals, with mutual respect and accountability in a fast-paced environment.

Personal qualities of capacity for learning, reflection and self-criticism, humility and sense of humor.

Working Environment:  Standard office environment

NRGI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NRGI considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, gender, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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