Economic Justice Research And Policy Adviser

OXFAM PURPOSE: To work with others to overcome poverty and suffering.   TEAM  PURPOSE: To  work with and engage others to improve the lives of populations in Lebanon– addressing the economic impact of the Syria Crisis on communities, systemic issues that shape inequality and access to services in Lebanon, as part of the Economic Justice programme as well as promoting quality of asylum and social justice through an effective Oxfam ‘one programme’ approach.   JOB PURPOSE:  Lead by the Policy Advisor, the Economic Justice Research and Policy Adviser will work with the Economic Justice programme coordinator and team to lead on and inform research, monitoring, analysis of trends and contribute to developing Oxfam’s policy positions on pertinent socio-economic issues including access to decent work, labour rights and economic disparities. In addition, the EJ research and policy adviser will directly support the country teams in maintaining an updated and valuable analysis of the economic and livelihoods situation in the country. The post-holder is managed by the Lebanon Policy Adviser and expected to work closely with the EJ programme team and the Oxfam Policy team, including the Protection Research and Policy Adviser, towards common objectives and to contribute to national and international advocacy and campaigning work.   She/he will lead on developing an evidence-base, linked to and grounded within Oxfam’s program work, on various economic justice issues including but not limited to:   -          Access to decent work for Lebanese and non-Lebanese: opportunities, barriers, legal framework -          The state of working conditions (adherence to minimum standards at the work place and accountability mechanisms): Lebanese, non-Lebanese, women/men -          Child labour, inclusion of people living with disabilities etc. -          Poverty, inequality, and Social protection in Lebanon -          Social entrepreneurship   Produce and engage in evidence-based policy advocacy with relevant stakeholders at the local and national level to inform policy reform, Oxfam international campaigns and programmes on  Local Economic Development (LED), through different tools including, but not limited to:   -          Quantitative and qualitative research -          Case studies generation -          Analysis of trends based on program data/monitoring -          Organization of and facilitation of Roundtables -          Development of briefing papers/policy papers, lobby notes -          Development of advocacy messaging and policy recommendations -          Support to the local actors in  advocating government representatives -          Organization and/or participation in awareness raising events -          Engagement with key national and international stakeholders, including government officials -          Representation on various working groups and coordination platforms       REPORTING LINES: The post holder reports to the Policy Adviser (head of policy), working closely with the Economic Justice Coordinator, Project Managers and field teams.     BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: No regular budget responsibility – will be required to complete regular activity reports, periodic narrative reports as part of the Oxfam’s programmatic and financial management procedures, and ad hoc budget management linked to specific project activities.     DIMENSIONS: Provides specialist policy advice and contextual analysis on relevant legal frameworks and practices to EJ programme and Lebanon programme colleagues. Works effectively with multiple internal stakeholders and teams as well as partners. Demonstrates an understanding of the need for networking with both local and national government actors. Demonstrates ability to motivate and influence at high levels. Helps shape decisions and policies are varying levels. Provides expert technical knowledge and information. Produces, assimilates, analyses and uses programme information from varied and diverse sources to provide in-depth analysis in the specific programme unit or policy area. Leads on research in related EJ fields. Proven problem solving abilities. Shows a willingness to observe and listen before taking decisions. Proactive and engaging. Adaptable and flexible to work in a fast paced and complex organization.     KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:   Work closely with programme team to jointly compile, gather and analyse information from programmes to use for policy advocacy purposes, working as part of the team to ensure that Oxfam policy advocacy is based on program evidence and contextual analysis; Produce analysis and policy products as required, briefing papers on economic justice/livelihoods to promote Oxfam’s EJ agenda, with local to national government, and with national civil society and international organisations; Drive the communications loop policy to programme, ensuring  strong linkages between the two Use Economic Justice programmatic and research evidence to shape influencing objectives under the country strategy and ensure dissemination of information to confederation under the leadership of policy advisor; Participate in policy initiatives with external agencies, under the guidance and supervision of the Policy Adviser; Works with the EJ programme staff to define common objectives and ensure the integration of policy advocacy into programme planning and implementation; Provides in-depth analysis of political, social, economic and humanitarian context (linked to economic development and livelihoods) to inform the work of the Lebanon EJ programme; Ensure that all work addresses the challenges of gender justice.     SKILLS AND COMPETENCE: (E = essential, D = desirable)   Master’s degree in relevant area (e.g. economics, development studies, political science) from a recognised university. (E) Extensive knowledge of the Lebanon’s economic and employment policy environment, regulations and legal frameworks for Lebanese and refugees from Syria working in the formal and informal sectors. (E) Proven experience of designing social and economic research, including quantitative and qualitative research design, methodology development, data collection and analysis. (E) Proven experience of evidence-based policy work. (E) Understanding of emerging trends and challenges with the right to work for refugees and the right to decent work and social protection for Lebanese. (E)  Demonstrated experience of integrating gender considerations into economic policy  strategies and recommendations. (D) Experience working with communities and civil society organisations, especially in supporting their linking of on-the-ground issues to national-level change. (E) Ability to work with UN agencies, INGOs, civil society, government agencies and policy makers. (D) Proven ability to communicate easily and readily verbally and in written form, fast delivery of a substantial workload with completed, specific planned deliverables, and to write policy documents, grant proposals, etc. (E) Team player, self-motivated, ability to work with little supervision. (E) Ability to travel outside Beirut with possibility of overnight stays in field offices. (E) Fluency in both Arabic and English. (E)