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 affected by the impact of the Syria crisis – addressing 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: The Economic Justice Research and Policy Adviser will work with the Lebanon Policy Advisor (head of policy) and the Economic Justice programme coordinator and team to lead on and inform research, analysis of trends and contribute to developing Oxfam’s policy positions on access to work and livelihoods opportunities; as well as 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 expected to work closely with the EJ programme team and the Oxfam Policy advisor towards common objectives and to contribute to national and international advocacy and campaigning work.   She/he will lead on research development  on various economic justice issues including but not limited too:   -          Right to work for non-Lebanese  - mainly Syrian refugees (sponsorship, working visa, seasonal, internship/apprenticeship): opportunities, barriers, exemplary collaborations  (national + Bekaa) -          Situation of working conditions (descent job) (Lebanese, non-Lebanese, women/men) -          Child labour -          Access to credit/saving opportunities for poor Lebanese and refugees -          Poverty, inequality, and Social protection in Lebanon -          Social entrepreneurship   –Engage in evidence-based policy advocacy with relevant stakeholders at local and national level to inform policy  on  Local Economic Development (LED), address gaps between policy and practice, tool may include, but not limited to:   -          Case studies generation -          Organization of Roundtables -          Development of briefing papers -          Support to the local actors in  advocating government representatives Organization and/or participation in awareness raising events       REPORTING LINES: The post holder reports to policy advisory (head of policy), working closely with the economic justice coordinator and field teams in the Bekaa and North Lebanon. .     BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: No regular budget responsibility – will be required to complete periodic narrative reports as part of the Oxfam financial management procedures, and some ad hoc budget management linked to specific project activities.     DIMENSIONS: Represents Oxfam at coordination meetings and with external contacts in local government, UN and with civil society. Provides specialist policy advice and contextual analysis on legal frameworks (mainly)/ practices to EJ programme and Lebanon programme colleagues. Works effectively with multiple internal stakeholders and teams Demonstrates the understanding of the need for good relationships with both local and national government actors. Proven ability to motivate and persuade 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. Proven problem solving abilities. Shows a willingness to observe and listen before taking decisions.     KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:   Work closely with programme team to jointly compile, gather and analyse information from our programs 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. Feed into the economic justice programme on ensuring strong linkages between policy and programmes under the guidance of the EJ coordinator Identify how area-specific research and program evidence can be used for change on a local and national levels Participate in policy initiatives with external agencies, under the guidance and supervision of the Policy Adviser Represent Oxfam at livelihoods sector working group Under supervision of policy advisor, work in  collaboration with relevant programme staff and management, develop working relations with key stakeholders across local authorities, central authorities and civil society to influence agenda setting on economic justice an livelihoods issues In collaboration with policy advisor leads on developing and delivering Oxfam’s EJ program analysis, strategy and messages through close consultation and coordination with field staff, EJ programme teams and 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 dev 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) 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) Proven experience of designing social and economic research, including research design and methodologies, data collection and analysis (E) Proven experience of evidence-based policy work (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)