Policy & Advocacy Lead (INT11328)

• Location: Yemen - Aden
• Workplace Type: On-site
• Hours: 40
• Salary: As per Oxfam`s salary scale
• Job Family: Communications
• Division: International
• Grade: National C2
• Job Type: Fixed Term
• Closing Date: 30 November 2025
• Country: Yemen

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

Oxfam is a global movement of people who won’t live with the injustice of poverty. Together we save and rebuild lives in disasters. We help people build better lives for themselves. We speak out on the big issues that keep people poor, like inequality, discrimination against women and climate change. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can live without poverty. Oxfam’s work in the MENA region covers 11 countries, including Yemen.

Oxfam GB is a member of the Oxfam international confederation.

TEAM PURPOSE:

The Yemen Influencing Team covers advocacy, campaigns, policy, research, media and communications work with the Oxfam Country Programme. We work in close collaboration with programme teams to deliver high quality and high impact programming; and leverage our impact through influencing/advocacy in collaboration with our local partners and allies at national regional and international level.

JOB PURPOSE:

In collaboration with the country office staff and partners, as well as Oxfam advocacy and policy colleagues at confederation level, develop, deliver and and coordinate Oxfam’s policy work related to Yemen playing an active role in making Oxfam an influential and leading voice on the crisis, and contributing to the Yemen influencing strategy and to a dynamic, impact-driven campaign.

DIMENSIONS:

• Shows policy leadership and analysis on the impacts of the Yemen crisis on populations, services, and economy
• Core contributor to the development and delivery of the Oxfam Yemen policy work and documents
• Core contributor to analysis of the crisis
• Contributor to campaign strategies within the framework of the Oxfam Country Strategy for Yemen
• Contributes to decisions as to Oxfam’s position on policy issues taking into account the impact of external factors on our programmes and the communities we work with. Also shows good political judgement and consideration of the impact on Oxfam.
• Representation of Oxfam at coordination meetings and with external contacts in governments, UN and with civil society.
• Analysis and interpretation of complex, yet clearly defined issues, drawing on diverse sources of information. These include media reporting, programme findings, updates from peer organisations and relevant authorities.
• Reflects good technical understanding and strong leadership.
• 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.
• Proficient in writing skills.
• Shows a desire to understand programmes and communicates with staff within the appropriate programme teams.

THE ROLE

Policy

• In line with Yemen’s influencing strategy and country strategy, develop Oxfam policies and positions in relation to the humanitarian situation in Yemen;
• Draft policy documents for lobbyists, advocacy and media colleagues;
• Support and take the lead on research development as relevant;
• Support the Advocacy, Media and Campaigns Manager, the Country Director and others as relevant with policy advice;
• Ensure regular context updates are produced for use by the wider confederation;
• Identify potential opportunities for policy/research work and develop these in coordination with other members of the Advocacy, Media and Campaigns team.

Advocacy

• Contribute to advocacy work, through clear action plans and engagement strategies based on regular context and power analysis, and identifying advocacy opportunities;
• Provide input on regional and global advocacy and influencing products as they relate to the situation in Yemen;
• Help manage risks associated with any advocacy activities;

Campaigning

• Proactive participation in campaign decision-making, working closely with the Yemen Advocacy, Media and Campaigns Manager and other policy and media colleagues across the confederation to ensure consistent and informed messages and strategies at local, national, regional and global levels in relation to Yemen;
• Work closely with all colleagues within the Advocacy, Media and Campaigns team to provide policy-relevant input on their work and ensure alignment of messages and priorities.

Strategic Steer & Coordination

• Provide Yemen related information to global advocacy colleagues as needed;
• Support the Advocacy, Media and Campaigns Manager in building consensus among Oxfam affiliates on policies, and coordinating internal sign-off process on all Yemen policy issues;
• Support in the development of the Yemen influencing strategy, and take the lead in developing parts of the strategy where relevant;
• Ensure that policy and advocacy positions are communicated to colleagues at Oxfam in Yemen, and the wider confederation;
• Contribute to Oxfam’s internal annual and/or quarterly planning and reporting.

Lobbying & Networking

• Work with the Advocacy, Media and Campaigns Manager and other relevant colleagues to lobby and maintain close relations with key stakeholders based in Yemen and the region;
• Share information from such meetings with Oxfam lobbyists across the confederation;
• Coordinate advocacy with other partners and allies as relevant;
• Ensure regular participation in the NGO Advocacy Working Group, and other relevant forums;
• Representation of Oxfam as delegated by the CD and Advocacy, Media and Campaigns Manager.

National Influencing

• Work with programme managers to develop policy analysis for policy and practice changes within programmatic areas, develop effective advocacy strategies for programmes, and deliver on programme policy components;
• Ensure that Oxfam’s programme policy work aligns with within Oxfam’s national influencing strategy and that messages are consistent.

Cooperation with Oxfam Partners

• Advise, liaise with and/or facilitate advice to a diverse network of Oxfam partner organizations and allies in their advocacy efforts;
• Contribute to strengthening the link between Oxfam’s advocacy work and the advocacy and programme priorities of partners;

One program

• Contribute and periodically review influencing issues coming from the Oxfam projects making up the country program;
• Contribute to ensuring that Oxfam’s policy, advocacy and wider influencing work is consistent with and complements our programme priorities.

Any other task which be reasonably requested to be undertaken within the scope of this post.

What we are looking for: 

We’re looking for a candidate who cares about Oxfam's mission to end poverty and is personally aligned to our feminist principles and values of empowerment, accountability and inclusion in all you do.

An ideal candidate for the role will also be / have:

• Substantial experience in policy and advocacy work at local, national and international levels
• Knowledge of and working experience in Yemen is essential and the region is an asset.
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills, ability to think innovatively and strategically
• Experience of working in a humanitarian and protracted response context
• Excellent oral and written communications skills. Ability to write substantial pieces of analysis.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills, with experience representing organizations in high-level forums and coordination platforms.

We offer:

We offer a competitive salary and a range of additional benefits to staff including flexible working options, generous pension scheme, annual leave, additional leave allowances, company sick pay, life assurance and a range of other benefits. 

From the day you join Oxfam we invite you to stretch and learn in your role. Our wide range of Learning & Development opportunities includes in-house courses, e-learning modules, on-the job learning opportunities, coaching and mentoring, and much more. 

You can read more about all Oxfam has to offer here.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

About us

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of international confederation of 21 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries. 

A thriving diverse Oxfam: 

It’s people power that brings about change. To play our part as a global organisation working to overcome poverty and inequality, we need equality, diversity and inclusion across our community of staff, partners and volunteers. Together, we’re committed to becoming a more diverse workforce, better able to tackle the global challenges that face our world today.