1.  Purpose of the Position:

Reporting to, guided and directed by the Director of Institute, and in close liaison with other members of the Institute’s staff, the Research and Advocacy Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing an integrated research and advocacy strategy that advances GFPI’s peacebuilding agenda. The role combines policy-oriented research and analysis with strategic advocacy to influence policy and practice. The specialist will:

• develop, coordinate, and oversee policy engagement plan in countries where GFP programs are
• implemented in coordination with Programmes Department staff and GFP local Pioneers;
• identify partners for strategic partnerships with GFPI on policy engagements;
• design and lead high-quality policy research and analysis that informs GFPI’s advocacy priorities;
• translate research into actionable policy briefs, position papers, and targeted messaging;
• develop and manage policy engagement and advocacy plans with relevant stakeholders nationally and internationally;
• coordinate and deliver advocacy and engagement events, including roundtables, public dialogues, webinars, and campaigns;
• build and maintain strategic partnerships with policy stakeholders, researchers, and advocacy actors;
• develop and maintain database of policy stakeholders, policy think tanks, and donors relevant to policy research strategic interests of GFPI; and
• Ensure GFPI is a thought leader at the intersection of research, policy, and practice in peacebuilding.

2.  Responsibilities:

Advocacy and Policy Engagement (45%)

• Develops, in close cooperation with the Director of Institute, the GFPI’s the policy engagement plan and strategy, which should build both internal influencing capacity as well as define and pursue core organisational influencing priorities.
• Develops, adapts, and integrates the innovative advocacy approaches and opportunities that promote GFPI’s work, leverage the expertise, and ensure overall GFPI’s positioning and credibility.
• Develops, in close collaboration with the relevant teams, policy messaging on sustaining peace agenda; peacebuilding; conflict analysis/transformation; reconciliation; youth peace security (YPS) and women peace security (WPS); human security; preventing violent extremism (PVE), and other relevant topics, including commissioning, writing, and researching policy and advocacy products.
• Focuses on building the policy case for the peacebuilding field by working collaboratively with GFP teams in Jordan and in the USA and GFP/GFPI partners around the world, and leveraging their analysis, data, and expertise to provide operational and locally rooted recommendations to policymakers and peers.
• Engages senior level policymakers and peers working in the areas relevant to peacebuilding, and regularly engages in information exchanges, consultation, and analysis.
• Holds key relationships with the peacebuilding sector in Jordan, sharing plans, building intelligence and possible areas of partnership and collaboration which involves regular contact and development of excellent personal relationships with advocacy targets.
• Provides subject matter expert inputs to Programmes, Communication, and Fundraising Departments regarding the GFP’s PVE, mental health, protection, and human security programming in Jordan.

Policy Research (30%)

• Leads on identifying key and emerging areas of policy analysis and develop outreach plans and stakeholder maps for GFPI’s policy engagements that maintains the GFPI’s reputation for innovation, quality, impact, and sustainability within the fields of sustainable peace and conflict transformation.
• Leads on context analysis of emerging themes and policy designs, insights, and approaches relevant to peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
• Contributes to the development of proposals and fundraising concept notes and provides input on policy engagement activities to be integrated in various programmes designs.

Influence and Representation (10%)

• Represents GFPI at senior-level briefings within and beyond peacebuilding/conflict field. Leads policy representation for GFPI.
• Networks and recommends strategic partnerships to advance GFPI’s peacebuilding agenda, creating quality linkages between GFPI and partners.

Administration (10%)

• Ensures GFPI’s timely and open documentation, deliverables and data are maintained consistently in accordance with policies and standards of GFPI and its donors.
• Develops policy engagement work plan under the supervision of the Director of the Institute.
• Assists with the planning, preparation and execution of the GFPI’s meetings and events.
• Manages workload priorities and deadlines for all GFPI activities and events.
• Maintains regular and timely communication with the Institute Director on progress and delays on tasks.

Personal Learning (5%)

• As part of GFPI’s commitment to institutional learning, commits 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit GFPI as well as themselves.

3. Key Results Areas: (should be based on indicators in KRTs)

• Policy research: research projects results presented, shared, and disseminated in a variety of formats/platforms. Guidance on key emerging policy agendas regularly produced.
• Policy advocacy: thought-leadership strategy developed and applied.
• Influence and representation: speaking opportunities, and established partnerships.
• Administration: project management, workload prioritisation, and meeting deadlines.
• Personal learning: track-record of continuous personal learning, competency development and growth established.

4. Generations For Peace Values:

• Leadership: demonstrating leadership and fostering leadership in others, within the Institutional Learning Team, Programmes Department, Delegates and Pioneers in the field and other stakeholders.
• Respect & Tolerance: showing respect and tolerance for all, within the Institutional Learning Team, Programmes Department, within the wider GFP office, with implementing partners, & with Delegates & Pioneers in the field.
• Empowerment & Teamwork: supporting Institutional Learning Team, Programmes Department members and Delegates and Pioneers in the field, through proactive delegation skills and coaching and guidance to empower them and encourage creativity, use of initiative, and positive participation in teamwork.
• Responsibility: demonstrating and encouraging responsibility, accountability and transparency, professionalism, care and diligence in respect of all people and property, and the brand and reputation of the organisation; seeking quality, effectiveness, sustainability, efficiency and good value for money; to maximise positive impact whilst minimising risk.

5. Education, Qualifications, Competences, Skills Required:

Essential:

• M.A Degree in social science, public policy, international development, economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of eight years of professional experience in a relevant position.
• Proven success in analysing policy setups, engaging policy stakeholders, and managing policy engagements.
• Proven success in tracking performance against project objectives, reporting on outcomes, and analysing data to contribute to continual adaptive management of implementation.
• Proven success in designing and delivering activities.
• Proven ability to analysis research data, data sets, and policy interventions.
• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of multi-sectoral policy design and implementation and excellent knowledge of policy institutions in Jordan.
• Demonstrable experience volunteering in development/ community work.
• Demonstrable experience with translating information from research to support communication and dissemination of research findings and lessons learnt.
• Excellent communications skills, both consensus development and interpersonal. Confidence and enthusiasm when communicating to external partners and internal teams in both formal and information presentations.
• Excellent spoken and written English, and in particular top-quality written English communications.
• Excellent analytical, presentation and reporting skills.
• Familiarity with data management and data analysis skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Excel and at least one software application (SPPS, STATA, R software, Atlas.ti, Nvivo, Kobo ToolBox, MaxQDA, or Magpi).
• Ability to reflect, learn, and improve.
• Ability to lead projects and work independently; to take initiative, think strategically and work creatively.
• Ability to perform in a high-energy environment, with a flexible and enthusiastic approach to work, including the thoughtfulness to work effectively with others in a collaborative workplace. A "can do" attitude, and a willingness to "roll-up sleeves" and personally handle all aspects of position.
• Cultural sensitivity and understanding of different interpretations of communications approaches in global, regional, and local contexts.
• Strong interest in global current affairs, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and international development.

Preferred:

• PhD degree in social science, public policy, international development, economics, or a related field.
• Experience working internationally and in an international organisation.
• Experience working in the field of peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
• Experience in community development and behaviour change.
• Experience working with different age-groups (children, youth, adults) in different contexts.