Advocacy Advisor Multi Country (Nairobi Based, Open for Kenyans only)

Country: Kenya Organization: Norwegian Refugee Council Closing date: 15 Nov 2026 Background: The humanitarian situation in Somalia and Kenya in 2026 remains among the most severe and protracted, driven by conflict, economic pressures, climate shocks, disease outbreaks, mass displacement, and shrinking humanitarian funding. An estimated 26- million people across both countries require assistance in 2026. Conflict and climate shocks in Somalia fuel internal displacement, placing additional pressure on already overstretched services and humanitarian systems. NRC works in Somalia to protect the rights of displaced and vulnerable people during crisis and meet immediate humanitarian needs, prevent further displacement, and contribute to durable solutions. Access remains a significant operational challenge due to active conflict, insecurity and bureaucratic impediments, making it difficult for aid organisations to reach those in need. Our programmes primarily include rapid response to emergencies, multipurpose cash assistance, legal protection, education, shelter, and water, sanitation and hygiene. Beyond this, NRC co-leads or supports coordination structures in both countries, including Shelter, CCCM and Protection clusters and the HLP and Durable Solutions Working Groups. What you will do: The Advocacy Advisor plays a pivotal role in shaping NRC’s policy influence and public positioning in Somalia and Kenya, two of the most complex humanitarian contexts globally. Operating at a senior level, the role leads the design and implementation of advocacy and communications strategies, ensuring coherence with country programme priorities and global standards. It provides expert analysis, develops evidence based advocacy products, and represents NRC in key fora, while also building the capacity of staff and partners to amplify the voices of displaced communities. By bridging operational realities with policy engagement, the Advocacy Manager ensures NRC’s responses are not only impactful on the ground but also contribute to systemic change at national, regional, and international levels. General Responsibilities: • Identify and coordinate NRC’s advocacy response to prioritised issues both within the country and internationally • Develop and implement an impactful advocacy and communications strategy, aligned with the overall country strategy. • Develop CO media plan and lines, ensuring risk analyses are made regarding public positions or statements and sign-off procedures are adhered to • Line management of communications teams, including development of staff if applicable, budget planning and execution, and other administration • Ensure systematic training on advocacy and communication to develop capacity of all relevant staff (within and beyond the advocacy and media department) and ensure compliance with NRC policies, e.g. informed consent, data protection, social media standards Specific responsibilities: • Strategically and ethically raise issues and voices of displaced people in Somalia and Kenya to the attention of decision-makers, duty-bearers, and the public, through both traditional and innovative means • Increase accountability of NRC Somalia and Kenya through providing regular and consistent information publicly, about the situations we are responding to and the state of our response (or contributions to coordinated responses) • Contribute to Country Office and Area Office problem, protection, and programme analyses and ‘systems thinking’ with a policy lens and a public interest lens, and subsequently promote that relevant policy, advocacy, and communications elements are integrated when designing responses and strategies • Coordinate and monitor implementation and impact of NRC Somalia, Kenya, etc. advocacy and media plans and strategies • Prepare high quality briefings, reports, press statements, letters, and other communications materials (including visual, digital, and social media) for internal coordination and external use Please read the full Job Description as the above-mentioned responsibilities are just a snapshot. What you will bring: Generic professional competencies: • Post-graduate with minimum five years of relevant experience within the humanitarian field or international media/organisations • Must have humanitarian advocacy experience and policy management from different contexts. • Relevant experience in advocacy, communications, media, or humanitarian policy • Experience working in complex and insecure contexts, preferably in the Horn of Africa • Strong understanding of humanitarian coordination architecture and donor environments • Proven experience engaging media and managing sensitive external communications • Experience producing high-level advocacy products and policy analysis. • Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities • High levels of flexibility and creativity • Documented professional experience of working in or with international media • Strong managerial and interpersonal skills • Fluency in English with strong verbal and written communications skills Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience: • Knowledge of international legal and policy processes and instruments relating to displacement, protection, peace/conflict, and humanitarian action • Cogent communication skills, both written and verbal • Aptitude to think creatively and boldly, to engage (potentially hostile) protection and access advocacy targets What we offer: • Duty station: Nairobi (national contract) • Contract: 24 Months (renewable based on funding and performance) • Travel: 70% of dedicated time to the Somalia country office, including regular visits to Somalia (once every 3 months); 10% dedicated time to the Kenya country office; and 20% travel to other countries in East Africa to be identified. • Salary/benefits: grade 9 on NRC’s national salary scale • NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. • We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative. Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC Important information about the application process • For Internal candidates: To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email or click on Opportunity MarketPlace. • When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education. • Applicants who do not fill in the required information will not be considered for the role. • Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV. • Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered. • Mandatory to submit the below when applying: Your most updated English CV and remove all previous outdated CVs. Your most updated Cover Letter Applicants should include to their Cover Letter, links to their three most compelling advocacy, media & communications production in their cover letter, ideally one text, one video, one TV/radio interview. Do not attach certificates or any other documents from the two mentioned above. Incomplete applications will not be considered. • This position is open for national candidates who have the legal right to work in Kenya. NRC will not sponsor visa nor residency permits. • We receive many applications for each vacant position and so only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. • If you have any questions about this role, please email esa.recruitment@nrc.nowith the job title as the subject line. Why NRC? The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year. Watch this short video to see NRC in action. We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to: • do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts. • join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility. • be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity. • Learn more about NRC About Us The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Join us in assisting millions of people in areas where others cannot, tackling some of the world's most dangerous and difficult crises. Bring your skills and dedication to an organisation recognised for providing high quality aid and for defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced people. At NRC, we give responsibility to employees at all levels and foster professional growth and innovative teams. You can expect a supportive culture and an open dialogue with management. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Together, we save lives and rebuild futures. Safeguarding is central to NRC’s work. We expect all employees to: • treat everyone with respect and dignity • contribute to building a safe environment for all • never engage in any form of exploitation, harassment and specifically sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH) • always report. NRC has a zero-tolerance approach to inaction against exploitation, abuse and SEAH How to apply Apply here.