Background:

Saferworld is an independent international organisation working to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives. We work with people affected by conflict to improve their safety and sense of security, and conduct wider research and analysis. We use this evidence and learning to improve local, national and international policies and practices that can help build lasting peace. Our priority is people – we believe in a world where everyone can lead peaceful, fulfilling lives, free from fear and insecurity. We are a not-for-profit organisation operational in over 10 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Saferworld has been working in Africa since 1997, with a primary focus upon East Africa and the Horn region. We have well established programmes in Kenya, Uganda, Somalia and South Sudan. In addition, Saferworld supports regional and international conflict prevention and security processes. Saferworld headquarters are in London, with offices currently in Nairobi, Kampala, Mogadishu, Hargeisa and Juba.

Saferworld has been working on conflict and security issues related to Sudan since2008. Our growing programme focuses on supporting conflict transformation, capacity strengthening and accompaniment of local partners, humanitarian and peace nexus programming as well as analysis and advocacy. This post will focus particularly on leading Saferworld policy and advocacy work in and on Sudan.

Job purpose:

Together with the Sudan Country Director, and the programme team, the Senior Policy and Advocacy Adviser plays a key leadership role in shaping and delivering Saferworld’s policy and advocacy agenda to promote peaceful, just, and inclusive societies in Sudan. They are responsible for generating policy insights, influencing conflict-sensitive policy decisions, and engaging strategically with governments, multilateral bodies (e.g., the UN, AU, EU), civil society, and other key stakeholders engaged on Sudan. This role requires strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, a deep understanding of peacebuilding, conflict dynamics within Sudan and the region, and international political frameworks, along with a strong ability to work with civil society partners and colleagues across the organisation to translate analysis into effective advocacy strategies. While this is a leadership role, a crucial aspect will be collaborative coordination with partners and civil society, supporting analysis and strategy development, facilitating direct access to decision making spaces, and maintaining strong feedback mechanisms.

The Senior Policy and Advocacy Adviser will build and strengthen relations with key partners including civil society organisations at subnational and national level, advocacy networks, donors and key regional policy bodies such as the African Union and IGAD. They will work closely with Saferworld’s Programme Manager and Project Coordinators to support communities and partners to advocate for change, and lead on gathering compelling evidence to inform and influence key decision makers at all levels.

Roles and responsibilities:

1.Policy Development and Analysis

• Lead the development of policy positions and frameworks on peacebuilding, conflict prevention, governance, and related themes in the Sudan Programme strategy and organizational strategy.
• Monitor and analyze policy developments at national, regional, and global levels, with a focus on their impact on peace and conflict in Sudan. Identify opportunities for strategic and programme engagement, particularly for partners to be heard directly by decision makers.
• Lead the development of evidence-based policy positions and briefings in close collaboration with the Programme team and partners.
• Monitor legislative and policy developments relevant to the organization’s strategic goals.
• Conduct in-depth analysis and synthesize complex information to inform policy responses.
• Conduct rapid policy analysis and recommendations in response to emerging crises or policy opportunities
• Lead Saferworld’s strategic engagement with the African Union and other relevant regional bodies on matters related to Sudan

2. Advocacy Strategy Development and Delivery

• Lead the development of the Sudan programme’s policy and advocacy strategy and plans in close collaboration with the programmes team, and partners.
• Design and implement advocacy strategies, in close consultation with the Programme team and CSO partners to influence key decision-makers, including donors, governments, regional and international bodies and diplomatic networks.
• Draft and disseminate policy briefs, statements, and other materials to advance Saferworld and partners’ peacebuilding agenda.
• Represent the Sudan Programme in high-level advocacy meetings, consultations, and global forums where appropriate, and find opportunities to include partners directly and support their participation.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with policymakers, NGOs, coalitions, and other stakeholders engaged on Sudan.
• Lead the design and facilitation of events and roundtables with relevant change actors and civil society
• Design and facilitate advocacy, research and policy workshops for partners and programme teams.
• Engage with local actors and local authorities (where relevant) to support subnational and national level policy and advocacy

3. Partnership Engagement and Coalition Building

• Build and sustain relationships with policymakers, UN agencies, regional organizations, donors, INGOs, and grassroots partners.
• Facilitate dialogue and learning between local peacebuilders and policymakers to ensure grassroots perspectives shape subnational, national and international policy.
• Coordinate and participate in relevant policy and advocacy coalitions or working groups.
• Lead engagement with civil society partners, think tanks, and coalitions.
• Convene and coordinate multi-stakeholder initiatives and advocacy campaigns on Sudan.
• Act as a thought leader and spokesperson for the Sudan Programme’s policy positions.

4.Research and Knowledge Sharing

• Conduct or commission research to generate evidence and insights into peacebuilding effectiveness, conflict drivers, and policy gaps.
• Ensure policy recommendations are grounded in the lived experiences and priorities of conflict-affected communities.
• Contribute to the development of communications and media outputs that align with advocacy goals
• Draft high-quality policy papers, position statements, and consultation responses.
• Maintain an active detailed database of relevant stakeholders for advocacy at all levels

5. Internal Leadership and Organisational Learning

• Advise Sudan senior leadership and programme teams on emerging policy issues and advocacy opportunities on Sudan
• Lead regular and sustained engagement with programme teams and partners to develop joint analysis, support for their advocacy, and feedback information from relevant fora to shape advocacy at all levels.
• Mentor programme and partners staff and contribute to building advocacy capacity across the organisation.
• Support strategic planning processes with relevant policy and political analysis
• Feed in to Sudan programme funding proposals and donor reports as required, and participate in regular monitoring and evaluation and learning processes
• Engage with policy and advocacy colleagues across the organisation to share learning, develop joint analysis and collaborate on thematic areas.
• Contribute policy and advocacy content to regular reports, briefs and other organisational analysis

Key working relationships

• Country Director, Programme Manager, Project Coordinators, Partnerships and Compliance Manager, Programme Development Manager, Sudan – working collaboratively, sharing information, providing advice and guidance in relation to specialist areas, coordinate analysis and maintain feedback loop
• Policy and Advocacy Team Lead – regularly engage with Policy and Advocacy Team Lead for advice and support
• Sudan Conflict Sensitivity Facility – work collaboratively, share analysis and coordinate activities
• Colleagues in Finance – working collaboratively on funds disbursement for own activities
• Partner organisations – collaborate on advocacy strategies and products, facilitate access to decision making fora, share information, provide training and dedicated support and accompaniment as required.
• Communications team– regular engagement on communications products and strategy development, provide internal news updates, work with them on communications products
• Africa regional team – regularly communicate with other advocacy and communications leads in the Africa region, and the Regional Director for Africa, to keep them informed of our work on Sudan and coordinate at regional level
• Colleagues in the global policy, advocacy and communications teams – engaging in regular advocacy conversations with global team in London, Brussels and Washington DC to keep them updated and work with them on thematic policy issues and policy tours
• External stakeholders – regularly attend relevant network meetings, identify shared interests and common goals and work together on collective influencing. Develop good working relationships with national, regional and international officials as relevant.

Scope and accountability

Decision making and limits of authority

The post holder is expected to lead the development and implementation of the programme’s policy and advocacy strategy.

Financial resources

As designated by the Programme Manager and Country Director

Other resources

Responsible for cross-regional and organisational information sharing and lesson learning resources

People management

Line management of some consultancies as agreed with the Country Director

Legal, regulatory and compliance responsibility

Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and practices in the organisation.

Person specification

Knowledge, qualifications and experience

Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in policy and advocacy roles within peacebuilding, conflict prevention, international development, or diplomacy.
• Proven track record of influencing policy outcomes at national, regional, or international levels.
• Strong understanding of peacebuilding principles, conflict analysis, and international political processes.
• An excellent understanding of Sudan, particularly in terms of security and conflict dynamics and actors, key political, economic, and social issues, and peace and governance processes
• Solid knowledge of civil society networks in Sudan and the East Africa region
• Knowledge of policy and policy-making processes at national, regional and international levels
• Understanding of conflict and gender sensitivity concepts, with a commitment to gender equality
• Solid understanding of and proven experience engaging with civil society and governments, networking, and representing an organisation at the national and international level

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in international relations, peace and conflict studies, political science, or a related field.
• Experience engaging with institutions such as the UN, African Union, or EU on peace and security issues.
• Familiarity with participatory and inclusive policy processes.
• Field experience in conflict-affected or fragile contexts, including Sudan

Skills and abilities

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and public speaking skills in English and Arabic.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners and across cultures and ability to work in a non-partisan manner, appreciating religious, cultural and ethnic diversity
• Strong writing skills, with experience producing policy papers, briefings, and media outputs.
• Ability to think strategically and respond flexibly to fast-changing political contexts.
• Strong policy analysis and advocacy skills with the ability to manage and prioritise competing tasks
• Strong research, analytical, and writing skills with attention to detail and with the ability to translate complex issues into a level appropriate for various audiences
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is essential
• Demonstrated organisational and project management skills
• Ability to work on his/her own, but also effectively as part of a team, including with those based in other locations
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office(Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), web-based communications, and social media

Personal qualities

• A self-starter who is willing to take initiative and drive things forward with minimal oversight
• Personable and committed to working as a team and fostering a non-hierarchical and collaborative working environment with colleagues and partners
• Commitment to respect and value equality and diversity, and understanding of how this applies to own area of work
• Commitment to and compliance with Saferworld’s safeguarding principles
• Commitment to own continuing personal and professional development
• Commitment to the vision, mission and values of Saferworld

Other requirements

• Ability to travel frequently internally, within East Africa, and to international locations as the job requires

Deadline for applications: 11th June 2025

How to Apply:

Candidates are invited to apply through our Jobs page. Please use the following link to submit your application: Senior Policy and Advocacy Adviser – Sudan.