IBC looks for a committed and innovative drug and alcohol field professional living in Africa and willing to work within a Christian value-based organisation
Alcohol and Drug Policy Advocacy Officer: Part Time 8hrs/week (20%) from March 2020 or as mutually agreed.
As Advocacy Officer you are based in your home office working closely on-line with the IBC secretariat and you will:
Job Description & Requirements
Develop the IBC advocacy programme and key messages in French and English based on evidence based research that is based on independent data without vested interests of drug and alcohol industry;
Establish and maintain structures and instruments for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of progress against IBC advocacy plans within PCM framework;
Develop and submit timely and high-quality advocacy messages to support IBC’s global advocacy work together with IBC board and leadership;
Coach local programme coordinators and teams (mainly online coaching) on the topics of alcohol and drugs and policy advocacy. Organise substance abuse policy advocacy trainings to develop capacities of implementing partners;
Develop and foster collaboration and policy work with responsible authorities, governments and NGOs at country level and in international forums;
Represent IBC and actively participate in inter-agency forums and thematic working groups with partner NGOs and institutional donors as agreed by General Secretary;
Support the Fundraising and Communication team by providing advocacy insights, prospect donor contacts and concepts for funding applications;
Carry out any other tasks as required for the smooth running of IBC.
University degree in public health or in a relevant field
High knowledge of drug and alcohol harm
Commitment to following evidence based alcohol and drug policy without industry interference
No vested interests or connections to alcohol and drug industry
Working experience in development and cooperation, preferably with field experience with grassroots organisations in Africa
Excellent skills in coaching project partners
Fluent in French and English
Possibility for an excellent internet connection
Outstanding communication, social and networking skills
Commitment to work within Christian value-based organisation
Driven to support capacity building of partners in order to assist vulnerable people and to work with the issue of alcohol and other drugs
Team spirit, commitment, and flexibility. Independent, proactive and solution-oriented
Capable of working in a multi-cultural environment. Honest and trustworthy
Must be located in Africa
What we offer: • Interesting and varied activities in an international environment with many opportunities to be proactive • A motivated and committed international team • Flexibility in work arrangements • Salary and home office allowance according to your national pay structures and within IBC policies • Christian value based work environment
Recruitment process If you are interested in raising the IBC advocacy work to a new level, we are looking forward to receiving your complete electronic application with CV and motivation letter in English and with academic & work certificates in English or French by 6th of January 2020 at office@internationalbluecross.org, with subject “Advocacy Officer”.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to take a written on-line assessment during the week 20-23.1.2020. From these finally shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview online on 5th February 2020.
For further information please contact General Secretary Anne Babb: a.babb@internationalbluecross.org
Joining forces to direct Blue Cross Global Strategy
Again in Paris! The IBC Network Committee (board) and IBC Secretariat staff meeting took place from 8-10. May in the French capital. Main points of the agenda were the planning for the General Assembly in 2020 and the strategical outlook for the period 2020 – 2024. It continues to be important to involve all Blue Crosses around the world more closely in gloal steering processes. Participants brainstormed how to achieve this and -additionally to the actions of the IBC General Secretariat- the board members agreed to take this message to the Blue Crosses in their countries. In a world where the global alcohol consume rate is rising, global action and strategies are needed.
Project visit to our implementing partner in Africa – Blue Cross Chad
IBC General Secretary Anne and IBC Finance Officer Katrin are back from their visit to our member organisation and implementing partner in Chad. It was a week full of activities, revising and working to improve the Life Skills Programme for youth further. The IBC alcohol and drug prevention programme has been successfully running in the Chadian capital of N´Djamena since 2013. Meanwhile 20 schools participate in protecting young people from alcohol harm and sensitizing them for gender equality. Find out more about the programme in our programmes section!
Snapshot of IBC´s prevention work with underprivileged communities in Congo-Brazzaville
Swiss Broadcaster SRF1 has accompanied the Blue Cross alcohol and drug prevention programme IBC implements with its local partner in Congo-Brazzaville. One of the participants is talking about his experiences in the video (German version)
In December, Flavia Ganarin, the new IBC programme officer, was ready for her first visit to the youth prevention project in Congo-Brazzaville.
In December, Flavia Ganarin, the new IBC programme officer, was ready for her first visit to the youth prevention project in Congo-Brazzaville.
The project “Generation 5S” stands for “sans alcool, sans drogue, sans VIH/SIDA, sans violence, sans discrimination” (without alcohol, drugs, VIH/SIDA, violence, discrimination). The participating youth of Brazzaville learn here to cope with difficulties in their life in a healthy way – without alcohol and drugs. The programme gives them a space to develop their talents and skills. Through regular Life Skills trainings at schools, the young participants are supported to grow into responsible adults with self-esteem and positive outlook.
For Flavia´s visit, the local team of IBC partner organisation CTPAD had prepared a diverse programme. After a warm welcome they accompanied her through a series of visits and meetings with local stakeholders such as the Evangelical Church of Congo, the Institute responsible for the elaboration of school curricula, the Institute of deaf children, several neighborhood committees and multiple schools where IBC programme activities are being implemented.
She conducted focus group discussions with participating youth to get first-hand feedback, attended life skills trainings and met with parent´s initiatives which support the programme.
Besides this, Flavia has organised a variety of capacity-building trainings on project cycle management, monitoring and evaluation and prevention of sexual abuse and harassment with the local project staff. “It was gratifying to see how the local people are eager to learn and develop the programme further. It has been running here since 2013 and thousands of students have so far benefitted from the programme. What is very important and makes me proud is that the local politicians and stakeholders are engaged and support the initiative unanimously”.
During her stay Flavia met many young people who, thanks to the programme, made a conscious decision to live without alcohol and drugs – that gives hope! Due to the success, IBC will expand its activities in Congo in 2019 and intensify cooperation with churches, police, associations and community leaders.
