FONGIM Advocacy and Communication Manager Mali (Local hire)

Context 

The Mali INGO forum (FONGIM) is an association recognized by the authorities and currently has 99 international NGO members. The FONGIM aims to ensure/strengthen, in an independent manner, coordination between member INGOs, local and national authorities, the United Nations, donors, diplomatic representations and external partners.

It facilitates better sharing of information and expertise, the establishment of common guidelines among member INGOs, and the respect of fundamental principles for a more coordinated, efficient, and effective use of humanitarian, recovery, and development resources in response to the needs of the Mali population.

The FONGIM’s activities are statutorily developed around five pillars:

• Information / exchange platform
• Coordination / representation / relationship with partners
• Advocacy
• Communication
• Access
• Capacity building

What you will do:

The role can be described as a fusion of two specific tasks: advocacy and communication. The position is line-managed by the FONGIM Director and works in close cooperation with the FONGIM Working Groups (GTH, GTED, Sectorial Groups, etc…) as well as with the FONGIM Bureau. The position covers activities in all Mali and is connected with regular travelling within and outside the country. The Advocacy and Communication Manager is a line manager of the Information Manager Coordinator

1. Advocacy

Advocacy is one of the five statutory areas of intervention of the FONGIM and has a strategic importance in Mali in an environment characterized by repeated insecurity and humanitarian shocks that are extremely violent for civilian population. The past year has seen a decline in humanitarian space and access as well as repeated questioning of humanitarian principles by stakeholders in the conflict.

He/she is responsible for the following tasks/activities:

• Lead and coordinate the FONGIM’s strategic advocacy in subsidiarity and support to advocacy already conducted by the members.
• Develop and implement the FONGIM’s advocacy strategy based on population’s needs and in consultation and close cooperation with the members of relevant Working Groups as well as with the FONGIM Bureau;
• Bring together expertise and knowledge and build evidence-based analyses, researches to support advocacy jointly with members, sectorial groups, external or internal experts
• Based on evidence and consultation of members, develop relevant advocacy products (talking points, advocacy notes, message compendiums, etc), coordinate dissemination, and lobby at various level to support joint advocacy efforts for positive changes by FONGIM members.
• Support members to develop joint policy, positioning and messages on key strategic issues.
• Develop and Manage sign-off processes of all advocacy & communication products, check quality and coherence of advocacy products including with FONGIM’s and members principles.
• Coordinate and support all influencing & advocacy efforts led in the name of FONGIM at different level (heads of mission of members, executive bureau and director of the FONGIM, members advocacy teams at international level, technical level, etc.) to ensure all efforts a) go in the same direction & are in line/coherent with signed off positions and messaging, b) are led at the right level c) are evidence-based and backed by quality advocacy products and d) take into account risk and mitigation measures.
• Setting and leading FONGIM Advocacy working group;
• Support FONGIM (and if necessary strengthen capacity) strategic, sectorial and regional groups to integrate and strategize relevant advocacy in their respective action plans.
• Develop and strengthen alliances and networking with key allies and stakeholders to strengthen advocacy efforts, identify and use key influencing opportunities and increase impact.
• Ensure the adequate use of existing coordination and decision-making structures as a primary area for key advocacy and follow-up.
• Build links and support toward coordination and advocacy platforms in country and at international level between NGOs in key capitals (New York, Washington DC, Brussels, Berlin, Paris, London, etc.) to strengthen direct advocacy toward international decision-makers engaged in Mali.
• Disseminate within FONGIM members relevant information and advocacy needs and updates
• Conduct directly advocacy and lobbying actions as relevant in coordination with FONGIM members and groups based on signed-off products.;
• Maintaining a list of key contacts among stakeholders and humanitarian and development actors on the advocacy thematic;
• Ensure regular monitoring of context including media and social networks monitoring on priority topics with support of the communication adviser.
  1. Communication

The Advocacy and Communication Manager will develop and implement a communication strategy in line and support of the larger influencing and FONGIM strategies and priorities, based on consultations of FONGIM members and groups.

S/He will directly supervise the implementation of the following activities:

1. Internal Communication

Manage the development of:

• An internal communication strategy or action plan based on FONGIM members’ needs to strengthen coordination efforts and accountability toward members.
• Organization of regular meetings with the members’ communication officers;
• Circulating of agendas and minutes as well as all useful documents to the members;
• Develop tools and products meant to ease internal communication;
• Contribute to FONGIM newsletter;
• Support donor reporting activities (drafting sections, gathering inputs, editing success stories).

1. External Communication

• Assume the role of spokesperson when relevant or needed to support the director or deputy director.

Manage/supervise (support, orient, ensure quality, etc. ) the :

• Development of a communication plan / media plan for FONGIM as part of the advocacy/influencing strategy;
• Coordinate gathering of key media content (photo, video, radio, pictures, testimonies, etc) to be used on the FONGIM website and for media engagement (exhibits, post on specific radios or newspaper etc.).
• Develop media products & events (press releases, exhibits, radio or TV reportage, documentaries etc) to serve influencing, and visibility purposes at national and international level.
• Build relation with national and international media resources within members to strengthen and amplify joint media work and complementarity.
• Support FONGIM groups and members to strengthen their media engagement around key priorities and strategic issues.
• Development of relations and network with national and international media correspondents, build a continued working relation and contact and facilitate visits, exchanges of information (on and off) etc.
• Develop a new website for the FONGIM with public access and a limited access for the members;
• Coordinate FONGIM’s social media engagement by setting up and inputting in a twitter account for communication and influencing purposes;
• Generating, editing, publishing and sharing engaging content regularly across social media platforms;
• Manage external communication addressing the public, partners and donors with regular reporting about FONGIM achievements;
• Support the development of dissemination tools according to the available media – posters, comics, press releases / articles, radio programs / spots, etc. – in order to improve understanding of NGO action in Mali and improve accountability;
• Coordination with FONGIM’s WGs in order to develop thematic files that can be disseminated.
  1. Coordination
• Participate in coordination meetings or assume representation role when relevant for advocacy & information gathering purposes or when needed to support the director or deputy director.

What we are looking for:

• Minimum 5 years’ experiences from a senior management position in a humanitarian/ recovery context
• Master’s degree in International Relations, International humanitarian law, Political sciences, Development or Communication
• Very good knowledge of humanitarian law.
• Strong experience in advocacy in conflict countries
• Strong knowledge of the United Nations system, integrated missions and clusters
• Experience from working in a complex emergency crisis and volatile contexts
• Fluency in French, English, both written and verbal

Context/Specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of the context in Sahel is appreciated

Behavioural competencies:

• Handling insecure environments
• Strategic thinking
• Empowering and building trust
• Influencing
• Initiate action and change
• Achieving results through others

Please find the full job description here.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility. At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

***This position is open to candidates who have the legal right to work in Mali. Please note that we are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this position.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: 11/3/2025

What we offer:

1. Contract of 12 months
2. Grade 9 in NRC scale
3. Location: Bamako
4. An opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause
5. A chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

Important information about the application process

• Internal candidates only: please click on the suitcase icon labelled “I am an employee” to be redirected to NRC’s internal careers site.
• 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.
• Submit your application and CV in English or French, 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.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position.
• If you have any questions about this role, please email [email protected] with 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

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