The NGO NRC is looking for a Communication and Advocacy Manager
Context
Cameroon is currently experiencing three intertwined humanitarian emergencies. Since 2017, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been operating in the country to assist individuals compelled to leave their homes. The NRC works to safeguard displaced communities and helps them as they reconstruct their lives. Activities continue in all crisis-impacted areas, including the Far North, Northwest, Southwest, East, and Adamawa regions. The NRC's efforts concentrate on four core sectors: legal aid (ICLA), water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), shelter, and education. These initiatives aim to address immediate needs while also fostering long-term recovery. Across its field offices, the NRC advocates an integrated approach, striving to deliver coordinated assistance that enables communities to transition from crisis to resilience.
Since April 2023, a major conflict has erupted in Sudan, causing a substantial displacement of people toward neighboring countries. As of January 31, 2026, the total number of displaced individuals in Chad had reached 2,186,843, including 1,050,256 refugees and asylum seekers (source: UNHCR). Most of them are distributed across several camps and transit sites located in the four eastern provinces: East Ennedi, Ouaddaï, Wadi Fira, and Sila. As of February 12, 2026, UNHCR had registered approximately 190,000 people in transit sites and informal settlements needing shelter and latrines in the refugee camps to which the Government and UNHCR plan to relocate them. A relocation plan has been in effect since February 2026, providing for – subject to negotiations, the securing of additional land, the availability of financial resources, and the collaboration of all humanitarian actors present in the three provinces most severely affected since 2025 (Ennedi East, Wadi Fira, and Ouaddaï) – the creation of new camps, the expansion of existing camps, and the integration of some refugees into host villages. The NRC operates in four primary areas: shelter and settlements, WASH, ICLA, and Education in Emergencies.
Find out more about NRC: https://www.nrc.no/ and watch this short video to see NRC in action: https://vimeo.com/736782633
What we are looking for
The Communication and Advocacy Manager provides leadership, direction, and strategic oversight for NRC’s policy, advocacy, and communications work in Cameroon and Chad. The role identifies key protection concerns, integrates advocacy across program sectors, and develops clear, evidence-based messages to strengthen protection and humanitarian responses for crisis-affected populations.
The post holder formulates and executes country-specific advocacy and communication strategies for both offices, ensuring alignment with NRC’s global guidance and applying contextually appropriate, risk-aware approaches.
This is a shared position between the Cameroon and Chad Country Offices, with roughly 50% of time allocated to each. The post holder reports administratively to the Cameroon Country Director and functionally to the Chad Country Director.
An annual joint work plan, agreed with both Country Directors and supported by the Regional Head of Advocacy, ensures balanced priorities and deliverables across both contexts.
What you will do
Specific responsibilities for Cameroon
• Lead access advocacy, concentrating on Bureaucratic and Administrative Impediments (BAIs), in coordination with the HAS Manager, including evidence-based advocacy messaging for donors and diplomatic actors.
• Produce quarterly advocacy notes on residual humanitarian needs within the context of the accelerated (humanitarian-to-development) transition, paying particular attention to the North-West and South-West regions.
• Support CHINGO’s (Cameroon INGO Forum) collective advocacy efforts, with a special focus on humanitarian access, contributing to joint positioning, advocacy actions, and engagement with key stakeholders.
Specific responsibilities for Chad
• Document and assess humanitarian needs in Eastern Chad, focusing on the situation of Sudanese refugees, and produce short quarterly advocacy notes to inform and influence donor engagement.
• Support regional advocacy on the Sudan crisis by contributing to joint NRC advocacy and communications initiatives, participating in NRC Sudan advocacy calls, and providing monthly advocacy updates on Chad in coordination with the Regional Horn of Africa (RHoA) team.
• Contribute to collective advocacy efforts through active participation in FONGIT advocacy initiatives and relevant advocacy platforms, including cross-border working groups and advocacy forums.
Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position: Job Description_Communications&Advocacy Manager_Cameroon&Chad.pdf
What you will bring
1. Professional Competencies
• Postgraduate degree in communications, international relations, law, political science, journalism, or a related field, with a minimum of five years’ experience in a senior communications and/or advocacy role within the humanitarian or development sector.
• Strong understanding of international legal and policy frameworks related to displacement, protection, and humanitarian action.
• Demonstrated knowledge of protection principles and experience integrating advocacy considerations into programmatic and operational contexts.
• Proven track record of delivering strategic communications and advocacy initiatives, including policy analysis, message development, stakeholder coordination, and high-level event organization.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex humanitarian and policy issues into clear, compelling messaging for diverse audiences.
• Fluency in English and French (written and spoken), with excellent drafting and editing skills.
Context/Specific skills, knowledge, and experience:
• Strong knowledge of the refugee and displacement context in Central Africa, including Cameroon, Sudan, and Chad.
• Understanding of the humanitarian context and displacement trends in the Lake Chad Basin and Central Africa is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in policy analysis and influencing strategies targeting national, regional, or international stakeholders.
• Proven ability to develop high-quality strategy and draft related articles, briefings, reports, and official correspondence tailored to different audiences (donors, authorities, media, communities).
• Experience managing internal and external communications, including communication with affected communities.
• Confident public speaker with experience representing an organization at senior-level events or coordination forums.
• Strong leadership, coordination, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently and under pressure.
2. Behavioural competencies
• Planning and delivering results
• Working with people
• Analysing
• Communication with impact and respect
• Coping with change
• Influencing
• Handling insecure environments
How to apply?
All applications must be submitted ONLINE at: https://ekum.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/…