AMEND CONTENT

6.1 Support for CO advocacy efforts

To activate support for advocacy efforts, consider the following steps:

  • Analyse the policy environment as a regular part of programming prior to a crisis, with particular attention to vulnerable groups.
  • Monitor protection violations among the population they serve, bearing in mind that contemporary armed conflict takes its greatest toll on women and children.
  • When issues requiring policy and advocacy action are identified, the Country Director or CO Advocacy Advisor (if present) should begin problem analysis.
  • Contact the RAA or Lead Member Advocacy Advisor for support to explore the problem and develop an advocacy strategy.
  • The Country Director should alert the Crisis Coordination Group (CCG) any potential advocacy issues (see protocols at Chapter Emergency management protocols).
  • Request the CI Senior Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Coordinator to assist with mobilising support from other parts of CARE International.
  • If the CO decides to pursue advocacy, the CO Advocacy Advisor (or RAA or Country Director if there is no dedicated Advocacy Advisor) leads advocacy strategy and actions together with the CI Advocacy Coordinator in the Secretariat. The RAA, Lead Member and other interested members provide support as requested by the CI Senior Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Coordinator.
  • To help coordinate this support, the CO Advocacy Advisor (or alternative lead) should convene an ad hoc Emergency Advocacy Group (EAG) for the specific emergency advocacy initiative. The EAG should comprise 8-12 key stakeholders, including:
    • Lead Member advocacy unit
    • CI Senior Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Coordinator
    • CIUK Humanitarian Policy Advisor
    • CI UN and EU representatives
    • the CEG Media and Communications Coordinator and the Lead Member media coordinator for the emergency
    • other members supporting the initiative.
  • The EAG should keep the CI Advocacy Working Group informed of progress and developments.
  • As the humanitarian crisis unfolds, the CO Advocacy Advisor (or alternative lead) monitors the situations, conducts analysis and develops advocacy materials with the support of the EAG.
  • The CI Senior Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Coordinator ensures that any necessary support from relevant stakeholders in CI is being provided for in the country and undertakes global-level advocacy.
  • Media officers from the CO, CEG, the Lead Member and other relevant parts of COMWG should be involved in discussions about potential media strategies to ensure that media messages are consistent with advocacy messages (see Chapter 13 Media).