Advocacy and Campaigns Officer

  • Full Time
  • International
  • Applications have closed

Girls Not Brides

INTRODUCTION TO GIRLS NOT BRIDES

Girls Not Brides is the only global organisation uniquely focused on creating and sustaining a worldwide movement to end child, early and forced marriage and unions (CEFMU) and ensuring that this movement leads to tangible change for the girls at risk or affected by the practice. We are a network of more than 1,600 civil society organisations in over 100 countries working in partnership to end child marriage.

Our vision is a world without child marriage where girls and women enjoy equal status with boys and men and can achieve their full potential in all aspects of their lives. Our vision challenges deeply embedded social norms that harm the lives of girls, women and their communities.

INTRODUCTION TO THE ROLE

We are seeking an enthusiastic, dynamic, and bold individual who believes in the power of global advocacy and campaigns to deliver change and one who shares our vision of a world free of child marriage, where girls and women enjoy equal status to boys and men and can fulfil their potential in every aspect of their lives.

The Advocacy and Campaigns Officer at Girls Not Brides plays a central role in the delivery of a compelling global advocacy and campaigns agenda for Girls Not Brides. Working as part of a globally dispersed and diverse team, and closely with members, National Partnerships and coalitions, this role supports the delivery of our global advocacy and campaigns under the leadership of the Senior Advocacy and Campaigns Officer. This role will include international travel to participate in key meetings for advocacy and influencing.

Job location:

London, UK. (Hybrid with up to three days on site)

Accountable to:

Senior Advocacy and Campaigns Officer

Salary range:   

£32,600 rising on an annual incremental basis. Girls Not Brides also offers a generous 10% pension.

Contract:

This is an initial two-year full-time role. The successful candidate must have the right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of applying, and for the full duration of the two-year initial contract.
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Effective Global Advocacy

Working closely with the Senior Advocacy and Campaigns Officer to support all aspects of the delivery of Girls Not Brides’ global advocacy strategy:

  • Monitor, identify and track opportunities for external advocacy engagement and support the design and project management of the implementation of advocacy activities.
  • Monitor key opportunities and developments relating to UN accountability mechanisms, and work closely with the Senior Advocacy and Campaigns Officer to engage strategically with such opportunities.
  • In close collaboration with various relevant colleagues, develop advocacy materials required for Girls Not Brides’ engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Represent Girls Not Brides at key global advocacy forums, and relay advocacy messages developed in close collaboration with regional teams.
  • Research and draft advocacy content, including advocacy briefs, speaking points, evidence submissions, key updates.
  • Support efforts aimed at ensuring key sector integration of CEFMU, and manage maintain strong existing partnerships, and identify new allies to enhance broader sector integration of ending child marriage.
  • Support the effective running of the Global Advocacy Group.

Make connections between global, regional and national advocacy

  • Contribute to the strengthening of regional and national advocacy activities conducted by colleagues in different regions, as well as by members.
  • Liaise with regional advocacy and campaign leads in supporting National Partnerships and members to develop and use advocacy skills and to monitor, analyse, influence and respond to relevant legislative and policy opportunities at the global, regional and national level.
  • Play a key role in developing and delivering capacity strengthening tools and activities for members, national partnerships and coalitions, as guided by the needs and guidance of regional teams.
  • Support Budget Advocacy activities with members and national partnerships.
  • Liaise with regional advocacy and campaign leads to inform Girls Not Brides members and partners of developments and opportunities for influence and support them in undertaking coordinated advocacy around global and national moments.
  • Where requested by regional teams, contribute to the development and implementation of national advocacy strategies.

Wider Organisational Responsibilities

  • Commit to the mission and vision of Girls Not Brides, putting these at the forefront of all planning, work and actions.
  • Uphold the core values of Girls Not Brides in all areas of work and interactions with colleagues, members, partners, and other stakeholders.
  • Comply with Girls Not Brides’ policies and processes, with note for safeguarding, diversity and inclusion, the code of conduct and data protection.
  • Ensure that internal databases and monitoring information are kept fully up-to-date.
  • Commit to ongoing personal development and learning.
  • Fulfil any other reasonable requests for the advancement of Girls Not Brides.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential experience

  • Significant professional experience in a similar level role in the not-for-profit sector, an international/intergovernmental organisation, a social movement, research centre or social enterprise.
  • Proven knowledge of human rights-based and feminist approaches to policy and advocacy.
  • Knowledge and experience of supporting and/or undertaking advocacy and activism work, and a willingness and openness to developing skills in this area.
  • Knowledge of UN structures and processes, including human rights mechanisms, as well as national development processes and planning.
  • Degree-level qualification in a relevant area such as public policy, development studies, international relations, sociology, communications, human rights or gender issues or proven experience in a related field.

Essential skills and knowledge

  • A strong knowledge and understanding of advocacy and campaigning for policy change and strong ability to develop and deliver advocacy strategies.
  • Strategic thinker, capable of identifying strategic advocacy moments and opportunities, relevant to the work of Girls Not Brides.
  • Strong policy analysis and research skills and knowledge of advocacy around gender and/or development issues.
  • Ability to interpret and synthesise data and evidence from different sources.
  • A good eye for accuracy and detail and potential implementation challenges.
  • Excellent communication, networking and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to persuade and inspire others.
  • Strong ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner.
  • Ability to deal with competing demands, multiple priorities, time constraints and unanticipated events.
  • Outstanding written communication, creative thinker, and the ability to write for different audiences.
  • Understanding of collaborative work with coalitions or partnerships.
  • Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Essential values and attributes

  • Strong commitment to the mission and values of Girls Not Brides and our vision in relation to addressing child marriage and gender justice.
  • Team player spirit, proactive and able to confidently take initiative and make appropriate decisions.
  • Willingness to work flexibly and regularly travel internationally, as necessary.

Desirable

  • Direct experience of advocating or campaigning on child marriage or closely related issues.
  • Understanding of child, early and forced marriage and unions from a feminist perspective and good linkages with key actors working to address CEFMU.
  • Deep knowledge and experience of gender and its application in network spaces.
  • Knowledge of Hindi, Spanish, Swahili, French, Portuguese or other relevant languages are an advantage.

Safeguarding

Girls Not Brides is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk with whom our staff and representatives work and interface. Any employment with Girls Not Brides may be subject to the satisfactory completion of a background check and a criminal records check, which can include but is not limited to: an overseas police record check, a Disclosure and Barring Service Check (for those based in the UK) or an International Criminal Record Check (if applicable).

Diversity at Girls Not Brides

Girls Not Brides is an equal opportunities employer. We embrace diversity, equal opportunity and inclusion in a serious way. We are committed to building a staff body that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

How to apply

The closing date for this role is 09:00 GMT on Wednesday 22 March 2023.

To apply, please click on the ‘Apply now’ button on the job page:  https://girlsnotbrides.livevacancies.co.uk/#/job/details/66?target=frame and submit your CV and a brief cover letter clearly demonstrating how you meet the criteria.

We regret that due to the large number of applications anticipated, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.