Hivos is hiring an advocacy officer for the Walking the Talk program. We seek a person that is able to translate feminist values into inclusive and effective advocacy strategies and practices. In this program, you will closely work with three European consortium partners, as well as with feminist allies from the Global South and North.
Background
European countries contribute significantly to advancing gender equality worldwide. But there is increased pressure on Official Development Aid (ODA), especially on funding for gender equality and feminist values. At the same time, when decisions are made about Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) or ODA for gender equality, (young) feminists and LGBTIQ+ persons from the Global South are not structurally engaged, even though these decisions directly affect their lives and work.
On the positive side, there is momentum to give gender equality, and more specifically, feminist approaches, a decisive boost. Various governments are now developing or implementing FFPs in recognition of the importance of feminist approaches to ODA.
About the program
To boost the momentum, the Walking the Talk consortium brings together four European organizations: Equipop (France), Restless Development (United Kingdom), the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy (Germany), and Hivos (the Netherlands, and lead of the consortium). Together we will utilize our extensive collective experience to embed gender equality in foreign policies, practices and ODA spending and to ensure that the perspectives and ideas of (young) feminists from the Global South are included in decisions about gender equality ODA and FFP. The program has just started and the program team is being set up.
Job context
As Walking the Talk advocacy officer, you lead advocacy efforts at Dutch foreign policy level. With input from consortium partners, and aligning with and drawing on priorities of feminist organizations and groups from the Global South, you will be responsible for developing and implementing an advocacy strategy focused on the Netherlands.
You ensure strategic collaboration with consortium members, as well as with other civil society actors from the Global South and North, including from the Netherlands. You position and profile the Walking the Talk agenda, engage in the public debate in collaboration with and on behalf of feminist activists, communicate with stakeholders in the broadest sense to strengthen political commitment and motivate decision-makers to support gender equality and FFP policies, practices and funding.
You are committed to the values and principles defined by the program, as well as specific advocacy and lobbying guidelines.
You are part of the consortium-level advocacy working group, and report to Walking the Talk‘s program manager.
Responsibilities
Advocacy and external positioning
- Building on priorities, ideas and needs of Global South feminist organizations and groups, and making use of research-results as well as of concrete opportunities in the Dutch and international decision-making processes, you design advocacy strategies that contribute to project results and motivate decision makers in the Netherlands to actively support gender equality ODA and FFP. In doing so, you work in close coordination with consortium members and other
- You initiate, facilitate and manage or co-manage relevant and effective advocacy activities and events, primarily in the Netherlands, and where relevant in international spaces. In doing so, you closely engage with consortium members, Global South feminist organizations and groups, and Global North allies to ensure complementarity and alignment.
- You ensure strategic participation and visibility of Walking the Talk in relevant fora to positively influence the agenda and debate on gender equality in ODA and FFP. Create space in such arenas for voices and ideas of Global South feminist actors.
- As needed, you provide training, information, coaching, support and accompaniment to Global South activists, organizations and groups, and support their access to relevant spaces and decisionmakers, so that they are well-positioned to bring their ideas, needs and priorities to the attention of decisionmakers.
Project implementation and accountability
- In line with Walking the Talk‘s overarching planning and monitoring plan, you design, implement and evaluate advocacy strategies, and report on these.
- You constantly coordinate with the Walking the Talk team, consortium-members and allies.
- You participate in and / or lead the projects’ Advocacy working group.
- You support the learning, monitoring and evaluation for advocacy within the project.
- You work closely with Hivos’ communication and advocacy teams, to ensure consistency and alignment in messaging and advocacy efforts.
Requirements
- Solid, professional and up-to-date knowledge of and experience in advocacy for gender equality ODA and/ or FFP.
- Excellent understanding of the Dutch and international political and administrative context for gender equality ODA and FFP.
- Relevant degree or equivalent work experience in international development, gender or feminist studies, political science, public administration, or another relevant field
- A strong belief in and embodiment of Walking the Talk’s values and principles
- Team-spirit and collaborative
- Ability to develop and maintain close collaboration between Global South and North actors, working to generate access for Global South voices to directly influence policy agendas on gender equality ODA and FFP
- Excellent skills in external relationship management
- Strategic thinking and ability to create, identify and make use of advocacy opportunities, and link results and lessons to wider program outcomes
- Sense of humor and positive attitude
- Imagination and creativity for solving challenging problems
- Full professional proficiency in English with excellent written and verbal skills; fluency in Dutch; if possible, proficiency in French or German
- Ability and willingness to travel regularly, mostly in Europe
What we offer
In this position you will work at Hivos’ Global Office in the city center of The Hague, where a part of the program team is located. Other team members are based in the UK, France, Germany, and Brussels. You will also be part of an international community of highly motivated and dedicated people working to advance gender equality, diversity and inclusion in a wide variety of contexts.
We offer a contract for 32 hours per week based on Hivos Global Office labor conditions. The gross salary ranges from €3.856 to € 5.131 per month based on a 36-hour work week.
We provide a laptop and travel expenses according to our commuting policies, as well as participation in our pension fund. Hivos additionally works according to a 50/50 schedule, which means you may work from home during half of your contract hours.
Want to apply?
Please submit a cover letter and CV by September 17, 2023 at the latest, by clicking on the ‘Apply here’ button. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Candidates are highly encouraged to provide a clear track record in their CV and description in cover letter that matches the requirements of the position elaborated above.
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