Position: Advocacy and Network Engagement Officer

Organization: CIVICUS

Role Overview:

The Advocacy and Network Engagement Officer will be responsible for providing support for the effective implementation of the Vuka! Coalition. The role will help with a range of advocacy, research, campaigning, networking, membership and administrative tasks within the Vuka! Secretariat. The role will also support and engage Vuka’s membership and Steering Group and provide support for the implementation of Vuka! activities.

Areas of Responsibilities

Network Engagement:
Help maintain and build relationships with Vuka! participating organizations and partners:

● Answer day-to-day inquiries on the coalition;

● Engage Vuka! Steering Group, Allies, Action Teams and other key stakeholders;

● Build partnerships with a diverse range of civil society groups, human rights defenders and social movements;

● Carry out network mapping activities and manage constituent information on Vuka! database; and

● Help Identify potential partners, sponsors, funders for the coalition

Workstream & Advocacy Support:

Provide substantive support to the Secretariat Coordinator and Steering Group to help ensure the effective realization of the Coalition’s activities and workstream:

● Enable delivery against the coalition’s strategy and against decisions made by the Steering Group;

● In cooperation with the coalition’s governance structure, support the development and implementation of a workplan to ensure the adequate functioning of the Coalition;

● Support Action Teams in the implementation of their strategies;

● Support effective coordination across Action Teams and between Action Teams and the coalition’s membership, making sure that information on Action Team initiatives is relayed throughout the coalition;

● Liaise closely with Action Teams and Allies at regional and national level to ensure that activities in countries are amplified through Vuka’s communication channels

Administrative support:

Help with administrative responsibilities within the Vuka! Secretariat, Steering Group, Action Teams and Membership:

● Help organize calls;

● Maintain membership participants email lists, shared calendars and other possible tools;

● Organize and keep records of meetings;

Education, Language & Qualifications:

● Degree in International Relations, Development Studies, Human Rights, Politics, Arts or equivalent qualification

● Centralize and disseminate information, and share creative ideas;

● Assist with the development of innovative tools and promotional material for effective knowledge sharing, campaigning, networking and resource mobilization;

● Support the tracking of Vuka! activities to assess progress and learn from current practices; and

● Help coordinate overall logistical processes for participation in Vuka! convenings.
 

Essential Knowledge, skills and Experience:

● At least 3 years minimum experience in related field, and 2 years in a similar role inclusive of volunteer work;

● Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

● Excellent IT skills, including experience with MS Office and Human Resource Information Systems.

● Commitment to CIVICUS’ vision, mission, values and ways of working.

● Be familiar with civil society, development and human rights issues and understand the challenges faced by marginalized citizens and organizations, especially those in the Global South;

● Understanding of networks and coalition-building in civil society and across sector; ● In depth understanding of off and online public engagement campaigning tactics, including for grassroots mobilization;

● Experience in conference / event management, preferably of international events;

● Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communications (written and verbal) skills;

● The ability to effectively support the development and implementation of plans and strategies in a collaborative environment;

● Computer literate at advanced level: MS Office; collaborative applications including Google Docs;

● Experience of working in dispersed, virtual teams working in different countries and cultures. ● The ability to document decisions and processes to enhance organizational learning;

● A high level of motivation, energy and attention to detail;

● Deadline driven, with ability to multi-task under time restraints, pressure and budgetary constraints;

● Occasional international travel may be expected.

● Political awareness and ability to handle sensitive issues with diplomacy in many different settings; and ● Cultural sensitivity and ability to respect and work well with people from different backgrounds and disciplines.

Desirable Knowledge, skills and Experience:

● Ability to speak, read, write fluently and to a high standard in Spanish.

● Experience working with civil society groups in Latin America

● Experience working with land, environmental and or climate defenders

Apply:

The closing deadline for applications is Close of Business on 21 June 2021. Interested candidates should email their application to: xxxxxxx@civicus.org