Advocacy Advisor

The Advocacy Advisor will advocate and communicate for policy change at the United Nations based on Save the Children policy and advocacy strategic plan and priorities. They will lead a selected priority area of work with relevant UN processes and bodies, represent Save the Children to relevant institutions, and influence the child rights agenda of governments through engagement with Permanent Missions in New York and Geneva.

Responsibilities

• Promote Save the Children’s organizational priorities and key messages with UN policy makers and decision makers, including in the secretariat, UN agencies, permanent missions, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Lead the advocacy on relevant UN processes.
• Support the Geneva Advocacy Team to plan and implement advocacy and outreach for specific influencing priorities and processes, including planning of meetings, priority events, publication launches to promote Save the Children’s organizational priorities and key messages with UN policy makers and decision makers.
• Coordinate activities to meet benchmarks set in the team’s work plan, and which contribute to Save the Children International strategic objectives (coordination of advocacy activities, building constructive networks, organization and management of events, drafting of policy briefs, undertaking research, etc.)
• Support the development, coordination and implementation of the SC strategy for key engagement and influencing periods and moments (e.g. the UNGA).
• Where applicable, provide project management support including activities relevant to the child rights portfolio being led by the team.
• Build relationships with relevant NGO and UN partners, including through NGO working groups/coalitions and interagency meetings, that enhance our advocacy impact.
• Be a credible and effective representative for Save the Children and its key initiatives in UN and other relevant forums.
• Act as Child Safeguarding focal point for the office to ensure full implementation of Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding policy and Child Safe Participation in the team.
• Provide regular training and orientation to team members and other relevant parties.
• Conduct Child Safeguarding risk assessment and develop mitigation plans with relevant colleagues.
• Support Children’s meaningful participation in UN Processes.

Requirements

• Education to bachelor’s level, with a qualification in Human Rights, Child Rights, International development, law, or a related field.
• Fluency in English.
• Knowledge of Spanish, French, or another UN official language would be an asset.
• Demonstrable experience working in child rights, child participation, child protection or related field at national and/or international level.
• Experience in advocacy and policy work at national and/or international level, including proven success in developing and implementing high quality advocacy strategies.
• Capacity of analyzing complex policies and experience in developing policy briefs and policy papers.
• Experience of coordinating networks, building partnerships and forging coalitions to ensure good information sharing, mutual accountability and joint coherent action.
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in.
• Understanding of the United Nations system and multi-lateral systems.
• Excellent project management skills, with a track record of taking projects from concept stage to execution and building collaboration across functional and geographical boundaries.
• A commitment to child rights and to the aims, mission and goal of Save the Children.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Computer skills including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Skills

• Children's Rights Advocacy
• Policy Analysis
• Advocacy Strategies
• Policy Brief Writing
• Network Coordination
• Partnership Building
• Coalition Building
• Complex Issue Resolution
• United Nations System Knowledge
• Project Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Communications Skills
• Writing Skills
• Excel
• Word
• Power Point

Languages

English