Deadline: 29 September 2015
The Open Society Foundations is currently inviting applications from the eligible applicants for the post of Advocacy Officer based in London, UK.
The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people.
Key Job Responsibilities
The Advocacy Officer will perform the following functions-
- Undertake advocacy primarily in Europe; work with a wide range of project teams to identify and undertake key opportunities in national, regional (especially Council of Europe) and international (Geneva) forums around Justice Initiative priorities;
- Undertake advocacy around Justice Initiative’s litigation and in support of implementation of judgments (European Court of Human Rights, Court of Justice of the European Union, and others) and norms;
- Provide advocacy support to specific thematic project teams (e.g. antidiscrimination, freedom of information/expression, anticorruption) working in Europe and across the world;
- Liaise with colleagues and partners to stay abreast of legal and political developments in thematic areas of interest to the Justice Initiative;
- Conduct research and analysis for use in advocacy materials;
- Develop and strengthen relationships with civil society partners, government, court and institutional officials, academics, and OSF colleagues working on related issues;
- Draft reports, briefing notes, and formal submissions to regional and international institutions;
- Draft advocacy publications for many audiences, from government officials and diplomats to the general public;
- Organize consultations, briefings, and other events to implement Justice Initiative goals;
- Serve as an integral member of the Justice Initiative Advocacy Team;
- Develop project strategy plans and budgets;
- Undertake impact assessments of work;
- Undertake administrative tasks to support advocacy efforts as described above;
- Significant travel required;
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have-
- NGO experience essential, ideally within a human rights and/or legal organization;
- Advocacy experience required and litigation experience, in addition, preferred;
- Knowledge of international human rights law and institutions;
- Knowledge of European human rights forums required, and prior experience with Council of Europe bodies preferred;
- Experience working on at least one of the Justice Initiative’s thematic areas highly preferred;
- Experience working in or around complex institutions highly preferred;
- Exceptional legal advocacy skills: analysis, persuasive communication, strategic thinking, strong execution;
- Demonstrated record of accomplishment in seizing and capitalizing on advocacy opportunities;
- Ability to engage human rights problems from both intellectual and pragmatic perspectives;
- Superlative written and oral communication skills, with cultural communication differences;
- Proven ability to develop strong relationships with a wide range of actors from diverse cultural, geographic, economic, political, and social contexts;
- Deep knowledge of key legal frameworks, institutions, organizations and networks in the field;
- Ability to craft and make advocacy arguments at both a “big picture” and a highly detailed level;
- Ability to work effectively work as a team member as well as independently, with a high degree of self-motivation and ability to set and meet goals;
- Fluency (oral and written) in both English and an additional European language (French or Spanish preferred) required.
How to Apply
Applicants are required to upload their cover letter and CV/Resume to apply for the position.
For more information, please visit Open Society Foundations.
