THE ROLE OF AN EU ADVOCACY OFFICER

• Identifying and acting on opportunities to support the implementation of  advocacy priorities through interaction with European institutions in Brussels.
• Monitoring and influencing policy developments at the EU level;
• Undertaking research and analysis on relevant EU policies and identifying opportunities;
• Drafting updates, briefing notes, policy positions and talking points on relevant EU processes;
• Supporting the organisation of advocacy events;
• Maintaining and further developing a network of contacts within EU institutions and Civil Society Organisations in Brussels;
• Actively representing, participating in and influencing European NGO networks and creating alliances as required to achieve advocacy objectives;
• Identifying and creating opportunities to position the organization for EU funding;
• Participating in key meetings, briefings and conferences organised by EU institutions, and other NGOs;
• Lead the advocacy work, including assuming responsibility for developing and monitoring the implementation of the EU Advocacy Action Plan;
• Coordinating the interaction of the organization’s European members and the European Advocacy Group, and country offices with the EU around EU policy processes and decisions;
• Supporting the organisation of the European Advocacy annual meeting, mid-term and ad hoc calls, and other relevant meetings as required;
• Providing ad hoc support and advice to European members’ advocacy teams.
• Assisting in the preparation of annual operating plans, reports, for the organization advocacy work in Brussels;
• Representing the organization in meetings/conferences;
• Support advocacy efforts beyond Europe as required and feeding in the EU and European perspectives into global advocacy efforts and working groups;
• Organizing conference calls, meetings and workshops, including preparatory processes, documents and reports;
• Participating in relevant internal meetings;
• Supporting administrative functions as needed.

Qualifications

Essential

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Relevant Masters degree or equivalent qualifications/ experience.
• Ability to think strategically, and translate this into plans for action and then results.
• Proven political judgment, and detailed knowledge of the workings of EU institutions and current EU debates.
• Excellent understanding of issues, and knowledge of relevant policy issues and debates and relevant institutions, including amongst key donors.
• Deep understanding of politics and a consistent record of making significant change happen through policy, advocacy, campaigning and communications work on difficult issues, including experience of working with or advocating to politicians, government and institutional targets.
• Highly strategic thinking, and significant experience in developing and driving effective advocacy strategies.
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, including public speaking and working with the media (both writing and broadcast interviews).
• Excellent analytical skills, first-class attention to detail, strong organizational and time management skills.
• Comfort and effectiveness with delivering and operating in a fast-moving, and highly matrixed international environment.
• Excellent negotiating skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• The ability to travel, to work to tight deadlines, and on own initiative

Experience:

• Significant experience of working with senior contacts either in EU institutions, the European Parliament or in a relevant public affairs role.
• Experience of working in or with NGOs.
• Proven experience of developing and implementing successful influencing strategies – including in working closely with communications colleagues to shape opinion.
• Experience of leading a team, motivating and line managing staff to deliver results and successfully managing budgets.
• Experience of working as part of an interdependent team, ideally internationally, and of quickly forming effective working relationships to deliver results.
• Experience of building effective coalitions between NGOs or other externally-facing organisations.
• Experience of convening cross-organisational teams around shared goals across different countries and forming effective working relationships to deliver results.
• Experience of representing an organization at a senior level in external networks, forums and events