Senior Policy and Advocacy Adviser Regional Alliances

CONCORD is the European Confederation of NGOs working on sustainable development and international cooperation. With the support of our 58 members, our Confederation, representing over 2600 NGOs, is the main interlocutor with the EU institutions on sustainable development policy and international cooperation.

We work together to ensure that European policies promote equal, just and inclusive societies in a sustainable world.

CONCORD is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are made entirely on merit.

Role Specification
The purpose of this role is to provide expert input and to support CONCORD members to shape CONCORD’s advocacy work on regional alliances, in alignment with our vision and values. As set out in CONCORD’s new multiannual strategy 2023-2026 a crucial aspect of our work is to promote meaningful partnerships between the EU and other regions and to examine and reframe existing narratives about international cooperation which are often based on (neo)colonial viewpoints. Our Regional Alliance Adviser plays a key role in this regard working closely with CONCORD members and their country offices in Africa, Latin America and Asia to shape new narratives and to push for new EU policies through robust evidence-based advocacy. You will also contribute to the work of our other advisers within the Secretariat to achieve our joint aim of transformational change in EU policy and you will support the communication team in contributing to the visibility of CONCORD’s work.

Key areas of responsibility

• Coordination of, enabling and facilitating CONCORD Regional Alliances working structure, including planning and reporting
• Promoting meaningful partnerships between the EU and other regions of the world
• Promote inclusive political dialogue and build relationships with the EU institutions
• Analyse, inform about and respond to EU and international policy processes and trends that are relevant with regards to EU partnerships with other regions especially the EU-African Union partnership and civil society’s role
• Contribute to overall policy and advocacy work and internal coordination and collaboration
• Represent the Confederation in relevant governance, planning, intelligence and advocacy meetings
• Support the peer-to-peer capacity-building of members to better engage in national, EU, partner country and international advocacy initiatives

Person Specification
The successful candidate will understand and be committed to CONCORD’s vision and goals and be able to contribute to CONCORD’s ambition to pursue a transformational agenda at EU level.

Knowledge

• Academic background or professional experience in the international development and/or human rights sector
• Sound understanding of gender equality
• Good understanding of EU policy-making and influencing processes and strategies

Experience

• At least 5 years of professional experience (excluding unpaid internships) in policy and advocacy work
• Experience in advocacy towards the EU with proven track record of policy and advocacy successes
• Experience of writing briefings or reports on international cooperation or related issues
• Experience of organising events and coordinating different entities
• Familiarity with civil society networks outside the EU
• Experience of working in Africa or Latin America desirable

Skills

• Politically astute, with well-honed policy analysis skills, including an ability to analyse political and policy trends and to develop strategic advocacy positions that imply transformative change;
• Excellent interpersonal, cross-cultural and communication skills and collegial approach, including tactful but effective facilitation to build consensus;
• Strong planning and organisational skills, particularly the ability to plan and execute research that contributes to advocacy positions
• Capable of working independently and as part of a team;
• Capable networker, able to coordinate and operate effectively in coalitions;
• Confidence and fluency in communicating to external audiences on CONCORD’s work in your areas of focus;
• Fluent level written and spoken English;
• Working knowledge of French is essential and Spanish is very desirable

Conditions of Employment

• Contract: One-year full-time position (“CDD”) with possibility of conversion to a permanent contract (“CDI”) on successful completion
• Location: Brussels, Belgium
• Gross salary: from €3956 per month, depending on experience
• Other benefits: ‘thirteenth month’; holiday allowance; hospitalisation insurance; affiliation to pension scheme; meal vouchers, teleworking allowance and a monthly commuting allowance on local public transport or by bicycle.
• The position reports to the Head of Advocacy.

How to apply
If you are interested, please upload as one document the following information, on CONCORD’s portal:

• Your CV (max 2 pages, no photo)
• Your cover letter responding to the following questions:
  • Why do you want to work for CONCORD? (100 words max.)
  • What interests you about this role in particular? (100 words max.)
  • What does shaping new narratives in the EU’s international partnerships mean to you? (250 words max.)

Only applications and CVs written in English will be accepted.

The closing date for applications is close of business on 5 April 2023. However applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews will be scheduled accordingly. The selection process may close as soon as a suitable candidate has been shortlisted.
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Ideal start date: 24 April 2023