Interested in an exciting role which helps protect forests, the climate and human rights? This may be the job for you.
Earthsight is looking for an experienced campaigner to lead our policy and comms work delivering impactful analyses and advocacy on the impacts of Western consumption on the world’s forests, native biomes and local communities.
Earthsight is a non-profit organisation dedicated to researching and investigating environmental and social crime and injustice. We use cutting-edge investigative methods to uncover and expose wrongdoing. Since emerging as a fully-fledged organisation in 2016, our reports have garnered headlines, won awards and triggered major changes by governments and corporations.
We seek to create positive change by influencing government policy, uncovering greenwash and raising awareness among key constituencies about the impacts of global supply chains on the world’s forests and forest communities.
Most global deforestation is driven by industrial production of a handful of major commodities, including beef, soy, palm oil and wood. A large chunk of this production is to meet demand in Western consumer markets. Over the past few years, Earthsight has played a key role in highlighting the complicity of corporations and consumers in the EU, UK and US in the destruction of forests overseas, as well as the abuses of local people which accompany that destruction. As part of a global coalition, we have succeeded in getting laws passed or under development in all those jurisdictions which aim to clean up these supply chains. Now we need to ensure those laws are effectively enforced.
This role will be key to that. As part of a small team, you will help design and coordinate implementation of our policy strategy and outputs. You will represent the organisation in meetings with policymakers, government authorities and civil society, as well as help draft and disseminate policy briefings and other advocacy material. You will also oversee our comms work.
The position is offered as a full-time permanent contract. The successful candidate would preferably be based in the UK and able to come into our office in London regularly. Earthsight is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring careers in the charity sector are open to all. We value difference and believe it enhances our capabilities. We therefore particularly encourage applications from people from a range of different backgrounds.
Main tasks and responsibilities
- Input into policy strategy and planning for the three geographic teams (Latin America, Southeast Asia/Africa, Northern Forests)
- Produce annual overarching policy strategy for policy/advocacy work in cross-cutting areas, for approval by SMT. Oversee delivery of the strategy and provide progress reports to SMT
- Oversee production of annual communications strategy (plan for building press contacts database, social media engagement, website development, mailing lists). Oversee delivery of the strategy and provide progress reports to SMT
- Line-manage the Content Creative and Press Coordinator and the Researcher/Campaigner: EUDR
- Support Content Creative and Press Coordinator in ensuring website and social media outputs consistently adhere to correct format, message and language
- Conduct advocacy on areas which are cross-cutting, not falling clearly under the responsibility of one of the three geographic teams (e.g. EU Deforestation Regulation implementation issues and reviews, other EU laws, UK and US regulations, etc.)
- Participate in relevant civil society coalitions in Europe and the UK and coordinate Earthsight’s inputs and contributions to coalition work
- Build and maintain relationships with key policy stakeholders in Europe and the UK, including policymakers, civil servants, civil society, enforcement authorities
- Attend relevant international conferences and meetings
- Manage an operational budget for the Policy and Communications Team
- Support recruitment and selection of new team members for the team, and line manage selected candidates once they’re in place
- Stay abreast of, coordinate and assist with advocacy work conducted by the geographic team leads and their teams
- Report regularly on progress with policy and comms work, and finances to Deputy Director
Person specification
Essential
- At least five years’ experience working as a campaigner on environmental, forests, climate change, human rights or a related field
- Excellent campaigning skills with proven ability to understand complex policy issues and convey effective messages to influence a desired campaign outcome
- Ability to establish and maintain effective contacts and relationships, not only among civil society but also with policymakers and government authorities
- Line management experience
- Strong writing skills, with ability to produce compelling, impactful and persuasive texts in English for external audiences
- Strong attention to detail and factual accuracy
- Self-motivated and collaborative team player
- Organised with the ability to manage a variety of tasks and competing priorities
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of EU policymaking processes and institutions
- Fluency in a major EU language (for example French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish or Polish)
Benefits
Among what Earthsight offers is:
- Generous employer’s pension contribution
- Flexible and hybrid working policies
- 25 days annual leave with one extra day for every year with the organisation (up to 30 days)
- Cycling to work scheme
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Senior Advocacy Advisor - International Financial Institutions
Contract: Permanent, Full time
Location: The role can be based in the United Kingdom, London or United States, Washington, or other locations that can be considered subject to right-to-work eligibility in the respective country.
Salary & Benefits: Salaries and benefits for different countries will vary in line with the location of the successful candidate and depending on experience. See further details below:
- United Kingdom, Grade 3: £48,300 to £50,700 with excellent benefits
- United States: Grade D: Salary range, to be discussed with the successful candidate
About WaterAid:
Want to use your skills in influencing World Bank and IFIs to play a vital role in making clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone everywhere?
We need passionate, creative and dedicated people. In return, you will be encouraged and empowered to be yourself at your very best. Together, we will make a bigger difference.
Join WaterAid as our Senior Advocacy Advisor on International Financial Institutions to change normal for millions of people so they can unlock their potential, break free from poverty and change their lives for good.
About the Team:
The WaterAid International Affairs team The Global International Affairs team plays a leadership role across the WaterAid Federation to drive the design and delivery of WaterAid's major influencing with key donors, international and multilateral institutions to achieve SDG 6. The team's purpose is to convince influential political decisionmakers to prioritise water, sanitation and hygiene in their policy and funding agendas, and to create the conditions that enable everyone, everywhere to access WASH by 2030.
About the Role:
As our Senior Advocacy Advisor on International Financial Institutions you will increase and strengthen our advocacy and capacity to influence global development finance institutions, particularly the World Bank but also be informed on major developments in other IFIs, e.g. recent Paris Summit and Global Financing Pact. We want to ensure our engagement is systematic, impactful and builds up an increased evidence base for influence on the institution.
In this role, you will will employ a range of strategies to advocate for changes in the policies, standards and practices of the World Bank particularly as it relates to water sanitation and hygiene particularly in the context of the twin climate change and global health crises. This position will include a focus on the World Bank Group's Water Global Practice and the Global Water Security and Sanitation Partnership, as well as also support WaterAid Country Programme teams and partners to influence the World Bank's operations at the country level.
You'll also:
- Develop and implement advocacy strategies designed to influence the policies of the World Bank and other relevant IFIs on water sanitation & hygiene in line with WaterAid's globally agreed policy and campaign priorities, and in coordination with allies.
- Build a network of contacts and relationships, including relevant IFI/ World Bank staff and Executive Directors, gather information, and advocate with the Board and staff of the World Bank on particular country operations and key policy areas
- Build technical knowledge and understanding of the Bank's policies and practices in relation to the WASH sector, including the activities of the International Development Association (IDA) and how these relate to countries in which WaterAid has CPs
- Keep abreast of complex and fast changing political debates and monitor emerging trends internationally, across the Bank's key donor governments to inform WaterAid's political positioning, ensuring the organisation's advocacy is responsive and relevant;Actively participate in and contribute to the political influencing and campaign strategies for the Global Advocacy Priority campaigns on WASH & climate and on WASH & women's health.
- Engaging with the networks and coalitions for relevant IFI advocacy.
- Liaise with WaterAid Country Programmes, the Pan-Africa Programme, Federation Members to strengthen collaboration and further WaterAid's advocacy towards IFIs;
About You:
- Excellent understanding of the World Bank and other IFIs, including their policies, lending practices, mandates, ways of working, and how to influence them.
- Expert understanding of international aid and development finance as it relates to health, climate and inequalities.
- Demonstrated experience in effective advocacy and policy influencing, with strong skills and track record relationship building and networking for advocacy impact. (including institutions, teams, individuals)
- Strong interpersonal skills, and ability to work well and support international teams and country-based colleagues as well as working with international coalitions.
- Develop and implement advocacy strategies designed to influence the policies of the World Bank and other relevant IFIs on water sanitation & hygiene in line with WaterAid's globally agreed policy and campaign priorities, and in coordination with allies.
- Build a network of contacts and relationships, including relevant IFI/ World Bank staff and Executive Directors, gather information, and advocate with the Board and staff of the World Bank on particular country operations and key policy areas
- Work with the Pan-African advocacy lead and staff in key regions to leverage IFI relationships.
- Integrate a range of disciplines and innovative tactics to achieve political change and build momentum towards the achievement of SDG 6;
- Represent WaterAid at meetings/conferences, speak publicly and give media interviews.
Closing date: Applications will close at 23:59 on 15th May 2024. Availability for the interview is required from the week commencing 27th May 2024.
How to Apply: To see the full job pack, please click 'Apply'.
- Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter into one document in either Word Document or PDF format.
- Please indicate your location and the right to work eligibility in your Cover letter.
Pre-employment screening: To apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to the applicable laws in the respective country. All our UK-based vacancies require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to comply with our Safer Recruitment policy.
Our Commitment
Our People Promise:
We will work with passion and focus to ensure safe and sustainable water, toilets and hygiene are available to everyone, everywhere. WaterAid is a place of purpose - where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to put the wellbeing of our people first, to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.
Equal opportunities:
We are an equal opportunity, disability-confident employer and are dedicated to achieving the highest standards of diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions and ways of life. This includes, but is not limited to, race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, national or social origin, health status, and economic or social situation.
Safeguarding:
We are also committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously.