UK Advocacy adviser Christian Aid

Christian Aid believes poverty can be ended, and that to do so unequal power relations need to be changed. Christian Aid supports local organisations in 45 developing countries around the world working on effective responses to poverty. Equally, fair and pro-poor policy frameworks at all levels are essential to ending poverty.

As part of a dynamic policy and advocacy team, you will bring your knowledge and experience of politics and public affairs to deliver strategic advocacy objectives with the UK government and parliament. You will identify political targets and processes to shape policy formation to promote Christian Aid’s priority themes and joint agency priorities. You will develop and implement effect advocacy initiatives and establish effective working relationships with parliamentarians and relevant decision-makers in government.

You will report to the Senior UK Political Adviser. You will have excellent knowledge of the UK government and parliament and their constituent bodies and processes, and a strong understanding of how policy change happens. You will have proven experience of effective lobbying and the ability to communicate complex issues simply, both verbally and in writing, to a range of different audiences. An understanding of the current issues and debates in international development is an advantage.

Please show your suitability for this post by giving answers to the following questions: Using the guidance notes may help you formulate your answers.

Decision making

Please describe an experience when you had to weigh up the pros and cons in an urgent and difficult advocacy situation and suggest a way forward in the most expedient manner possible.

What was the situation?
What was the impact of the pros?
What was the impact of the cons?

Planning and organising

Describe an advocacy project you planned and supervised, that required your setting goals, timelines and expected results.

What was the project?
What project goals and deliverables did you recommend?
What steps did you take to ensure your goals, timelines and deliverables were realistic?
How did you ensure that the proper quality of work was maintained?

Team working

Describe a time when you needed to make multiple efforts to influence the UK Parliament to support a particular position.

What was the project/task?
Why did you need to gain MP’s support?
Describe the various efforts you made in order to gain MP’s support
How successful were you in getting support?

Initiative

Talk about a time when a new advocacy or influencing opportunity arose unexpectedly.

What was the opportunity?
What did you take into consideration when deciding whether or not to pursue it?
What was your decision?
How did things work out?

We value the contribution each person makes to the success of our organisation. That’s why you can expect a wide range of rewards and benefits, including a generous holiday allowance, an interest-free season ticket loan, and flexibility that will ensure you enjoy a good work/life balance.

As this post is UK based, non-EC nationals will require current and valid permission to work in the UK.

Download the role profile (70 KB pdf)

To apply for this post, please download an application pack and email your completed UK & Ireland application form to: recruitment@christian-aid.org (quoting the reference number). Alternatively, your completed application form can be printed out and posted to us at:

Christian Aid
35 Lower Marsh
Waterloo
London SE1 7RT

Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

Job reference: 222/MA

Closing date: 9am, Monday 28 November 2011

Interview date: To be confirmed

Christian Aid values diversity and aspires to reflect this in our workforce. We welcome applications from people from all sections of the community, irrespective of race, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.