Senior adviser, Poverty Over and inequality Christian Aid

Christian Aid understands inequality as a key driver of poverty. In our new strategic framework, Partnership for Change, we prioritise reducing inequalities of power and of access to resources.

You’ll play the focal role, researching and leading our work and shaping our positions on inequality and keeping Christian Aid positioned at the centre of relevant policy debates. You will steer our work on the post MDG development framework, working cross organisationally and in our global alliances. It’s a chance to help shape a fair and equitable development framework for the coming decades, bringing the voices of poor people to the fore.

As the spotlight on inequalities grows, you will be part of a policy team working to ensure coherence and linkages across all Christian Aid’s positions. You will also work closely with advocacy staff in the UK and overseas to shape and deliver effective influencing strategies, and be responsible for liaising with both external partners and high-level decision makers – including the UN, British Government and EU. This, along with potential research work abroad, means you should expect to travel for up to 50 days per year.

Thanks to substantial policy, research or field experience, you’ll have a thorough, all-round knowledge of the issues surrounding poverty eradication and inequality. And whether you join us from an NGO, government department or think tank, you’ll know how to form policy in a non-state sector and be confident carrying out in-depth research and analysis. Excellent communication skills are also essential if you’re to successfully lobby and build relationships with a range of key contacts.

More than half the world lives in poverty. We aim to put a stop to that. So we campaign against the inequalities that keep people poor and we work with local organisations to give people strength to find their own solutions to the problems they face, irrespective of their religion. If you’re as determined as we are to end poverty and injustice across the world, work with us to make change happen.

You will be a graduate, in any of the social sciences, development studies or other relevant field, with excellent knowledge of poverty analysis and current academic/policy debates around equality, inclusion and the MDG framework. You will also bring substantial policy, research or field experience on environment, development and economic justice or related topic, preferably on advocacy, communications or similar work in an NGO, public policy or similar environment.

You will have sound and informed knowledge of donor policy, trends and analytical frameworks around poverty eradication and the broader enabling environment for civil society. Knowledge of power and /or political economy analysis and rights based approaches are also essential.

Knowledge of broader policy debates around MDG’s and the post 2015 framework, sustainability and gender are required, with proven experience of different social research methods, including quantitative, qualitative and participatory methods. You will also bring experience of designing and managing and advocacy strategies, ensuring the optimising of influencing opportunities.

We are also particularly interested in candidates who are from the Global South.

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

Build partnerships

Tell us about a time when you had to build relationships with different individuals or other organisations to further your own organisation’s policy or advocacy goals.

Communicate effectively

Tell us about a time when you had adapt your style, approach, and delivery method to communicate effectively with a particular audience.

Deliver results

Please tell us about a time when you took a decision or made recommendations when the situation was difficult, ambiguous or rapidly evolving.

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, a 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 (111 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: 273-MA

Closing date: Thursday 31 May 2012

Interview date: Week commencing 11 June 2012

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.