Advocacy Director

ILGA - the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association

Brussels, Belgium

Please note that only completed application form is accepted (no CVs or motivation letters).

ILGA-Europe is the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Association (ILGA). It is a non-governmental umbrella organisation which represents its members, principally organisations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex persons, at the European level by advocating with European Union institutions, the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Its membership consists of some 300 organisations from 47 European countries. Its purpose is to fight for the rights of those who face discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Since its establishment in 1996 as a volunteer-run organisation, ILGA-Europe has grown into a professional and credible key European human rights players. ILGA-Europe is not only a federation of local and national LGBTI organisations firmly anchored in grass root movements, we are also a respectable partner working very closely with a number of international and European institutions and human rights organisations. The organisation therefore needs skilled and highly motivated people to join its dynamic and professional team and to respond to ever-growing demands for expertise by a variety of political and social actors.

The job

The post holder will be responsible in conjunction with the Executive Director for capacity and organisational development of ILGA-Europe and its membership. In the framework of the post, the person will be asked to lead on developing strategies to empower and build the capacity of LGBTI organisations in Europe; to play a leading role in developing and implementing fundraising strategies; to advise the Executive Director on new areas of organisational development; to manage ILGA-Europe’s re-granting activities; to represent ILGA-Europe at high-level meetings and events at national, European and global levels; and to maintain or develop partnerships and coalitions with NGOs, donors, institutional actors at regional and global level.

Candidates should be strongly committed to working for human rights and equality, and have competencies and demonstrated experience in:

• leading and delivering institutional, political, legislative or social change through advocacy with institutional, governmental and other political actors;
• producing strategic political analysis and developing effective policy and advocacy strategies;
• building strategic partnerships to achieve political and social change;
• developing the public profile of an organisation.

Qualifications, experience and other requirements are:

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively;
• Excellent political judgement and understanding of political dynamics;
• Demonstrated ability to explain and defend complex issues and positions to wide variety of audiences;
• An excellent knowledge of human rights international standards and equality issues. Specific knowledge of human rights as they relate to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people is desirable;
• Excellent communication skills (writing and presentation), including a high standard of written and spoken English. A working knowledge of another European language is desirable;
• Excellent representational skills;
• Experience of staff management;
• Ability to work as part of a diverse team, and maintain excellent working relationships;
• Sensitivity to working in a multicultural and diverse environment and commitment to promoting respect for equality and diversity;
• Demonstrated capacity to adapt to rapidly changing environments;
• Experience of working at European or international level. Working knowledge of European institutions (European Union, the Council of Europe and/or the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) is desirable.

Gross salary

The salary scale for the post of Advocacy Director is €50,114.23 to €55,181.96 (gross annual salary inclusive of holiday pay). The organisation offers a generous remuneration package, including a pension scheme, a hospitalisation insurance scheme, luncheon vouchers and 25 days annual leave (20 days Belgian legal holidays and 5 additional days provided by ILGA-Europe). Relocation support from within Europe to Brussels will be given.

How to apply?

Closing date for receipt of applications: Friday, 21 February, 2014 (17.00 CET).

Find below links to three documents which you should read carefully before you complete the form:

Application form

ILGA-Europe's equal opportunities statement: ILGA-Europe is committed to equal opportunities and we welcome applications from all suitable candidates regardless of age, creed, race, ethnic minority, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, domestic circumstances, HIV status, disability or any other grounds.

The job description and key competencies, which sets out the purpose, reporting relationship and accountabilities of the position.

Competencies are made up of the behaviours, skills, knowledge and understanding needed to carry out a particular activity well. They provide a basis for evaluating how well a person is able to undertake key elements of the role, whether or not she/he has carried them out before.

Please read the job description and person specification and carefully demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria as this informs the short listing process.

The competencies for the Advocacy Director role reflect the full range of functions in the job description. For the purposes of this recruitment we have selected those which are most important for the post holder to have at this stage of the organisation’s development. We will use these in deciding who to appoint to the post and in appraising performance when in post. However we do not expect all applicants to be strong in all of them. We are committed to developing our staff so that they can improve their performance and personal effectiveness.

The selection process:

a. We will communicate our decision on the list of candidates to be interviewed by Friday, 28 February 2014. All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application at that time.

b. The interviews will take place in Brussels on Friday, 21 March 2014.

c. We will ask short listed candidates to prepare a written exercise and a short presentation for the interview. Candidates may be asked to carry out another exercise at the interview.

d. The interview itself will last approximately one hour, including the presentation.