Policy, Advocacy & Campaigns Director at Plan International

Plan International

Madrid, Spain

REF: ADV-01

Plan International is searching a Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns Director based in Madrid. The post holder will focus on leading advocacy activities in Plan Spain in order to present Plan as a referent in Child Protection before institutional organizations and the sector. The ideal candidate will need to be an effective campaigner, with good understanding of the development sector and, ideally, child rights work. This will need to be backed up by effective communication, planning and organization skills. High command of English and Spanish is a must. The post will be based in Madrid with international travel up to 40%.

Overview

Plan is an international child centred community development organisation working in 70 countries, 51 of which are developing countries. With a focus on long term sustainable development, Plan works in a participative way with children and families across a range of programmes including education, health, household economic security, protection and water/sanitation. Plan also engages in humanitarian work. Advocacy cuts across all programmes.

Established in 2001, Plan Spain is a dynamic organisation that supports Plan’s work worldwide, with a particular focus on Child protection. Funding is received from a variety of sources including child sponsorship, Spanish Government and Regional Governments and also multilateral donors (UE, UN).

In addition, Plan Spain strives to raise awareness of development issues through development education, advocacy, the media and events.

General Description of the Role

Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns are crucial to the delivery of Plan’s programme development, implementation and impact and instrumental in our scaling up strategies. Based on research and programme evidence the post holder ensures Plan has the right and up to date thematic strategies, policies, positions advocacy and campaigns in place that result in real tangible impact for children. As it is crucial for Plan’s success and legitimacy on international levels the post holder also manages effective and efficient representation of Plan.

Main Responsibilities

• To design and develop strategic advocacy and lead Advocacy activities in Plan Spain and to develop, monitor, evaluate and report on the progress of the work plans in policy, advocacy and campaigns;
• To create and disseminate Plan position papers;
• To support Plan International in Spain in strengthening the collaboration with other Plan offices in order to facilitate and support involvement with relevant United Nations mechanisms, as well as creating bonding with stakeholders and networking beyond Plan. She/he will increase Plan’s influence regarding child rights and contributes to Plan’s global advocacy and communication work worldwide. By bringing up national and international child rights issues at the global level duty bearers are reminded of their responsibilities and obligations to act;
• To represent Plan in the media or at events, coordinate institutional networks and liaise with external stakeholders to advocate for change as per Plan’s policy;
• To identify, review and monitor advocacy opportunities and take appropriate follow up actions;
• To ensure that all activities undertaken on behalf of Plan, externally or internally, are executed in accordance with the overall aims of the organization and in line with Plan’s policies and procedures;
• To improve implementations of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC);
• To enhance international law and policy development on child rights;
• To mainstream child rights into other human rights processes;
• The post holder will have an active role in Plan's global Advocacy goals:
• Influence the global agenda by promoting and strengthening children and young people‘s rights;
• Position Plan as the global thought and practice leader on the intersection of gender equality, education and protection;
• Strengthen national child protection systems;
• Promote increased employment for youth in countries where Plan works;
• Transform how the development & humanitarian sectors work together in order to protect the rights of children, particularly adolescent girls, before, during and post emergencies;
• Influence aid and development policy to maximize the realization of child rights.

Skills

• Master level degree;
• A demonstrated understanding of relevant areas of international law, in particular of international humanitarian law;
• Minimum 5 years relevant professional experience in advocacy and communications focused on Human Rights/Child Rights, as a director;
• Experience working in humanitarian and/or development aid;
• Excellent communication, networking, and interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrated leadership in advocacy, policy, strategy development, and campaign implementation;
• Excellent writing and editing skills in Spanish and English;
• Managing internal and external relationships constructively, diplomatically and with discretion;
• Ability to meet deadlines under pressure;
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 40%;
• Extensive proven experience at professional level in working in a Child Rights organization;
• Successful record of external representation with media, lobbying and advocacy;
• Knowledge of current international development and advocacy trends;
• Experience with working in program countries;
• Proven knowledge of UN agencies and structures;
• Experience in working in a dynamic and multi-cultural organisation;
• High command of Spanish and English compulsory (bilingual level in both). French will be valuable.

How to Apply

Please submit a full CV and a comprehensive cover letter setting out your reasons for applying for the post and outlining the qualifications experience knowledge and skills that you feel you can bring to the role to:recruiting@plan-international.org (please specify REF: DIR-ADV-EUB in the subject). 

Deadline for submissions: 20th September 2015.