JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title Reporting to: Department/Team Location Hours Job level / Salary Duration Disclosure Level Director of Advocacy Deputy Executive Director, Communications, Advocacy and Programmes Advocacy 1 Westfield Avenue, London E20 1HZ 35hrs per week. Other flexible arrangements will be considered Competitive salary Permanent Basic Position in the organisation Unicef UK s Advocacy team works to improve government policy and practice on child rights in the UK and internationally, by presenting decision-makers with a compelling case for change based on evidence, through lobbying and public campaigning. We also influence the private sector to achieve positive change in the lives of children. The team works closely with colleagues in the communications division to mobilise Unicef UK s high profile supporters and the organisation s voice in the media to increase the impact of our advocacy messages. Purpose of Post The post holder will be responsible for ensuring Unicef UK effectively uses policy and advocacy in the UK to bring about its vision of achieving a world fit for children. In addition, s/he will be responsible for coordinating the broad framework for influencing, lobbying and campaigning across different UK audiences including civil society, government and businesses to improve policy and practice on child rights both in the UK and internationally. The role of Advocacy Director is one of enormous breadth, combining leadership of the Advocacy team with a range of wider leadership responsibilities across the organisation to ensure an integrated approach to achieving our strategic goals to increase income and influence for Unicef UK. Working in close collaboration with colleagues across the organisation, the Advocacy Director is responsible for delivering Unicef UK s advocacy mission to improve government policy and practice on child rights, in the UK and internationally and is accountable for achieving high level legal and policy change. The post holder will be called upon to act as a senior public
spokesperson for Unicef UK and to present decision makers with a compelling case for change, based on evidence, and advanced through lobbying and public campaigning. This role has direct management oversight and responsibility for the strategic development, policy focus and effective implementation of Unicef UK s advocacy work comprising: policy, research, government and parliamentary influencing and public campaigning and work in an integrated cross-organisational way to bring to life our cause-led campaigns. This involves working closely with fundraising and partnership teams, communications and marketing colleagues and collaborating to ensure integrated and effective supporter journeys. The post coleads private sector advocacy with the Head of Child Rights and Business and has a significant contribution to make to the development of this element of our work for children. Finally, this team also co-leads on youth engagement strategy and the involvement of children and young people is threaded throughout this work. The Director of Advocacy plays a key role on the wider Senior Leadership Team, and is expected to contribute to setting organisational direction, developing strategy, managing financial performance and leading the wider workforce. The postholder must be a leader who is able to help and inspire others at Unicef UK to help make their vision a reality and have the skills, sensitivity, emotional intelligence and personal confidence to tap into the power that each member of staff brings. Responsibilities Strategy Lead the development of the vision and strategy for Unicef UK s advocacy work in the context of the organisations wider strategic objectives, communicate and champion this strategy across the organisation, and position Unicef UK confidently in a competitive UK advocacy market. Work collaboratively with Programmes, Communications and Fundraising teams to ensure that strategies build on the wider expertise of the organisation, and are integrated with wider goals, particularly in bringing to life our cause-led campaigns. Lead the development and implementation of the team and organisation s wider strategic plans; providing regular management and board reports and ensuring the plan is delivered to budget. Lead the development and implementation of the team s private sector engagement strategy, as part of the Child Rights and Business unit. Lead the development and implementation of a coherent Unicef UK approach to engagement with the UK government that is coherent and positions the organisation effectively to increase income and influence, with a particular emphasis on developing significant high level political relationships. Encourage innovation, and continuously monitor, evaluate, benchmark and share lessons learnt to ensure best practice across the organisation. Leadership and Management Lead, direct and manage the Advocacy Team, its strategies, people and other resources. with responsibility for delivering high impact advocacy work to meet agreed objectives. Contribute to the management and strategic direction of Unicef UK as part of the Senior Leadership Team, the Integrated Marketing Group and Integrated Campaign Management Groups. Demonstrate leadership in modelling organisational values. Direct line management of the Head of Campaigns and Advocacy; Head of Policy Head of Private Sector and the team assistant, as well as Project Leadership of at least one major cause-led project and any other projects at the Senior Leadership level.
Support professional, leadership and management development and learning of the staff of the Advocacy team. Work with others to identify and mitigate potential political risk to ensure Unicef UK s political neutrality is safeguarded. Research and Policy Identify key policy issues and opportunities in the context of the political agenda in order to maximise Unicef UK s influence. Overseeing the commissioning and management of research from external organisations or consultants, and supporting team members to ensure Unicef UK s advocacy is evidence and rights based. Overseeing the development of policy, the preparation of policy briefings, research reports, background papers and other advocacy materials. Ensuring effective information sharing and liaison with wider Unicef family (New York and Geneva) and/or regional or country offices in the rest of the world on policy positions and initiatives. Ensuring Unicef UK s advocacy is underpinned by, and makes visible, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Keeping abreast of the latest developments and horizon scan for future trends. Ensuring the involvement of young people where appropriate. Government Relations Directing and supporting the Head of Campaigns and Advocacy and government relations subteam in: Drawing up strong political strategies and keeping these live. Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with Parliamentarians, civil servants, parliamentary researchers. Responding to consultations, preparing submissions. Briefing Parliamentarians for debates, enquiries, EDMs, APPG meetings and suggesting questions. Monitoring developments in the devolved nations and at EU and a wider international level. Having an overview of Unicef UK engagement with the UK Government, to ensure strategic relationship management to maximise Unicef UK s political impact. Liaising with the Executive Director and Unicef s offices in Geneva and New York (PARMO) to ensure careful and effective management of Unicef s relationship with the UK Government, especially DFID and Number 10 Downing Street. Working in coalition or partnership with other NGOs. Identifying opportunities for public campaign actions and media coverage. Keeping Unicef UK s website up-to-date on their areas of work. Involving young people appropriately. Planning for and supporting the Executive Director or Deputy Executive Director attendance at Ministerial meetings and accompanying him/her or attending on behalf of Unicef UK where appropriate. Public Campaigning Directing and supporting the work of the Head of Campaigns and Advocacy and campaign subteam in: Drawing up, implementing and keeping live Unicef UK s Campaign Strategies. Identifying and delivering campaign actions which maximise take up rates. Communicating with Unicef UK s campaign supporters to retain and motivate them to take action, in particular working with the team to encourage innovative campaign approaches, especially around the use of digital to position Unicef UK well in the UK market.
Recruiting new campaign supporters, cross-selling and co-ordinating with other supporter facing teams e.g. Direct Marketing, and managing Campaigner data systems: capture, integration and reporting. Working in Campaigning coalitions and networking with other campaigning NGOs. Mounting campaign events, stunts and demonstrations and gaining media coverage. Involving young people authentically in Unicef UK s campaigning. External Representation Act as a Unicef UK media spokesperson and support others to act as media spokespeople. Presenting to external audiences. Develop significant relationships, and meeting with, high profile target decision makers and influencers. Ensure that Unicef UK is appropriately represented in external coalitions which further its advocacy aims. Deputise for the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director as required. Occasional evening or weekend working as necessary and by prior arrangement.
PERSON SPECIFICATION This section details the skills, behaviours and experience required for the role. All criteria in the Person Specification are essential. Effective Behaviours Criterion 1: Leadership Criterion 2: Good management Criterion 3: Negotiating and influencing Criterion 4: Communication Relevant Experience Works effectively across an organisation in a senior capacity and contribute to the wider vision and strategy of Unicef UK. Natural leadership and exceptional capacity for managing and leading people through times of growth and change. Provides strategic direction, sets clear objectives, clarifies expectations and agrees the parameters for each person s authority and accountability. Delegates work appropriately, encouraging and empowering people to act on their initiative and make decisions within agreed parameters. An in-depth understanding and ability to influence the political context in which development policy decisions are made. Brings a range of external perspectives to internal situations, influence other organisations to Unicef UK s advantage and promote Unicef UK s aims creatively. Possesses outstanding communication skills and synthesises complicated policy issues into digestible, actionable briefings and public communications. Personal gravitas and presence to promote Unicef UK with confidence and authority, including in high-level meetings and the media. Criterion 5: Senior experience of campaigns and public affairs within the human rights, child rights and/or humanitarian/development sectors and an understanding of both the UK domestic and the international policy architecture and environment, including demonstrable experience of achieving policy change Criterion 6: A record of successful financial and resource management. Criterion 7: A clear understanding of the links between fundraising, policy, lobbying, campaigning and media work and of how policy change can be achieved through effective advocacy Criterion 8: A deep commitment to and knowledge of both UK and domestic children s issues and international development issues as well as an understanding of a rights-based approach Criterion 9: An understanding of the complexity of large organisations and the ability to negotiate diplomatically Criterion 10: To be able to demonstrate proven visionary and strategic leadership skills and the ability to inspire and lead a high performing advocacy team, as well as engaging across Unicef UK to ensure an integrated approach to achieving our strategic goals to increase income and influence