Advocacy Officer at the Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict

BACKGROUND:

The Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict is an NGO network that monitors and reports on violations against the security and rights of children and adolescents in specific situations of armed conflict. Watchlist uses this information to urge action by the UN Security Council, other UN agencies and appropriate governments. Watchlist also provides capacity strengthening support to local NGO partners in areas of conflict to build sustainable, grass roots monitoring, reporting and advocacy networks related to violations against children in armed conflicts.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Advocacy Officer is based in New York. The Advocacy Officer’s role is to advance Watchlist’s priorities with the Security Council, UN missions, UN agencies, and, as needed, the General Assembly and other international organizations.

The Advocacy Officer will lead the design and implementation of the organization’s advocacy strategy in New York under supervision of the Watchlist Director and in close coordination with Watchlist staff and Board. The Advocacy Officer is expected to serve as an expert voice on issues of concern to children affected by armed conflict in order to advocate effectively for the organization. The Advocacy Officer reports to the Director.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Lead initiatives to advance the Security Council’s agenda on children and armed conflict by identifying strategic influencing opportunities and developing and implementing advocacy initiatives with the Security Council and other key UN agencies and missions, in close coordination with Watchlist staff, Board and field-based partners.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with the diplomatic and humanitarian communities in New York.
• Organize informational and advocacy meetings with Security Council and other member states that advance the organization’s advocacy goals.
• Prepare position papers, briefing memos and letters for the UN Security Council, and other advocacy targets, as well as material for the media targeted at a more general audience.
• Support the Reports Officer in the development of advocacy strategies, initiatives and documents related to the Field Monitor-reports.
• Assess and record the impact of Watchlist’s NY-based advocacy.
• Contribute to other areas of Watchlist work as appropriate, such as the development of periodic policy papers, general communications and fundraising efforts.
  • Periodic travel as required.

• Support the Capacity-Strengthening Officer in the development of joint country-specific advocacy with partners, as well as in the formulation of advocacy points for UNICEF, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Office of the Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict to improve technical aspects of the MRM.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s Degree in international affairs, international law, political science, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years work experience, including at least 3 years progressive non-profit work experience with humanitarian issues and advocacy.
• Knowledge of the UN system, international human rights and humanitarian law. Demonstrated experience designing and implementing advocacy strategies targeted at the UN humanitarian system and other key humanitarian actors.
• Expertise on child protection issues in conflict and humanitarian settings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; proven ability to communicate effectively with multiple audiences and to produce persuasive advocacy materials for a range of audiences.
• Solid diplomatic skills; must be able to manage a variety of internal and external relationships in a cross-cultural professional environment and represent the organization with senior level diplomats and other policy makers.
• Strong coordination and organization skills; demonstrated record of successful internal and external coordination. Officer must be able to work with minimum supervision.
• Solid computer skills: ability to work effectively and accurately with MS Word, Excel, and social media applications.

Applicant must have the legal right to work in the US. We are an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical condition (cancer-related) or conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions (ARC). Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

Reports to: Director, Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict

Position: Regular, Full-time

Location: New York, NY

Deadline to Apply: May 18, 2012 or until position is filled.

To apply submit: CV or résumé, cover letter, salary requirements and 2 writing samples --- (1) an unedited 3 page sample and(2) an excerpt of comprehensive research-based writing via email to: Brooke Blanchard, Watchlist Program Manager- E-mail: brookeb@watchlist.org