Advocacy specialists
We need experienced advocacy specialists to generate strategies and train colleagues in lobbying and advocacy. Most of our roles require specific experience in particular poverty issues, such as HIV/AIDS, increasing the inclusivity of and access to education, or enhancing the rights of disabled people.
Roles are generally longer term, ranging from one to two years, but we also have occasional short term assignments for up to six months.
You’ll need a degree and at least five years’ experience in advocacy and campaigning strategy development, policy analysis or social research. Strong project management and networking skills, as well as experience of training and developing others, are desirable.
You could be working in countries such as The Gambia, Ghana, Uganda, Pakistan, Guyana or Sierra Leone.
What you’ll be doing
You'll work to build the expertise of local colleagues so they can better call for change. That might mean training staff in lobbying, policy analysis and research or helping them to develop promotional and educational material.
You could be helping your colleagues change attitudes to people living with HIV or disabilities, widen access to education, reduce gender inequality or protect the rights of vulnerable people.
Example roles
Please note these are just example placements to illustrate the kind of roles that may come up in your skill area.
Advocacy and campaigning officer
The Philippines
You will be working with AKAP PINOY assisting in responding to the organisation's increasing need to focus on advocacy.
This role will be working with AKAP PINOY, an organisation that was established to unite all people with disabilities and has a membership that includes people with a wide range of physical impairments. It is the first and only organisation that works across disabilities in the Philippines. It develops work opportunities for disadvantaged people, and increasingly now needs to focus on advocacy.
What does the role involve?
- Facilitating the development of an advocacy strategic plan, including conducting research and networking activities amongst key stakeholders
- Helping to develop specific tools in support of AKAP’s advocacy work
- Upgrading the organisation's website
- Providing professional support and guidance to the development of AKAP’s staff
- Helping AKAP to realise funding opportunities to support the important advocacy component of its work
Skills, qualifications and experience required
You will need experience of strategic management and planning for advocacy, though not necessarily in a development context, and experience of developing and coordinating the activities of diverse groups of non-governmental organisation partners. You will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and have good networking skills to link and bring groups together. You'll be a self-starter and be able to confidently recommend new strategic directions for the organisation. Because of the media you'll be working with, knowledge of radio as a broadcast medium is also desirable.
And the rest...
Iligan City on Mindanao is called the ‘City of Waterfalls’ as it is surrounded by several of them. The city has a rural rather than urban feel and the climate is generally hot and humid. There are good facilities with plenty of restaurants serving Filipino, Chinese and European food. There are a number of leisure activities including bowling, karaoke, restaurants and relaxing on nearby beaches.
Advocacy adviser
Malawi
You will be working with CISANET to help to develop an effective advocacy strategy and train staff in advocacy and campaigning techniques.
Malawi continues to suffer from acute maize shortages and chronic under-nutrition, with small-scale farmers, female-headed households and people living with HIV and AIDS facing the greatest risks. CISANET is a Malawian Network of civil society organisations, including international as well as local NGOs, farmers associations and other interested individuals.
As agricultural production in Malawi continues to be dominated by smallholder farmers, CISANET’s aim is to give a greater voice and ensure active participation of these smallholders and in policy dialogue. As an advocacy adviser with CISANET you’ll help the organisation to develop an effective advocacy strategy and train staff in advocacy and campaigning techniques.
What does the role involve?
- Building the capacity of CISANET staff and network members in advocacy work and strategies, by organising workshops and giving other training as necessary
- Guiding the development of an effective advocacy and media strategy for CISANET
- Leading on marketing and communications activities
- Monitoring and evaluation of advocacy activities and work
Skills, qualifications and experience required
Ideally, you’ll have a degree level qualification with strong knowledge and experience of advocacy strategy development. As you’ll be working with limited resources, you’ll need to be highly creative in planning advocacy campaigns and developing necessary materials. Strong monitoring and evaluation skills are also essential, as are good communication skills. Flexibility, patience and a sense of humour are important qualities that will help you adapt to living and working in a different culture.
And the rest...
Landlocked Malawi is situated in south-eastern Africa, bordering Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia. You’ll be based in Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital. There are two well-stocked supermarkets in town and several market areas with a wide range of fresh foods, clothes, second-hand shoes and household equipment. Lake Malawi is around 1-2 hours’ drive from Lilongwe, so it’s a popular option for weekends away.
We’ll ask you to commit to 12-24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our support package includes a local living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we'll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.
Current roles
Below are placements ready to go in the next three months. To apply for these, please fill out the registration form quoting the relevant placement number; if the role you are interested in becomes filled we will get in touch about other suitable roles. If you aren’t ready to leave yet or none of these placements are suitable, you should register to start the application process and we can match you later.
From 08/05/2012
Community advocacy support officer
Ghana
You’ll develop community action plans that keep children in school, particularly those with disabilities.
Community advocacy support officer
Ghana Education Service
Nadowli, Ghana
Start date: 8 May 2012
Length: 24 months
What does the role involve?
Working with colleagues at the District Education Office, you’ll develop community action plans that keep children in school, particularly those with disabilities. You’ll form parent associations and reach out into the community to get its members involved in education.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
With a degree relevant to development, social or community work you’ll have excellent communications skills, together with experience of working within the community. You’ll need the skills to devise community profiles and be a competent facilitator.
And the rest...
To visit the local communities, you’ll be traveling by motorbike. Training will be provided by VSO.
To apply for this role please put the following reference on your application form: GH0576-0005-0004
From 30/08/2012
Education advocacy adviser
The Gambia
You’ll work with your local colleagues to develop an annual plan of advocacy activities and implement methods for monitoring and evaluation.
Education advocacy adviser
Education For All Campaign Network (EFANET)
Kanifing, The Gambia
Start date: 30 August 2012
Length: 24 months
What does the role involve?
You’ll support EFANET to develop an effective education advocacy strategy with the capability to influence at local, national and international level. You’ll work with your local colleagues to develop an annual plan of advocacy activities and implement methods for monitoring and evaluation.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
With a degree in any subject, you’ll have a strong background in advocacy in the education sector. You’ll have experience of developing and implementing advocacy strategies and action plans, together with excellent communication skills.
And the rest...
You’ll be able to carry out your work in English. VSO will also provide you with introductory lessons in the local language, Wollof, to help you integrate into the community.
To apply for this role please put the following reference on your application form: G0271/0001/0003
From 01/02/2012
Gender and equality adviser
Burkina Faso
You’ll support staff in the Ministry to integrate and mainstream gender across the government.
Gender and equality adviser
Ministry for the Promotion of Women
Ougadougou, Burkina Faso
Start: 1st Feb 2012
Length: 24 months
What does the role involve?
In this senior role, you’ll support staff in the Ministry to integrate and mainstream gender across the government. You'll also develop an operating strategy and an evaluation system and support the development of an advocacy strategy. You’ll also coach people within the department and increase participation and decision making across the ministry.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
- A degree in international development, gender and equality or other social sciences
- Strong French language skills
- At least three years of working in gender, equality and advocacy
- Able to adapt to local society and customs
- Independence and resourcefulness
And the rest...
Burkina Faso is a francophone country, and the placement will be undertaken entirely in French.
To apply for this role please put the following reference on your application form: BF0309-1-2
Stories
FAQ
Can I apply for a specific job on the website?
Generally we recruit volunteers to a recruitment pool based on a general skill area, rather than for specific jobs.
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