Advocacy Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean (Guatemala or Mexico) At Girls Not Brides

INTRODUCTION TO GIRLS NOT BRIDES

Girls Not Brides is the only global organisation uniquely focused on creating and sustaining a worldwide movement to end child marriage and ensuring that this movement leads to tangible change for the girls at risk or affected by the practice. We are a network of over 1,600 civil society organisations in over 100 countries working in partnership to end child marriage.

Our vision is a world without child marriage where girls and women enjoy equal status with boys and men and are able to achieve their full potential in all aspects of their lives. Our vision challenges deeply embedded social norms that harm the lives of girls, women, and their communities.

INTRODUCTION TO THE ROLE

Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage is seeking an Advocacy Officer to join its team in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The successful individual will report to the Head of LAC and will work closely with the global team to ensure regional work is represented across our global channels.

Based in the region of LAC, the Advocacy Officer will be responsible for leading the organisation’s tracking and analysis of regional and national policy developments and for delivering compelling regional advocacy and campaigns agenda for Girls Not Brides, to help realise our vision and mission. They will work with the regional membership organizations to create a regional advocacy strategy focused on youth participation, as well as to enhance the collaboration with key movements in the region to position and accelerate action to address child early and forced marriage and unions (CEFMU). The Officer will also work with members to develop policy advise and analysis, the officer will also contribute to the broader strategic, programmatic, advocacy and campaigning work of the Secretariat and help achieve its overall objectives.

We are looking for a passionate and talented professional, who is good at networking and has demonstrable experience of developing and implementing advocacy strategies and campaigns, ideally with previous work experience related to girls, adolescents, and women’s rights, employing a feminist approach.

Job location:

Guatemala or Mexico (ideally in Mexico City but other locations in the country are also possible). The successful candidate must have the right to work in the respective country as well as willing to attend frequent team meetings in Mexico City.

Accountable to:

Head of Latin America and the Caribbean Engagement

Salary range:

Market competitive and depending on experience

Contract:

2-year fixed term full-time contract. The successful candidate will work from home for much of the time, with IT and communication equipment provided by Girls Not Brides. They must have the right to work in their country of residence.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Identify and support regional policy developments and advocacy opportunities in LAC

• In close collaboration with the Regional Communications Officer, the Head of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and the Global Advocacy team, co-develop and implement the advocacy and campaigning strategy and workplan in the region, and monitor progress against agreed milestones and targets.
• Monitor, analyse and document policy developments and opportunities relating to child, early and forced marriage and unions in selected focus countries, identifying lessons learned and drivers of progress.
• Develop and disseminate policy analyses/briefs, advocacy alerts, position, and briefing papers to support advocacy objectives in the region regarding CEFMU.
• Formulate strategic advocacy plans, both for secretariat and with members, focusing on youth participation.
• Inform Girls Not Brides members and partners of developments and opportunities for influence.
• Collaborate with the regional and global team on leading research and analysis to support response to advocacy and influencing opportunities.
• Contribute to translate learning and knowledge into impactful influencing initiatives to end CEFMU at regional and national level.
• Liaise with the regional Communications team to devise and amplify members messages to enhance our campaign and advocacy goals.

Monitor, track and respond to opportunities to engage with the regional movement, its related bodies, and other regional processes

• Monitor and analyse regional and international debates and processes to identify key opportunities to position CEFMU.
• Support the Head of LAC in developing and implementing advocacy strategies and initiatives aiming at maintaining CEFMU on the agenda of relevant regional processes and institutions.
• Issue policy briefs, background notes and other advocacy materials to position CEFMU in key regional spaces.
• Brief the Head of LAC and other relevant staff on meetings, speaking events and other regional outreach.
• Identify opportunities to promote state accountability at the regional and national level.
• Attend relevant events, meetings, and conferences; develop presentations and organise events as necessary and appropriate.

Work with members, National Partnerships, coalitions and partners in the region to support national and regional advocacy efforts

• Encourage and support National Partnerships and members to develop and deploy their advocacy skills through the monitoring, analysis, influencing and response to relevant legislative and policy opportunities at the global, regional and national level.
• Involve the membership, national partnerships, and coalitions to devise plans for international days and other big moments and develop key messages with the support of the Regional Communications Officer to galvanise the regional movement.
• Support National Partnerships, coalitions and members in undertaking coordinated advocacy around national and regional moments and opportunities.
• Support members, National Partnerships, and coalitions on effective integration of existing learning and evidence into their influencing initiatives.
• Assist members in understanding how to use intergovernmental regional processes and commitments to support government action on child marriage.
• Support collective learning and knowledge sharing amongst members and National Partnerships in regional advocacy and accountability.

Support member and partners outreach and engagement in the region

• Support the expansion and strengthening of Girls Not Brides’ membership in the region.
• With the Head of LAC, contribute to develop and maintain strong partnerships with key stakeholders and movements (e.g. feminist, youth, indigenous movement) at a national, sub-regional, regional, and international level to enhance broader sector integration con CEFMU in the region.
• With the Regional Communications Officer, establish and strengthen the links between the advocacy strategy and the communications strategy to position CEFMU in the regional agenda through active and participatory campaigning.

Organisational Responsibilities

• Commit to the mission and vision of Girls Not Brides, putting these at the forefront of all planning, work and actions.
• Uphold the core values of Girls Not Brides in all areas of work and interactions with colleagues, members, partners and other stakeholders.
• Line-manage roles and consultants as necessary, delegating responsibilities and tasks as appropriate.
• Comply with Girls Not Brides policies and processes, with particular note for safeguarding, diversity and inclusion, the code of conduct and data protection.
• Prepare and deliver reports for the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, as necessary.
• Ensure that internal databases and monitoring information are kept fully up-to-date.
• Commit to ongoing personal development and learning.
• Fulfil any other reasonable requests for the advancement of Girls Not Brides.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential experience

• Significant professional experience in a similar level role in the not-for-profit sector, an international/intergovernmental organisation, a social movement or social enterprise.
• Proven knowledge of human rights-based and feminist approaches and experience of working with young people and adults at risk.
• Knowledge and experience of supporting and/or undertaking advocacy and activism, and a willingness and openness to developing skills in this area.
• Experience of working in or with non-governmental organisations, and in particular with coalitions or networks of organisations.
• Knowledge of UN structures and processes, including human rights mechanisms, as well as national development processes and planning.

Essential skills and knowledge

• A good understanding of civil society organisations and the regional context regarding gender equality in LAC.
• Strong policy analysis and research skills and knowledge of advocacy around gender and/or development issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Spanish.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver advocacy strategies.
• Ability to interpret and synthesise data and evidence from different sources.
• A good eye for accuracy and detail and potential implementation challenges.
• Ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure, prioritise and juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines, and to deliver time-sensitive high-quality work.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision to meet tight deadlines and juggle multiple priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an inquisitive and analytical mind.
• Outstanding written communication, creative thinker, and the ability to write for different audiences.
• Willingness to work in a collaborative team and with diverse stakeholders, including an ability to work in different cultural environments, and work sensitively with member organisations and young women from a wide range of backgrounds.

Essential values and attributes

• Strong commitment to the mission and values of Girls Not Brides and our vision in relation to addressing CEFMU and the empowerment of girls and women.
• Proactive and able to confidently take initiative and make appropriate decisions.
• Willingness to work flexibly and regularly travel internationally, as necessary.

Desirable

• Proficiency in English is highly desirable. Applicants within the LAC region who have proven experience on advocacy but are not as proficient in English are encouraged to apply.
• An understanding of CEFMU and of the key players in the women’s and children’s rights fields.
• Selected candidate must be willing to travel to Mexico City for frequent team meetings, previous notification by the Head of LAC.

Safeguarding

Girls Not Brides is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk with whom our staff and representatives work and interface. Any employment with Girls Not Brides may be subject to the satisfactory completion of a background check and a criminal records check which can include but is not limited to: an overseas police record check, a Disclosure and Barring Service Check (for those based in the UK) or an International Criminal Record Check (if applicable).