Gulf External Engagement Manager At Save the Children

TITLE: Gulf External Engagement Manager

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns

LOCATION: Dubai, UAE with up to 25% international travel. Local terms and conditions will apply.

CONTRACT LENGTH: 12 months

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Gulf Initiative is Save the Children’s multi-member partnership and advocacy initiative to advance our global strategy to ensure children survive, thrive and their rights are protected in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The External Engagement Manager will play a central role in executing our ambitious advocacy strategy and external engagement plans to ensure children play a meaningful role in the climate processes, including the lead up to, during, and implementation of COP28 outcomes, with the support and recognition of Save the Children and partners, as a technical expert on children’s participation.

The Manager will need to stay abreast of developments particularly in the Gulf States, that impact on Save the Children’s work, including on political and policy issues affecting children’s rights, while putting children’s voice to the force. The post holder will maintain a close and regular working relationship with the Gulf Initiative Director and team, the MENAEE Regional Director and team, and with other senior stakeholders across advocacy, policy, campaigns, communications, media, fundraising, programmes, partnerships and other relevant functions.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: MENAEE Regional Advocacy & Resource Mobilization Director with a dotted line to the Gulf Initiative Director

Staff reporting to this post: n/a

Key internal relationships: Gulf Initiative Director and the rest of the Gulf initiative team, MENAEE Regional Director rest of Regional Advocacy & Campaigns, Resource Mobilization Team; Global Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns Director and Team; Global Resource Mobilisation, Communications and Engagement Director and Team; Global Media Unit; Humanitarian Team; Programme Quality and Impact Team; Save the Children member advocacy and account management staff

Budget Responsibilities: n/a

Role Dimensions: This is a demanding and fast-moving role in a complex international federated organisation that works in over100 countries. Save the Children’s external engagement spans the UN and other international and regional institutions, national governments, the private sector, and engagement with civil society. The role holder will need to have a strong understanding of strategic external engagement opportunities particularly in the Gulf and the MENA region, manage diverse internal and external relationships and to support increasing the profile and brand of Save the Children in the Gulf by establishing an extensive network of contacts. This will require a strong grasp of development, humanitarian, human rights and political issues that affect children; and an ability to work with colleagues across functional and geographical boundaries; to distil information from a wide range of sources; and to manage a heavy workload and competing priorities while meeting deadlines.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• In collaboration with the Regional Advocacy Manager and Gulf team co-ordinate the external engagement strategy for the Gulf Initiative
• Develop & co-ordinate Save the Children’s advocacy strategy in Gulf States
• Support engagement with broader regional entities in MENA (League of Arab States, Organisation of Islamic Corporation, Gulf Corporation Council etc.)
• Secure high-level external engagement and representation opportunities including at events, panels and partnership opportunities
• Develop policy reports, advocacy products, briefs, opinion pieces and speeches in co-ordination with the wider organisation, in order to ensure senior representatives of the Save the Children are well briefed and are able to play an effective role and advocate for the organisation.
• In close collaboration with relevant SCI Departments and key account managers build a good understanding of strategic external engagement opportunities and keep a watching brief on key trends, so that the Gulf Initiative is able to seize strategic influencing opportunities
• Collaborate on key moments related to external relations closely managing coordination of the itinerary to maximise impact and ensure the optimal use of senior representative’s time.
• Lead key partnerships and moments on behalf of the Gulf Initiative in a way that benefits the whole organisation, including managing senior level participation in key events.
• Collaborate with with the Communications team on providing input into the Gulf initiatives internal brand and narrative to global staff
• Support the Campaigns team in rolling out and engaging on Save the Children’s global campaign ‘Generation Hope’
• Ensure their social media profile aligns with the external engagement ambition

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice) – see further on SCI website.

Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity, Integrity

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Education to master’ level, with a qualification in international development, international relations, economics, politics, law, or a related field is desirable. Education to Bachelor’s degree level is essential
• Proven ability to speak and write clearly and persuasively, to tailor messages to different audiences, and to distil large amounts of written information
• Experience of creating networks and an ability to manage diverse professional relationships, thereby securing significant new opportunities for the organisation
• Proven track record of policy analysis, and knowledge and understanding of public and political trends and debates
• Experience of successfully operating in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with others
• Track record of building a social media presence
• Experience of managing complex itineraries and logistical arrangements
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, the definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in
• Demonstrated understanding of development, human rights, and humanitarian issues
• Knowledge and understanding of the MENA region, particularly the Gulf, the UN and the wider international system
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Arabic
• Commitment to Save the Children’s values
• Experience of, and willingness to travel (up to 25%), sometimes at short notice, and to work irregular hours

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.