Advocacy Coordinator

EU-CORD (European Christian Organisations for Relief and Development) is a network of European relief and development agencies – inspired by Christian values – with a vision for a more just world, addressing poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. We are made up of 25 NGOs that work alongside 1000+ implementing partners worldwide. From our 2-person secretariat in Brussels we advocate towards European policy makers on issues concerning humanitarian action, sustainable development, peace-building and global justice. We develop partnerships and funding for our programmes, and we focus on capacity sharing and mutual learning from a faith-based perspective.

This year we will finalise and launch a new strategic direction. Our new advocacy approach focuses on amplifying advocacy and visibility of members and their partners for systemic change.

Are you looking for an opportunity to work on a more just world and do you have professional experience with lobby or advocacy? We are currently recruiting an ambitious and energetic:

Advocacy Coordinator

(Brussels, 28 – 38 hours per week)

Position

As our Advocacy Coordinator you are responsible for providing expert input to direct EU-CORD’s advocacy work, in alignment with our vision, strategy and values. You set the strategic direction for our advocacy work and you lobby for and represent on behalf of the network. You also build the advocacy capacity of our members and their partners. You work closely with the network’s Advocacy Steering Group and report directly to the CEO. Some travel may be required.

This means your key responsibilities are:

• Developing the advocacy programme with the Steering Group to ensure strategic direction, clear objectives & workplans;
• Liaising with members to develop a good knowledge of their advocacy approaches and link members with common advocacy interests;
• Being informed on the EU policy and legislative agenda and other advocacy opportunities relevant for members. Keeping members informed and helping them to engage;
• Helping members to develop and deliver their advocacy messaging;
• Ensuring that current advocacy tools are kept up to date and developing new advocacy tools as required;
• Organizing our bi-annual Advocacy Forum and other sessions, workshops and roundtables (Learning Space) to facilitate and promote advocacy related learning, knowledge sharing and capacity building;
• Supporting the CEO in other tasks necessary for the development of the network (strategic, technical, communication and member liaison).

Profile 

You are a strong networker and able to identify and leverage advocacy potential within members, link members and guide EU-level advocacy actions. You can demystify EU policy and legislative approaches for our members and their partners. This position also requires:

• A university level degree in a relevant field;
• Multi-year relevant experience;
• Proven advocacy & lobby experience;
• Preferably experience working in networks and coalitions;
• Understanding of EU decision-making processes;
• An awareness of relief and development issues;
• Flexibility, planning and organizing, creativity, taking initiative, (re) presentation skills and interpersonal skills;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English;
• Eligibility to work in the EU;
• Alignment with EU-CORD’s Christian values and purpose.

Our offer 

Working with EU-CORD offers you the opportunity to add your strength to humanitarian action, sustainable development, peace-building and global justice. Furthermore we offer:

• A position where you can bring a Christian perspective to drive and shape advocacy work;
• A supportive environment that encourages initiative and creativity;
• A pleasant and informal working atmosphere;
• Room for spiritual and personal growth;
• Flexible working hours and a good working-from-home policy;
• Accessible, professional office located in the Médecins Sans Frontières building in Ixelles, Brussels which includes access to a subsidized cafeteria and secure bicycle space;
• A permanent contract under Belgian law/jurisdiction;
• Local travel subsidy where legally allowed;
• A salary of €3,000 – €4,000 gross per month (full time employment, 38 hours), 13th month payment, holiday allowance, cheques repas, mobile phone allowance, laptop and second screen.

How to apply

Interested and qualified candidates are kindly invited to send their cover letter and resume at the latest on May 4th, 2021 to David Karelse at [email protected]. In your cover letter please reflect on your motivation for wanting to become part of EU-CORD. This includes a reflection on EU- CORD being a faith-based organization. For more information about the position or the recruitment process, please contact David at +31682568838.

The position is Brussels-based, and the candidate must already have the right to live and work in the European Union. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, it is likely that some, if not all working time, will be spent working from home.

EU-CORD operates with an equal opportunities policy and is committed to diversity in the workplace. Qualified women and men, people of all nationalities with eligibility to work in the EU, and cultural backgrounds, and candidates with disabilities are welcome to apply. Recruitment is subject to successful completion of all applicable background checks, including references and criminal record checks.