Humanitarian Adviser

About Bond and the role​

Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. We unite and support a diverse network of over 400 civil society organisations to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice. We strengthen and champion the sector to make international development more efficient and effective. We work to influence governments and policy-makers, develop the skills of people in the sector, share expertise, and build organisational capacity and partnerships. We are seeking an experienced policy and advocacy professional to play a critical role in working with Bond members to maintain and improve the quality and effectiveness of UK’s response to humanitarian crises. In this role you will help shape the sector’s efforts to influence humanitarian policy and response, at a time of proliferating crises and significant change in the UK’s global role. ​

The ideal person for this role will be dynamic and proactive. You will be a confident networker, facilitator and convener, with experience of developing impactful policy messaging and advocacy outputs, who can bring people together to deliver change. You are able to work independently, take initiative and make appropriate decisions. You will bring a strong knowledge of humanitarian policy debates and proven experience of engaging with the UK government and policy processes. Sound political awareness and understanding of the role of media and public campaigning in influencing policies will enable you to create real impact in this role.

​

To note, this is a fixed term position until 31st March 2023 and 50% part-time (17.5 hours) with a possibility of an extension for an additional 9 months (grant dependant).

​​

Main purpose of the job

To work with diverse stakeholders to influence UK government stakeholders to take principled humanitarian action in line with international humanitarian law.

Main responsibilities

• ​Develop and implement effective and strategic policy messaging that protects and promotes principled humanitarian action and respect for international humanitarian law in collaboration with Policy & Advocacy Manager and Bond members.
• ​Contribute to the delivery of advocacy outputs, such as briefings for parliamentarians, briefings, consultation submissions and joint letters.
• ​Engage with FCDO teams to organise regular meetings at operational and director level, agreeing dates and agendas, ensuring interested members are informed, invited and represented at appropriate levels, supporting members to coordinate messaging ahead of meetings and providing a record.
• ​Convene Bond’s humanitarian working group and crisis-specific sub-groups as required, working with co-chairs and steering group to organise regular meetings, recruit and maintain relations with existing and potential members, support members to reach agreement on joint policy positions and represent Bond at external meetings.
• ​Work with the Policy and Advocacy Manager – Aid Effectiveness on wider advocacy efforts related to the use of UK ODA
• ​Contribute to grant and project management through monitoring and reporting advocacy outputs and outcomes using Salesforce, and support wider efforts across the Policy, Advocacy and Research Team to improve our impact through participating in evaluation and learning activities.​

Person specification​

We are seeking an experienced policy and advocacy professional with:​

Essential

• ​​Track record in delivering impactful, evidence-based policy messaging and advocacy outputs as part of broader advocacy strategies in international development context
• Knowledge of key humanitarian policy issues and debates
• ​Practical experience of working for or with civil society organisations to deliver change
• Proven track record of convening diverse stakeholders and ability to work as part of a team
• Proven experience of working independently, managing competing deadlines and demands effectively.
• Experience in direct engagement with government departments and officials and understanding of how to influence decision-making processes in the UK.
• Capacity to thrive in a fast-paced external policy and political environment, ability to spot and take opportunities, act on initiative and undertake quick policy work.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including ability to work with a diverse range of actors at different levels

Desirable

• ​Experience of membership-based organisations such as networks and coalitions, ideally within the charity/NGO sector
• **​**Understanding of gender and women’s rights and impact on policy analysis.
• ​Experience of working in humanitarian response ​
• ​Experience of working with the media

Other personal attributes

• **​**Commitment to the values and objectives of Bond and its members
• ​Must have the right to live and work in the UK ​​

Benefits​

Bond offers a competitive salary and benefits package including:

• ​Interest free season ticket loan
• ​27 days leave as standard for all employees (pro rata). Additional staff privilege days, normally the period between Christmas and New Year
• ​7% pension contributions (staff pay 3.5%)
• ​Flexible working hours
• Perk Box Membership​

Bond and equal opportunities

Bond recognizes the positive values of diversity and works to advance equity and challenge discrimination. We encourage and welcome applicants from people of all backgrounds. In order to assess and ensure the continued effectiveness of Bond’s Equal Opportunities Policy, all applicants are asked to complete a short questionnaire when applying. You are not obliged to answer the questions but the more information you supply the more effectively we can monitor our equal opportunity practices. Completion of all questions is voluntary and failure to answer any question(s) will not affect your application in any way.​​

The information you supply will be treated in confidence and will not be seen by any member of the selection panel responsible for the appointment. The questionnaire will be detached from your CV and cover letter, stored anonymously and used purely to provide statistics for monitoring purposes.