Interim Head of Strategy and Impact

Region: Global

Office: You can be based anywhere, but you must be able to make several visits to the Netherlands during the contract period.

Hours: 32-36 hours per week

Application deadline: November 6, 2022

Hivos works in 40 countries worldwide, amplifying citizen movements for social and environmental justice and helping them to build alternative solutions to deep-seated problems. Our strategy aims for transformative impact in three areas where critical social and political transitions are underway: Climate Justice; Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; and Civic Rights in a Digital Age.

Aim of job and responsibilities

At the start of 2021 Hivos established a Strategy and Impact unit to translate our overarching global strategy into concrete, measurable advocacy and program impacts. As the current head of the unit is moving on, we are now seeking an experienced social justice strategist to lead this unit and help reposition Hivos for greater external profile and influence. The assignment has two main deliverables:

• Working with Impact Leads, business development leads, regional directors and the communications team to develop detailed global and regional advocacy and engagement plans for 2023. These plans will advance our larger programmatic change goals and complement our donor engagement strategies.
  • Outputs:
    • 2023 advocacy plan for each region and for relevant global forums/institutions, integrating various dimensions such as communications, research, lobbying, donor engagement etc.
    • Forward planning calendar of all significant national, regional and global moments that provide either proactive or reactive influencing and media opportunities for Hivos (e.g. national elections).
    • Proposal(s) for one or more future flagship advocacy and communications “products” (reports, campaigns, mini-documentaries, events etc.) that could build a coherent narrative synthesizing evidence and stories across a number of Hivos projects and partners, and put Hivos on the radar screen of key decision-makers, media and/or donors. These would be early concepts for one or more initiatives that could be developed into fully fledged externally funded projects starting late 2023/2024.
• Assessing and making recommendations on the future mandate, staffing and structure of the Strategy and Impact unit to best serve the needs of internal stakeholders and maximize our external impact.
  • Outputs:
    • • Prepare a brief report to the global Management Team on the results of consultations with internal and external stakeholders
        – Based on consultation findings, develop concrete recommendations on the mandate, structure and staffing of the S&I function
        – Suggest changes to the role profile and person specification for the S&I head, and assist with the early stage of the recruitment of a permanent head

In addition, you will provide day-to-day line management support and direction to the S&I team of 6 people (comprising thematic Impact Leads and M&E specialists), and participate in meetings of Hivos global senior management team.

The position is available immediately as a short-term contract or consultancy for 4 to 6 months, for 4 to 5 days per week, depending on the candidate’s circumstances. It can be based anywhere, but you must be able to make several visits to the Netherlands during the contract period, as this is where S&I team members, as well as other key internal stakeholders, are based.

Your profile

The right candidate for this demanding but exciting assignment will have:

• Extensive experience of designing and coordinating effective international/multi-country advocacy and program strategies rooted in community-level experience and voices.
• Experience of working closely with communications and media professionals to ensure the right messages reach the right audiences at the right time.
• Ability to apply external intelligence and trends to Hivos work, generating timely, actionable tactics and demands in response to complex and fast-changing external environments.
• Knowledge and networks that can help Hivos influence key regional and/or global institutions and actors
• Experience of working in and with coalitions and networks, particularly in Global South contexts, and a track record of forging respectful and productive alliances with partners, foregrounding their agency and leadership.
• Demonstrated talent for people management, team building and internal stakeholder management in diverse multicultural settings. At least three years experience managing a team of 5+ people who are experts in their areas.
• Sufficient senior management experience in similar organizations to be able to advise on how to align people and resources internally in order to maximize external impact and influence.
• Understanding of monitoring, evaluation and learning techniques. Experience in designing effective research and evidence for influencing will be a bonus.