International Policy and Advocacy Manager

Background:

Founded in 2011, Kaleidoscope Trust works to uphold the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) people in countries around the world where they are discriminated against or marginalised due to their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression. We work with British and international institutions and partners to support the work of LGBT+ activists to bring about positive legislative, policy and social change for LGBT+ people everywhere. We do this principally through our research- and evidence-based advocacy and our high-impact programmes. A significant result of our work was our contribution to influencing former Prime Minister Theresa May to express her deep regret for the legacy of discrimination and violence that colonial-era legislation continues to inflict on people across the Commonwealth at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Kaleidoscope Trust helped found the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global LGBT+ Rights, in 2015. We are also a founding member and hosts the Secretariat of The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN), the first civil society network to sustainably advocate on behalf of LGBT+ people in the Commonwealth. Since its foundation in 2013, TCEN has actively participated in Commonwealth spaces to raise the profile and mainstream the discussion of LGBT+ people and their rights and concerns, and to engage with national-level decision-makers and policymakers on these topics. The network currently comprises over 65 member organisations representing 47 Commonwealth countries drawn from all regions, and was accredited to the Commonwealth in 2017.

The Role:

The International Policy and Advocacy Manager will help lead Kaleidoscope Trust’s international policy and public affairs activities, in line with the organisation’s strategic objectives and support, where appropriate, the wider work of the Policy and Public Affairs Team, including external relations, communications, campaigns and events. This role aims to:

• Raise Kaleidoscope Trust’s international profile and promote our policy agenda with key influencers and policymakers, helping to establish us as the go-to authoritative voice on issues affecting the LGBTI+ sector internationally.
• Build and maintain relationships with government officials, and the wider policy community across multiple countries, strategically deploying senior organisational staff or representing Kaleidoscope Trust in external meetings and civil society forums as directed.
• Draft insightful and compelling policy submissions, briefings and papers.
• Identify and share insights into relevant emerging international political and policy trends helping to anticipate issues, risks and opportunities.
• Fulfil the key responsibilities of the job role in a professional manner while adapting to often changing circumstances and re-prioritising accordingly.

The International Policy and Advocacy Manager will report to the Head of Policy and Public Affairs.

Key Responsibilities:

Advocacy and Influence

1. Implement the international workstream of Kaleidoscope Trust’s Policy and Public Affairs Strategy including objectives, external influencing activities and measurements of success.
2. Ensure that Kaleidoscope Trust is creating opportunities to influence international policy via all channels, including direct engagement, media facing statements and engagement with political events with the guidance and support of the Head of Policy and Public Affairs.
3. Work with colleagues throughout the organisation to ensure organisational messaging is consistent in all communications to internal and external stakeholders.
4. In collaboration with the Head of Policy and Public Affairs and the Communications Team, help support the drafting of ‘quick responses’ to media and public affairs issues that are underpinned by organisational policy positions and take into account the most up to date political and policy information.
5. Ensure Kaleidoscope Trust responds appropriately to relevant emergencies and/or emerging priorities, working with the Head of Policy and Public Affairs and other teams as relevant.
6. Build and maintain relationships with key media, policy and political stakeholders to increase Kaleidoscope Trust’s reputation, profile and influence across relevant international forums.
7. Work with other civil society organisations to find areas of synergy and contribute to join responses.

Monitoring and Policy Development

1. In coordination with the Policy and Public Affairs Manager, monitor international policy developments across all relevant policy areas to ensure the organisation is informed of priority issues and advised on suitable courses of action.
2. Report and evaluate the Kaleidoscope Trust’s international policy and public affairs achievements in accordance with the organisation’s impact and stakeholder engagement framework.
3. Develop evidence-based policy responses to consultations, campaigns, and government inquiries that aim to shape policy outcomes for the benefit of Kaleidoscope Trust.
4. Ensure that committed projects are delivered on time and on budget in line with suitable impact monitoring where needed.
5. In collaboration with the Head of Policy and Public Affairs and the Communications Team, provide briefing and horizon scanning to help support the executive leadership ahead of speaking opportunities and media interviews.

Events, Campaigns and Thought Leadership

1. Implement policy influencing campaigns that will help achieve Kaleidoscope Trust’s policy and advocacy objectives – both by working with the wider team and in some cases self-managing smaller time constrained projects.
2. Forge strong working relationships with other organisations whose campaigning priorities align, and work with them to push for policy change.
3. Author blogs and editorial think pieces, for the Kaleidoscope Trust’s website and external publications, based on campaigning areas as and when needed.
4. With the support of the wider Policy and Public Affairs Team, organise policy roundtables and public events involving policy makers and decision makers at the international level.

General

1. Contribute to upholding a positive, supportive and productive culture and working environment within the team and across the organisation.
2. Take an inclusive and human-centred approach to designing all content aimed at external audiences while supporting the wider team and organisation embed this approach in their respective work.
3. Work closely with agencies, consultants, freelancers, and external partners, where appropriate, to ensure high-quality output and value for money.
4. Undertake any other duties which reasonably fall within the purpose of the role.
5. Willingness to travel, within reasonable expectations, to attend external conferences, events, and meetings.

Person Specification:

We are looking for a candidate with relevant experience who can demonstrate the following:

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable experience in a mid-level policy, advocacy or public affairs role.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience of international policy-making process, specifically through UN and Commonwealth structures, including successfully shaping policy outcomes.
• Evidence of being involved in policy campaigns that have effected change in policy or attitude of the target audience.
• Knowledge of policy issues relevant to the human rights or LGBTI+ sector.
• Ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including senior civil servants and politicians through a broad range of political, cultural and economic contexts.
• Ability to react swiftly to events in a fast-paced media and political environment.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and deliver to deadlines.
• Committed to safeguarding principles, and willing to put the welfare of LGBTI+ people at the forefront of their work.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience of having provided policy and public affairs functions in high intensity environments.
• Experience of collaborative or partnership working with external agencies and individuals.
• Demonstrable ability to write for a range of audiences.

Terms and Conditions:

• This role is full on a fixed-term basis until 1 September 2023 (with high likelihood of extension).
• The salary is £41,000 p.a. plus pension contributions.
• The post-holder is entitled to standard annual leave of 25 days plus bank holidays.
• The post-holder will be managed by Kaleidoscope Trust’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs.
• The post-holder will be based out of Kaleidoscope Trust’s office in Bethnal Green, London.
• Standard core hours of work are 9:00am – 5:30pm GMT/BST with possible requirement to work very occasionally at evenings and weekends (which will accrue Time Off In Lieu).
• The post-holder must possess the right to live and work in the United Kingdom for the period of the contract.
• Start date: Immediate.

How to apply:

Kaleidoscope Trust is committed to equality and diversity and we particularly encourage applications from all sections of the LGBT+ community and Black and minority ethnic communities.

Please send your CV and a two-page maximum covering letter explaining:

(i) your interest in joining Kaleidoscope Trust, and

(ii) your relevant experience as per the skills and competencies outlined above.

If you have any queries relating to your application, please email [email protected], titling your communication: “Vacancy: International Policy and Advocacy Manager”.

Closing date: Thursday 18th August 2022 at 09:00 (London time)

Interviews: viaZoom, week commencing 22nd August 2022

Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and this vacancy may close before the specified deadline.