The White Helmets
ABOUT THE WHITE HELMETS
The Stichting White Helmets Foundation (SWHF) is an independent, international not for profit organisation that aims to provide aid to communities and persons recovering from conflicts and disasters; provide support and orientation to refugees and communities in hosting countries; and support justice and human rights efforts. The SWHF works in partnership with WH offices in Syria, Turkey and Canada. The Visual Documentation Team (VDT) is based in The Netherlands. The VDT project is a justice and accountability project that addresses relevant issues in Syria and aims at assisting transitional justice mechanisms and other research processes.
SCOPE OF WORK
The Senior Advocacy & Communications Officer (ACO) provides support to Stichting White Helmets Foundation team and the White Helmets Group in developing, designing, and implementing advocacy campaigns that carry messages in service of the organization’s objectives. They will work to increase public, political and financial support to the White Helmets.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
- Duty station: The Hague, Netherlands
- Line manager: Advocacy and Communications Manager
- Line management Responsibility: N/A
- Full-time/Part-time: Full-time
Tasks and activities:
- Develop and implement The White Helmets’ European advocacy strategies and strategy towards the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
- Track policy developments in target states (governments and parliaments) and international organisations
- Develop relationships with key stakeholders in target states and international organisations
- Join, develop, and maintain coalitions, working groups, and partnerships with a range of international professional associations, rescue worker networks and human rights organisations to advance The White Helmets international advocacy in support to justice, accountability, the protection of humanitarian workers worldwide
- Design communications strategies and work with the Media Department to develop key messages and visibility plans
- Build relationships with journalists to provide briefings, information and brief colleagues to speak to media
- Prepare for and attend advocacy and coordination meetings
- Help staff and volunteers prepare for advocacy meetings
- Provide ongoing mentoring and support to volunteers, staff and Board Members on advocacy, communications and campaigning
- Conduct desk research on a broad range of topics
- Under the direction of the Advocacy Manager, prepare, draft, edit, format, and distribute materials such as news releases, reports, letters, briefing papers, talking points, background research, parliamentary hearing questions, dispatches, web content, public letters and statements, op-eds and other publications
- Plan and execute conferences, roundtables, trainings, and other events
- Provide support to the White Helmets leadership in planning, coordinating, and follow up actions of advocacy trips and international engagements
- Assist in fundraising activities.
Required qualifications: Education, Experience and Competencies:
- University studies/higher education in International Relations, Social and Political Sciences, or related field. Masters preferred
- At least 5 years of proven professional experience in advocacy, policy, and research.
- Knowledge of or experience with European governments and parliaments, particularly in Germany, The Netherlands and/or France
- Knowledge of or experience with the European Union, including the European Parliament and the European Commission
- Knowledge of or experience with International Organisations, particularly UN bodies like the Human Rights Council or the OPCW
- Experience developing working relationships with with non-governmental organisations, research centres, researchers, think tanks, etc.
- Experience organising online and in person events
- Knowledge of the Syrian context
- Strong research and analytical skills, evidence of persuasive writing skills and/or policy writing preferred
- Strong interpersonal skills and independent judgment and discretion, as well as tact, diplomacy, and maturity in dealing with colleagues at all levels of the organization are required
- Self-motivation and the ability to prioritize with minimal supervision and work independently, under pressure
- Demonstrated knowledge of human rights, international relations, diplomacy, and/or policy
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English & Arabic are required
Knowledge of other languages e.g., Dutch, German, French, considered an asset
How to apply
The position is open to candidates with valid work and residence permits in the Netherlands and/or EU.
If you are interested in applying for this position, please fill out the application form on this Link and attach your CV and a covering letter in English explaining your background, suitability for the role and interest in what we do.
Closing deadline for application: 01 December 2022. Only shortlisted applicants who meet the required job qualifications will be contacted.
We will be reviewing applications as they come in. Immediate availability is a plus. The closing date for this post may be brought forward or extended depending on the volume and strength of applications.
Only shortlisted applicants who meet the required job qualifications will be contacted.