Advocacy Officer

Work with us to promote civilian rights, including through implementing projects to strengthen military accountability and improve the scope for reparations where civilian rights have been violated, including in relation to UK military operations (main focus), Ukraine/Russia and the Middle East.

Responsibilities:

1. Policy promotion

– to coordinate the production of policy reports and briefs related to military accountability, protection of civilians and promotion of reparations, including management of expert authors/researchers, submission of freedom of information requests, editing of drafts, liaison with designers and proof-reading.

– to coordinate the holding of expert seminars involving legal experts, officials, academics and the policy and humanitarian community, including drafting agendas and preparing seminar materials, invitation of speakers and participants, coordination of logistics with partner organisations, and preparation of seminar reports.

– to liaise with relevant UK officials concerned with civilian protection and military accountability, including in the Ministry of Defence, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the UK’s armed services, including briefing officials and drafting submissions to government consultations.

– to liaise with MPs and Peers, including members of relevant parliamentary Committees, to promote constructive parliamentary debate on relevant issues, including suggesting parliamentary questions, briefing for debates, drafting amendments, etc.

2. Communications

– to help coordinate one or more social media accounts for Ceasefire.

– to coordinate the production of short public awareness videos for use on social media channels.

– to liaise with the press and broadcast media, including preparation of media briefs and releases, briefing of journalists, coordination of contact lists and dealing with media inquiries.

– to prepare communications on programme outputs and achievements for donors, supporters and partners.

3. Programme implementation

– to maintain and develop relationships with partner NGOs, including in UK and Ukraine, supporting and facilitating their work

– to coordinate and/or support advocacy networks and advocacy activities in support of civilian rights

– to handle all aspects of programme coordination and administration, including preparing plans and schedules, managing programme budgets, and preparing narrative and financial reports on programme implementation.

4. Programme development

– to identify opportunities for further policy and programme development, including relevant partnerships.

– to undertake and write up research to support future programme development and fundraising.

5. To undertake any other tasks as may from time to time be requested by your line manager.

6. To maintain high standards of personal and organisational integrity, including confidentiality, and commitment to the safety and security of Ceasefire’s partner organisations.

Occasional foreign travel may be required.

Salary/hours: GBP £32,000 pa (full-time) plus pension contribution

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Education:

First degree in a relevant subject, such as law, politics/sociology, international relations or strategic studies.

Essential: Demonstrated knowledge of international humanitarian law (law of armed conflict)

Desirable: Knowledge of international human rights law.

Experience:

Essential: Two years of professional experience in advocacy work either related to UK policy and practice at the national or international level, and / or related to military accountability and civilian protection in armed conflict.

Desirable: Professional experience working in a humanitarian or military environment.

Skills:

Policy and advocacy: Excellent policy analysis and advocacy skills, including legal accuracy, and ability to draft letters, briefs and submissions to high standard.

Communications: a) Excellent professional media skills, including understanding of mainstream media, and social media (Twitter), with ability to build and sustain constituencies.

b) Very high level of professional presentation, both in writing and in person. Ability to interact with senior individuals from a wide range of professional and international backgrounds, including government and military, and inspire confidence.

Organisation: Excellent organisational and coordination skills, including planning, budgeting, evaluation and reporting, event organisation, computer skills, problem-solving. High level of accuracy.

Languages: Essential: English to first language standard. Desirable: Proficiency in Ukrainian, Russian or Arabic.

Motivation and status:

Commitment to human rights and equality, ability to work for an impartial and neutral organisation, willingness to be self-servicing and to work with minimum supervision.

Ability to work in the UK and to travel as required. November 2023

This post is supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and the Open Society Foundations.