Job Description: Advocacy Officer

(Monday 19 July 2004 Washington, DC, USA)

Position Title: Advocacy Officer

Location: Negotiable, but Europe-based preferred

Reporting Relationships:
Reports to: Executive Director
Supervises: Interns, volunteers

Contract Period: Annual and renewable

Salary: Salary is negotiable, depending on experience, with a competitive benefit package.

Starting date: November 15, 2004 - February 15, 2005

THIS IS A NEW POSITION.

POSITION AVAILABLE: ADVOCACY OFFICER

The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), launched in 1992, brings together over 1,400 human rights, humanitarian, children's, peace, disability, veterans, medical, humanitarian mine action, development, arms control, religious, environmental, and women's groups in over 90 countries who work locally, nationally, regionally, and internationally to ban antipersonnel (AP) landmines. Currently, an international "Coordinating Committee" of thirteen organizations guides the work of the ICBL. The ICBL was awarded the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize. In September 2003, after an extensive consultation process, the General Meeting (representatives of all national campaigns and organizations of the ICBL) endorsed the concept of the ICBL continuing to engage in the same types of activities as in the past, but in a gradually more decentralized fashion post-2004, with national campaigns, organizations and focal points playing an enhanced role where appropriate. The Coordinating Committee was entrusted to develop a streamlined staff structure, and is now seeking an individual to serve as Advocacy Officer in the next phase of the coalition's work. In the future, the Coordinating Committee will be replaced by a smaller Management Committee (providing daily oversight) and a larger Advisory Board (providing strategic direction).

DESCRIPTION: The Advocacy Officer will focus on the promotion of the Mine Ban Treaty norm, overseeing the development and implementation of a universalization strategy for non-states parties including non-state actors (NSAs). The Advocacy Officer will provide support to national campaigns and other ICBL members, including continuing to enhance their capacity to undertake more responsibility for regional and/or international activities. The Advocacy Officer will work closely with the ICBL Executive Director and other staff to support effective communication with the ICBL network, and be primarily responsible for media relations.

Duties will include, but will not be limited to:

Advocacy and media (time allocation approximately 45%)

• Working together with the ICBL Executive Director and in cooperation with the ICBL to achieve maximum effectiveness of advocacy and treaty universalization efforts to accomplish the goals of the campaign;
• Developing media strategies to support the ICBL treaty implementation plan and advocacy priorities,
• Working closely with the ICBL Executive Director and Management Committee to provide analysis and strategic input into formulation of overall universalization priorities and strategies;
• Helping to promote ICBL interests in the Mine Ban Treaty in other government fora, and liaising with relevant UN and international organizations;
• Representing ICBL at various forums, meetings, and conferences, in consultation and with the agreement of the Management Committee;
• Maintaining regular communication with the ICBL Executive Director, the Chairs of the ICBL Working Groups, the ICBL Management Committee, the ICBL Advisory Board, and the ICBL national campaigns and membership.
• Regularly review and ensure updated content in the main sections of the ICBL website

Campaign Development and Support (time allocation approximately 35%)

• Providing support to national campaigns and other ICBL members (messaging, materials etc), including continuing to enhance their capacity to undertake more responsibility for regional and/or international activities (i.e., enhancing capacity of ICBL members to represent ICBL at various regional meetings);
• Maintaining regular communication with the ICBL Executive Director and all relevant bodies of the ICBL.

Communications and Organizational Support (time allocation approximately 20%)

• Supporting the Executive Director in the preparation of and reporting on funding grants for advocacy work;
• Working very closely with Treaty Implementation Officer in carrying out universalization and implementation strategies;
• Maintaining overall administrative support including minutes, letters, written reports, including web reports, and financial statements to the ICBL Executive Director;

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must be creative, self-motivated, well organized, and able to function under pressure and handle numerous tasks simultaneously. The candidate must be willing to take initiative, work with minimum supervision, and work independently as well as function as a member of a team. The candidate must be willing to travel.

The candidate should have strong oral and written communication skills in English, demonstrated organizational skills and strong computer literacy, including working knowledge of Word, Excel, Access, Email, Internet and willingness to learn web posting, as well as international government relations experience. The candidate should have extensive experience with NGO coalitions and networks. Non-English language skills are desirable. Knowledge of the landmine issue and the ICBL is highly desirable. The candidate should have a University Degree plus at least three years of relevant experience.

Please send curriculum vitae, letter of application, writing sample, and list of references to:

International Campaign to Ban Landmines
110 Maryland Ave NE, Box 6
Washington, DC 20002
USA
Email: jobsearch(replace with at sign)icbl.org (emailed applications are preferred)

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL 15 SEPTEMBER 2004.