Theirworld

Advocacy Manager

Duration: 12-month contract for London based staff position; potential option for 12-month consultancy contract for candidates not seeking a staff position

Job Overview

The Advocacy Manager will be responsible for coordinating time-bound collective advocacy efforts to advance the Act For Early Years campaign. They will oversee the development and execution of advocacy strategies aligned with the vision, goals, and objectives outlined in the campaign’s roadmap. Working day-to-day with the campaign’s Senior Advisor, the manager will work closely with the campaign’s High-Level Advisory Group, composed of leading early childhood development (ECD) organizations and global networks, and will support thematic leads across various advocacy tracks.
These tracks will focus on key areas such as the processes underpinning the G20, international financing, UN General Assembly and the 2nd World Summit for Social Development and across a number of thematic areas including health, childcare, early childhood education, nutrition, emergencies, and disability rights.
The Advocacy Manager will also engage with key stakeholders, including governments, donors, youth, businesses, influencers, and the media, to mobilize support for the campaign’s catalytic goals.

Key Responsibilities

Advocacy Coordination: Oversee the coordination of time-bound advocacy efforts across multiple thematic tracks, ensuring alignment with the Act For Early Years roadmap. Support thematic leads from Theirworld and partner organizations, as well as members of the High-Level Advisory Group.

Campaign Execution:

Drive forward advocacy strategies and actions related to the campaign’s three catalytic goals:

  • Universal access to quality primary health care for young children and their families.
  • Universal access to inclusive preschool education.
  • Universal support for families, including affordable childcare and parental support.

Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with governments, international organizations, donors, businesses, and philanthropic partners to secure at least $1 billion in new funding commitments for early childhood development in support of the goals.

Advocacy Tracks Management: Manage advocacy efforts targeting international decision-making processes events and milestones. Ensure that advocacy efforts align with the campaign’s calls to action, mobilizing political leaders, youth champions, First Ladies, and media influencers.

International Advocacy Processes: Ensure diverse campaign representation in key international platforms, including the UN General Assembly, global financing summits, and other international processes, advocating for increased prioritization of early childhood development on the global agenda.

Event Coordination: Plan and execute high-profile advocacy events working to build momentum and secure investment commitments.

Partnerships and Collaboration: Build strong relationships with campaign partners, donors, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders to create a unified voice for early years advocacy.

Reporting and Evaluation: Regularly report on advocacy outcomes, tracking progress against goals, milestones, and deliverables set forth in the campaign’s roadmap.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Experience: At least 5 years of experience managing complex international advocacy strategies, movements, or coalitions.
  • Advocacy Expertise: Proven experience in early childhood, health, education, or human rights advocacy. Knowledge of UN processes, G20, and global development goals is essential.
  • Stakeholder Management: Strong ability to manage relationships with diverse stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, donors, and civil society partners.
  • Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, large-scale advocacy projects and deliver work according to tight deadlines.
  • Strategic Thinking: Strong understanding of global policy advocacy, financing for development, and strategies to influence decision-makers at national, regional, and international levels.
  • Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues into compelling advocacy messages.
  • Team Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams, as well as independently manage workload and deliverables.
  • Contacts: A well-established network of contacts within international advocacy organizations, governments, and donor communities.
  • Flexibility: Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and contexts, and work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Preferred Skills

  • Understanding of financing mechanisms.
  • Familiarity with thematic areas such as disability rights, nutrition, early childhood development and humanitarian crises.
  • Fluency in additional languages beyond English.

Why Join Us?

The Act For Early Years campaign is at the forefront of global advocacy efforts to transform the lives of young children through impactful investment and policy change. As Campaign Coordinator, you will play a crucial role in supporting this global movement, working with world-class experts and stakeholders to drive meaningful change for early childhood development. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-profile campaign with far-reaching impact.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter to [email protected] with ‘Campaign Coordinator’ in the subject line of your email.

Open only to applicants with the right to work in the UK will be considered.

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make any reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend any interview, please let us know.