Communication Officer - Walking the Talk

Reports to:                     Program Manager

Scope:                             Europe

Program period:             August 2023 to June 2026, starting with a one-year contract

Location:                         Hivos Global Office, The Hague, the Netherlands

Hours:                             32 hours a week

Application deadline:    September 24, 2023

Hivos is hiring a communication officer for the Walking the Talk program. We’re looking for a person that is able to translate feminist values into inclusive, creative and convincing communication strategies and products, both in the Netherlands and at the overarching program level. In this program, you will closely work with three European consortium partners, as well as with feminist allies from the Global South and North.

Background

European countries contribute significantly to advancing gender equality worldwide. But there is increased pressure on Official Development Assistance (ODA), especially on funding for gender equality and feminist values. At the same time, when decisions are made about Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) or ODA for gender equality, (young) feminists and LGBTIQ+ persons from the Global South are not structurally engaged, even though these decisions directly affect their lives and work.

On the positive side, there is momentum to give gender equality, and more specifically, feminist approaches, a decisive boost. Various governments are now developing or implementing FFPs in recognition of the importance of feminist approaches to ODA.

About the program

To boost the momentum, the Walking the Talk consortium brings together four European organizations: Equipop (France), Restless Development (United Kingdom), the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy (Germany), and Hivos (the Netherlands, and lead of the consortium). Together we will utilize our extensive collective experience to embed gender equality in foreign policies, practices and ODA spending and to ensure that the perspectives and ideas of (young) feminists from the Global South are included in decisions about gender equality ODA and FFP. The program has just started and the program team is currently being set up.

Job context

As Walking the Talk communication officer, you ensure coherence, collaboration and coordination between the consortium members on communication and campaigning. As such, you work closely with the consortium members and build on input from Global South partners in the design and implement an overarching communication strategy.

At the same time, you are responsible for designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating communication and campaigning activities in the Netherlands on gender equality ODA and FFP. These activities will mainly target decisionmakers but can also focus on engaging the broader Dutch public on these issues.

You are committed to the values and principles defined by the program, as well as specific advocacy and lobbying guidelines.

You are part of the communication and advocacy working group and will work closely with other colleagues in the program and within Hivos. You report to Walking the Talk's program manager.

Responsibilities

Project implementation and accountability

• In line with Walking the Talk's overarching planning and monitoring plan, you design, implement, monitor and evaluate communication strategies, focusing on decision-makers and the wider public, and report back on these.
• You constantly coordinate with the Walking the Talk team, consortium-members and allies.
• You participate in and/or lead the projects' Advocacy & Communication working group.
• You work closely with Hivos' communication and advocacy teams, to ensure consistency and alignment in messaging and advocacy efforts.

Communication and external positioning

• You develop communication materials that motivate decision-makers in the Netherlands to actively support gender equality ODA and FFP. You make sure these materials are rooted in the priorities, ideas and needs of Global South feminist organizations and groups.
• You seize opportunities to communicate by making use of research-results as well as (news worthy) developments in the Dutch and international decision-making processes.
• You ensure visibility of _Walking the Talk_in relevant fora to positively influence the agenda and debate on gender equality in ODA and FFP. In doing so, the importance of creating space in such arenas for voices and ideas of Global South feminist actors is always on your radar.
• You additionally contribute to the development and implementation of the online strategy. You write texts for websites, social media accounts and develop or organize various forms of content (e.g. illustrations, videos, infographics).
• When executing your communication tasks, you ensure your work is in line with the priorities of Hivos.

Requirements

• A strong belief in and embodiment of Walking the Talk’s values and principles
• Solid, professional and up-to-date knowledge of and experience in communication, preferably for gender equality ODA and/or FFP.
• Able to design and roll-out effective, innovative and convincing communication activities.
• Excellent writing skills and experiences, creative and positive writing style.
• Strategic thinking and ability to create, identify and make use of communication opportunities, and link results and lessons to wider program outcomes
• Team-spirit and collaborative
• Excellent skills in external relationship management, and ability develop and maintain close collaboration between Global South and North actors
• Sense of humor and positive attitude
• Relevant degree or equivalent work experience in communication studies, international development, gender or feminist studies, political science, or another relevant field
• Full professional proficiency in English with excellent written and verbal skills; fluency in Dutch; if possible, proficiency in French or German
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly, mostly in Europe

What we offer

In this position you will work at Hivos’ Global Office in the city center of The Hague, where a part of the program team is located. Other team members are based in the UK, France, Germany, and Brussels. You will also be part of an international community of highly motivated and dedicated people working to advance gender equality, diversity and inclusion in a wide variety of contexts.

We offer a contract for 32 hours per week based on Hivos Global Office labor conditions. The gross salary ranges from €3.856 to € 5.131 per month based on a 36-hour work week.

We provide a laptop and travel expenses according to our commuting policies, as well as participation in our pension fund. Hivos additionally works according to a 50/50 schedule, which means you may work from home during half of your contract hours.

Want to apply?

Please submit a cover letter and CV by September 24, 2023 at the latest, by clicking on the ‘Apply here’ button. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Candidates are highly encouraged to provide a clear track record in their CV and description in cover letter that matches the requirements of the position elaborated above.