Project Officer / Engagement Officer - Walking the Talk

Region:                              Europe

Office:                               The Hague, Netherlands

Hours:                               36 per week

Starting date:                   ASAP

Application deadline:      Position stays open until filled; applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Hivos is hiring a JPO-EE for the Walking the Talk program. We seek an enthusiastic, well-organized and detailed-oriented person that will help us engage and organize with our ecosystem and organize small online events as well as a major in-person conference for 200 persons with the title Financing for Feminist Futures to be held in Spain in spring 2025.

About the program

European countries contribute significantly to advancing gender equality worldwide. But there is increased pressure on Official Development Aid (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 Majority World are not structurally engaged, even though these decisions directly affect their lives and work. On the positive side, there is some momentum to give gender equality, and more specifically, feminist approaches, a boost. Various governments have been developing or implementing FFPs in recognition of the importance of feminist approaches to ODA.

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 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 Majority World are included in decisions about gender equality ODA and FFP. The three-year program started in August 2023 and has a total budget of USD 7 million.

About the role

This role will work closely with the Walking the Talk Coordination Team based at Hivos and a consortium-wide Conference Task Force to support the team in the administration, structuring and facilitation of its engagement with key stakeholders and the program’s ecosystem. The JPO-EE is expected to organize a series of smaller on- and offline events but especially a major in-person conference for 200 persons with the title Financing for Feminist Futures to be held in Spain in Spring 2025. The three-day conference is our flagship advocacy and engagement event and provides input in our advocacy towards the Financing for Development conference, G7/G20 summits and beyond. The high-level and intergovernmental Financing for Development conference will be organized in Spain from 30th of June to 3rd of July 2025. It is expected that the role will lead on the process, timeline as well as logistics to organize the conference.

Before and after the conference – until the completion of the project – the JPO-EE is expected to facilitate smooth interaction and engagement between the project and its ecosystem through administrative, substantive and logistical support.

Responsibilities

You will be working closely with the Walking the Talking Coordination Team and the Conference Task force to organize smaller online events and the big in-person conference in Spain and bringing them to a successful finish. In more detail you will do the following:

1. Logistics

• Secure an appropriate and creative conference venue and accommodation – which need to be accessible.
• Lead on procuring local conference services, such as interpreters, entertainment/artists, sound, videographers, catering, transport, note-takers, etc.
• Lead on booking all travel for the sponsored conference participants, using the Hivos travel service.
• Lead on invitation letters for the selected conference participants.
• Lead on visa support for those participants from the Majority world, including but not limited to invitation letters, insurances, etc.
• Ensure that all logistics run smoothly before, during and after the conference and respond effectively to last minute changes or challenges.

2. Project facilitation

• Develop a detailed timeline, project plan and budget in line with the conference objectives.
• Organize regular meetings with the Conference Task Force to ensure that the project plan is realized as planned and adjust as needed.
• Collaborate with the Walking the Talk Finance Officer to ensure budget and procurement are in line with Hivos’ processes and procedures.
• Lead on a post-conference report and expenditure statement for reconciliation and learning purposes.
• Design and implement relevant on- and offline smaller events to follow up on conference outcomes.
• Develop, maintain and support structures which facilitate effective and efficient engagement with various stakeholder groups in the project.

Essential Skills and Experience

• At least 3 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, project management and/or event organization.
• Positive mind-set with a 'can-do' attitude.
• Proactive approach and excellent social skills – needed to work with a wide variety of teams and profiles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Spanish.
• Proficiency in SharePoint and Microsoft Office applications in context of event planning and management.
• A strong belief in and embodiment of Walking the Talk’s values and principles.
• Team-spirit and collaborative.
• Excellent skills in external relationship management.
• Sense of humor and positive attitude.
• Imagination and creativity for solving challenging problems.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly, mostly in Spain.

Education

Relevant degree, preferably in the field of event management, communications, marketing or another relevant discipline.

What we offer

In this position you will work at the office in The Hague. Other team members are based in the UK, France, Germany, and The Hague. 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.

Want to apply?

Please submit a cover letter (maximum 1 page) and CV (maximum 2 pages) by Thursday March 13th 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.

If you are selected for the final stage of the selection process, please note that professional references and a certificate of conduct (VOG) will be requested due to our Safeguarding Policy. Exceptions will only be made, if there is a local legislation prohibition or when the candidate is unable to obtain such a certificate due to activities on LGTBIQ+ and Human Rights. We may check social media – unless applicants state they do not wish us to do so. Accuracy of information in the curriculum vitae will also be checked.

Hivos is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diverse candidates - such as women and LGBTQIA+ people, persons with disabilities, and persons from negatively racialized groups - to apply.

Hivos reserves the right to close the position before the application deadline if a suitable candidate is identified. Therefore, interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

About Hivos

Hivos is an international development organization guided by humanist values. Together with citizens and their organizations, we aim to contribute towards just, inclusive and life sustaining societies where people have equal access to opportunities, rights and resources. We work in partnership with others in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America on three impact areas: Civic Rights in a Digital Age; Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Climate Justice.

SDG Impact