Hivos is hiring a
Call for Candidates for Walkie-Talkies, Agent Provocateurs, Goal Shifters, Disruptive Divas
Accountability Mechanism for Walking the Talk
Are you a bad-ass feminist that is looking to (co-)create #beautifultrouble? Do you want to help ensure key governments are walking their talk when it comes to Feminist Foreign Policies, gender equality and women’s rights? Do you want to co-shape a new civil society consortium between Germany, UK, France, Netherlands and the EU by including and broadening Majority and Minority World perspectives?
If yes, do read on, you may be one of the six feminists we are looking for!
We are inviting feminists from the Global South and North that want to be a Walkie-Talkie and form part of the Accountability Mechanism that the Consortium is designing. Walking the Talk is a new consortium that aims to improve gender equality and inclusive Feminist Foreign Policies, practices and funding of four European countries and the European Union. The accountability mechanism we envision will center the voices of Majority World feminists, story-tellers, data-geeks, researchers, activists, complemented by one or two European voices. We want to create a fun, nurturing, learning space where #Sisterhood4Sistergood is the spirit, campaign ideas and intelligence are generously shared and at the same time internal and external accountability is ensured.
Introducing the Program
Walking the Talk aims to improve the quality and quantity of gender equality policies, practices and funding, through Official Development Aid (ODA) and Feminist Foreign Policies (FFPs) in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. To this end, the four consortium members (Equipop, the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy, Restless Development and Hivos respectively) advocate for changes with decision makers in their own countries and at EU-level.
We are four progressive organizations with deep local and global roots and with solid relations with relevant decision makers as well as strong feminist allies. The program will also have a small team in Brussels, for EU-level advocacy.
Our advocacy is centered around the ideas, concerns, needs and experiences of (young) feminist groups, organizations and / or networks from the Global South and North. Global South experts bring relevant lived experiences, expertise and ideas to the table; however, currently their voices are insufficiently considered when decisions are made about gender equality policies, practices and funding. It is therefore essential to actively engage (young) feminist groups, organizations and / or networks from the Global South throughout the program structures, and in research and advocacy efforts.
This three-year program started in August 2023 and has an overall budget of US$ 7 million.
Introducing the Walkie-Talkie Accountability Mechanism
The overall purpose of the Walkie-Talkie Accountability mechanism is to strengthen the quality of the program and to enlarge the visibility and positioning of Walking the Talk’s advocacy. This is done by providing solicited and unsolicited advice.
More specifically, the Walkie-Talkies have a strategic accountability role that is two-fold:
1. Internal
To help shape the program’s research and advocacy strategy by identifying (research) topics, strengthening messaging and campaigns, meeting opportunities and sharing intelligence of what is happening in the worlds of FFP and (intersectional) Gender Equality. In short, it is about cross-pollinating existing and upcoming research and campaigns, so that 1+1 = 3 or even 5!
2. External
To help amplify the messages and positioning of Walking the Talk. This is done by regularly providing a reality check of what is happening on the ground versus what is written in policies. This could for example be if a Dutch, German, French or British Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy or EU Delegation is issuing a Call for Proposals that is not in line with their FFP or Gender Equality commitments. This part is about building and applying collective power and intelligence through meetings, blogs, conversations etc.
As this is an experimental space, some of the practical elements on the above will be built as we go along!
The Walkie-Talkie Accountability Mechanism will consist of six feminists, with at least four from the Majority World and two from the Minority World, preferably from a country with experience with an FFP policy. We aim for a diversity of feminist voices, from different rightsholder groups, with different backgrounds and from different regions, and considering intersectionality.
It is important to note that there already is a Walking the Talk Overarching Management Team consisting of senior staff of each Consortium member plus the Coordination Team. They have an internal oversight role on finances and administration to oversee the program’s progress. The Walkie-Talkies play a much more strategic role in line with what the broader sector needs and where the energy lies / should be.
Who and what are we looking for
We are looking for feminists with (some) expertise and (lived) experiences with gender equality policies and practices. A strong plus would be if that experience is related to funding emanating from Global North countries (such as EU, UK, France, Germany and/or the Netherlands). The experience may also include an intersectional perspective, such as gender equality in climate justice funding, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender-Based Violence, or feminist principles in technology such as Artificial Intelligence.
We seek Walkie-Talkies that represent specific rightsholder groups and/or play an active role in feminist spaces in the various regions. We aim for (geographic) diversity.
Our ideal Walkie-Talkie walks their own talk on feminist values; is committed and shares lessons, expertise and experiences; has a constructive attitude; is solution-oriented; and motivated to contribute to positive changes. This is more important than actual roles: you can be a (budding) story-teller, data-geek, researcher, journalist or activist!
Since the Accountability Mechanism is a very strategic body, it is essential for the Walkie-Talkies to be able and willing to dedicate time and energy to this role (average two days a month), as well as take responsibility for decisions made. Active participation in strategic activities is required, such as our annual Feminist Advocacy Conferences and/or Labs.
You can either be an independent consultant or apply on the basis of an organizational track record. In either case it goes without saying that the role is not transferable.
What we offer
As Walkie-Talkie you will be part of a strategic space that builds up collective power and intelligence, working with diverse feminists from the Global South and North, to strengthen advocacy for gender equality ODA and FFP. We are committed to creating a fun, nurturing, learning space of Walkie-Talkies where #Sisterhood4Sistergood is the spirit, campaign ideas and intelligence are generously shared and at the same time internal and external accountability is ensured!
We offer a stipend of Euro 4800 a year for a time commitment of approximately two days a month. The initial agreement will be for one year with an option of renewal for another year or 18 months.
In case of travel (we envision the Walkie-Talkies to meet in person at least once a year most likely aligned to the annual Feminist Advocacy Conference) we will obviously cover travel costs and offer visa support.
How to apply
Please click on the "Apply here" button.
You can provide answers in writing, or upload a video.
The deadline for applications is Sunday the 14th of January at 23.59PM CET