SOS Children’s Villages International is the umbrella organisation for the global federation of SOS Children’s Villages. As a non-governmental social development organisation we support children without parental care and families in difficult living conditions through services in care, education, health and emergency relief, and we advocate for the rights of children and young people, in alliance with a great diversity of partners. We work in 135 countries and territories, reaching over one million children, young people, families and caregivers each year.

Mission of the position

The Programme & Strategy (PS) Competence Centre provides professional support to enable the leadership & key stakeholders across the federation to fulfil our commitment to quality care and to maximise our impact. As part of the PS mission, we work toward championing care & ensuring child safeguarding, keeping the focus on our SOS Children’s Villages Care Promise, facilitating global strategy development & implementation, guiding policy and tool development, supporting implementation as a reliable partner to key stakeholders, facilitating programme networking, exchange and learning and positioning SOS Children’s Villages as a leading advocate; this latter being the objective of the Liaison & Advocacy team.

In the framework of our SOS Children’s Villages Strategy 2030, the federation commits to give a voice to our target group and to increase our advocacy impact: “In 2030, we shall be able to continuously contribute to improving public policies for our target group in all the countries where we are active”.

In this context the incumbent, while reporting directly to the Head of Global Advocacy, acts as the representative to the EU and leads the representation of SOS Children’s Villages International towards the European Institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg, builds, maintains and strengthens relationships with key stakeholders. S/he supports and partners with the Member Associations in their efforts to engage with and influence EU processes, policies and programmes. S/he strategically engages with peer organisations and networks to gather intelligence, position the organisation and maximise opportunities for positioning and engagement. S/he leads, manages and provides strategic direction to a small and agile EU Team, based in Brussels and contributes to strategic reflections to position the SOS message globally.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Co-ordination of/and overall responsibility for the organisation’s external representation to the European institutions and the European NGO networks, including ensuring proactive networking and advocacy towards the EU, as well as European-based NGOs on children’s rights, child care and child development
• Lead the conception and implementation of the strategy to the EU, including implementation of the planning and activities of the organisation’s advocacy strategy to the EU in the field of children without parental care or at greatest risk of losing it
• Leading a small and agile team as well as external partnerships and NGO advocacy networks; Manage Team members, support development and monitoring of individual work plans, support learning and development
• Advising, supporting and partnering with regional and national members in the development of advocacy related to EU affairs in the following:
  • Ensure that Member Associations (MAs) and International Office Regions (IORs) have a good overview and understanding of EU policy and funding for programme interventions at national level
  • Ensure MAs can understand the importance of and how to leverage EU policies and influence in order to promote changes at National level
  • Develop intelligence on the strategic direction of EU in areas of interest to SOS Children’s Villages and share information with MAs to seize opportunities
  • Take decisions (and implement those) about involvement in EU processes, including organisation of meetings and events in Brussels and participation in events in Brussels and Member States
• Participation in the strategic planning, policy and organisational development and develop intelligence on the strategic direction of EU in areas of interest to SOS Children’s Villages and share information with MAs to seize opportunities
• As required, and in line with delegated authority, carry senior management responsibilities into internal and external networks

Requirements

• Master degree in International Relations, Political Science, EU studies, Human Rights or related field; BA degree and commensurate experience can also be considered
• At least 10 years of experience of successful policy implementation and advocacy work in the social, children, youth or  fundamental rights sector preferably in an international environment
• Experience in promoting the rights and well-being of children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Hands on experience in one of SOS Children’s Villages areas of programme interest
• Experience in leading and empowering teams from diverse background and in driving people development
• Strong ability and experience to build relevant networks and co-operate within
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Show firm commitment to the vision, mission and values as well as compliance with brand, policies and principles of SOS Children’s Villages
• Ability to make timely and sound decisions through identifying and understanding issues, priorities, problems, opportunities and probable consequences, and to drive swift implementation
• Ability to set clear goals and standards, to ensure the delivery and development of the individual and the organisation against the strategic goals and standards

What we offer

• A long term career in an international NGO with the opportunity to advance the rights and welfare of children and their communities
• A professional international working environment, a committed and highly motivated team with a variety of backgrounds, experience and strengths
• A salary that will be commensurate with experience and qualifications

If you are interested in this position, please send your detailed e-mail application by 3 July 2018 at the latest to personal@sos-kd.org, SOS-Children’s Villages International, www.sos-childrensvillages.org/.