Advocacy Officer

About Orchid Project

Orchid Project has a vision of a world free from female genital cutting (FGC). We are a small but growing, dynamic not-for-profit organisation with a proven track record of delivering programmes, policy, advocacy and communications in support of an end to FGC.  More than 4 million girls a year are subjected to female genital cutting. This involves partly or fully removal of a girl's external female genitalia.  In the short term, it can cause serious bleeding, infection and sometimes death. It dramatically disadvantages girls for the future: many girls never return to school and are often forced into early marriage. As well as the physical damage, cutting significantly curtails the education, incomes, and independence of women and girls.  It is a fundamental breach of the human rights of women and girls, and it causes lasting health, education, economic and social harm. Many communities are ending cutting - and we know this can be accelerated to meet the world’s target of ending this practice by 2030 – but the population is growing faster than the prevalence is falling, leading to a rising number of girls being cut each year. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, programme work to end cutting has been disrupted worldwide and an additional 2 million girls are now at risk of being cut in the next ten years according to UNFPA.

Orchid Project works in three ways:

• Advocating for resources and commitments to end FGC
• Sharing best practices, and communicating the scale and impact of FGC and how it is ending
• Partnering with grassroots organisations working towards abandonment in practising countries 

Orchid Project is currently a team of 10 full-time staff. For additional information and to read our strategy please visit our website orchidproject.org

Values

We are collaborative, we are respectful, and we are open and accountable. All staff are expected to uphold Orchid Project’s values and work together to achieve transformational change.

Role Summary

The Advocacy Officer and Advocacy and Capacity Building Officer will report to the Policy and Advocacy Manager to support all Orchid Project's influencing work to achieve a world free from FGC in line with Sustainable Development Target 5.3.2.

This role will support our expanded advocacy and policy work within the framework of the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) funded programme to support the Africa-led movement to End FGM/C.

Role Description

Global Policy and Advocacy Influencing

Contribute to advancing the advocacy and policy priorities of the organisation so that Orchid Project maintains its prominent position in the sector, and in particular:

• Supports the implementation of the advocacy strategy to help deliver the organisation’s 3-year 2020-2023 strategy
• As part of the Support to the Africa-Led Movement programme, engage in day-to-day advocacy work and support design and delivery of events during key global advocacy moments.
• Participate in the development of national and regional advocacy in practising country contexts
• Support the Policy and Advocacy team’s engagement with key policy instruments and policy initiatives across gender equality, Gender-Based Violence, Violence against Women and Girls, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights
• Support reporting in relation to advocacy projects for internal or external audiences, including donors 

Knowledge and Research:

Support the organisation as it builds its profile and outputs in relation to research and evidence in particular:

• Support the Policy and Advocacy team to monitor and internally disseminate emerging research on FGC. 
• Contribute to ensuring effective and clear information flows between the Policy and Advocacy team in Nairobi, Kenya and colleagues in London, with a particular focus on Communications and Programme teams. 

Other Tasks:

Orchid Project is a small team in an entrepreneurial environment, and you may be required to undertake tasks outside of your job description from time to time. We also have a number of cross-team working groups that you might want to join.

Working Relationships:

• Reporting to Policy and Advocacy Manager  
• Working closely with Head of Policy and Advocacy, Communication and Programme teams, and other Orchid Project team members
• Support to the Africa-Led Movement Advocacy Team.

Person Specification

This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to further develop their career with a highly reputable, growing organisation that punches well above its weight in the women’s rights sector.

Essential

• 2-4 years of advocacy and/or policy experience – understanding of diverse forms of advocacy and policy and how an organisation can effectively influence different frameworks
• Demonstrable understanding of women’s rights and cultural nuances within the context of the Africa continent.
• Experience with partnerships and network building
• Excellent written communication skills
• Experience managing multiple priorities in a busy department 
• Experience in planning/supporting delivery of events
• Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail
• Able to work on own initiative, with flexibility and as part of a team
• Willing to occasionally work outside of the office and over weekends, with advance notice
• Passionate about human rights of women and girls 

Desirable

• International and/or cross-cultural experience gained through paid work or volunteering
• Experience of a similar human rights-based issue through work or research
• Excellent communicator and confident public speaker
• Knowledge of women's rights and cultural nuances within the context of the Asia region.

Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion at Orchid Project

Orchid Project is committed to being actively anti-racist. We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. We value lived experience and encourage you to apply even if you do not meet 100% of the Person Specification.

Safeguarding

Orchid Project is committed to protecting children and vulnerable adults, staff, representatives and partners from any unwanted behaviour. All staff are expected to abide by Orchid Project’s Safeguarding Policy. Training will be provided as part of induction, and relevant background and criminal record checks will be carried out. By submitting your application, you confirm that you agree to these checks being performed and that you will provide all necessary information to support this. For further information regarding Safeguarding please visit https://www.orchidproject.org/safeguarding-policy/ 

To apply, please email your CV along with a covering letter, detailing why you are applying for the job and how you meet the person specification to hr@orchidproject.org by 27/05/2022. Interviews will be held w/c 7th June via video conference.

We regret that Orchid Project can only consider applications from candidates who are Kenyan nationals