Stakeholder Forum is recruiting again, this time for a Head of Policy and Advocacy to be based at our London office. The salary range is 35 – 40k p/a with a permanent contract.

Position: Head of Policy and Advocacy

Reporting to: Executive Director

Managing: Three Senior Project Officers

About Stakeholder Forum

Stakeholder Forum is an international organisation working to advance sustainable development and promote democracy at a global level. Our work aims to enhance open, accountable and participatory international decision-making on sustainable development through enhancing the involvement of stakeholders in intergovernmental processes.

Stakeholder Forum seeks to provide a bridge between those who have a stake in sustainable development, and the international forums where decisions are made in their name. To this end, we work with a diversity of stakeholders globally on international policy development and advocacy; stakeholder engagement and consultation; media and communications and capacity building – all with the ultimate objective of promoting progressive outcomes on sustainable development through an open and participatory approach.

Job Purpose

To lead, manage and develop all Stakeholder Forum’s global policy and advocacy projects and programmes, achieving the required impact and securing necessary funds. To play a leadership role in the organisation, strategically advising the Executive Director and managing all senior staff. To raise the profile and reputation of Stakeholder Forum through representing the organisation at multiple levels.

Main Responsibilities

• Leading, managing and developing all global policy and advocacy projects and programmes on sustainable development across the organisation
• Conducting strategic policy analysis and developing impactful and well-founded policy proposals
• Managing and writing policy publications and reports
• Designing effective and impactful advocacy strategies to influence international intergovernmental discussions and negotiations
• Managing multi-stakeholder coalitions and balancing the interests of a diverse range of actors
• Building relationships with key decision-makers to achieve desired policy outcomes
• Presenting proposals and recommendations at events and conferences
• Developing innovative and creative new projects and programmes
• Securing sufficient funding for policy projects and programmes and developing relationships with a diverse range of funders
• Supporting and advising the Executive Director at a strategic level
• Managing senior staff at Stakeholder Forum and providing leadership to the team

Specific Projects

The Head of Policy and Advocacy will lead and manage the following policy and advocacy projects:

• Water and Climate Coalition – leading an advocacy strategy on water for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
• Global Transition 2012 – working in partnership with the new economics foundation on an ambitious policy and advocacy initiative towards the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012 (Rio+20)
• SDG2012 – managing Stakeholder Forum’s programme on global sustainable development governance towards Rio+20
• Global Convention on Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility – designing a policy and advocacy project to call for a global Convention on CSER as an outcome from Rio+20
• High Level Workshops and Briefings – managing a number of high level workshops and briefings with government officials in New York and elsewhere on a diverse range of sustainable development issues, in partnership with a diverse range of stakeholders

Skills and Competencies

The candidate will need the following skills and competencies:

• Policy analysis and development skills.
• Drafting, including the ability to write with impact for a diverse range of audiences and draft policy publications, briefings and reports.
• Ability to design and effectively implement advocacy strategies to influence international intergovernmental discussions and negotiations
• Communication and presentation, including the ability to make dynamic and compelling public presentations
• Interpersonal skills including the ability to

–      manage multi-stakeholder coalitions and networks and balance the interests of a diverse range of actors

–      facilitate and chair multi-stakeholder meetings and dialogues and secure consensus and positive outcomes

–      be persuasive in advocating policy positions whilst retaining a professional and diplomatic approach

–      network and build lasting and trusting relationships with decision-makers and government officials

• Strategic awareness, including advising staff at a more senior and executive level accordingly.
• Innovative and creative thinking especially in designing new projects and initiatives.

Knowledge and Experience (Desirable not Essential)

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of global sustainable development issues and challenges, as well as the history of sustainable development policy on an international level
• Understanding of the United Nations, its policy-making processes and structures, especially in relation to sustainable development and environment
• Experience of engaging with and influencing UN and intergovernmental policy-making processes
• Experience of managing a team
• A track record of securing significant funding for projects and programmes

How to Apply

To apply please send your CV and a Cover Letter to Jack Cornforth by midnight, 8^th September 2011 – [email protected] 
In your Cover Letter you should outline (in no more than 2 pages) how you meet the Skills and Competencies for the position, and how your knowledge and experience is relevant to the position. If you have any questions please call Jack on 0207 580 6912.

Interviews will be conducted around one week after the application deadline.