Job Title:                          EU Policy and Advocacy Advisor

Reports to:                       Head of International Advocacy Team  

Department:                   Strategy Advocacy and Learning

Terms:                              Fixed Term Part-time, 3 days a week, 7-month contract, remote role (with some travel to Dublin expected)

Location:                          Dublin, Ireland

Salary:                               GB6 (€57,683-€64,092)

Requirements:                              Include here any travel requirements both in country and outside of country or work

About Concern:               Established in 1968, Concern is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern’s vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal – ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression.

Our culture is values driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on our goal of Reaching the Furthest Behind First. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and are enabled to succeed in their work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

Role Purpose:   : This temporary, part-time role will provide dedicated support to Concern’s EU policy and advocacy engagement during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The post will deliver analysis, advice and practical support to shape Concern’s influencing strategy and external engagement with EU institutions and key Member States, including around the EU Humanitarian Communication, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and Global Europe Instrument (NDICI–Global Europe), and anticipated Council Conclusions during the Irish Presidency. The role will support representation in relevant Brussels- and Ireland-based civil society platforms, helping to position Concern’s priorities on food security, nutrition and humanitarian action with decision-makers and partners.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning and delivery of a high-level EU Presidency policy event in Dublin, designed to inform Council-level debates on food security, nutrition and humanitarian action.
• Support the delivery of a high-level EU Presidency policy event focusing on research - this will be an online event
• Track and analyse EU policy developments relevant to Concern’s priorities, translating them into targeted clear recommendations and advocacy asks.
• Compete a high quality policy brief focused on EU food security and nutrition policy which will be used to inform Concern’s work across the presidency.
• Work closely with the Concern Communications team to develop EU-facing messages, reactive lines and communications products aligned to key Presidency moments.
• Prepare concise EU-focused briefings, speaking notes and meeting packs for Concern leadership ahead of external engagements and Presidency-related events.
• Identify and maximise EU advocacy moments (Council meetings, Parliamentary debates, Commission communications, Presidency events) to raise Concern’s visibility and influence across relevant policy audiences.

• All staff are responsible for upholding and promoting Concern’s values, including our workplace equality, diversity and inclusion, and safeguarding values.
• All staff are required to participate and contribute as necessary towards Concern’s emergency response as and when required.

Role Holder Requirements:

• At least three years’ experience leading EU-focused policy and advocacy initiatives, with a demonstrable track record of influencing outcomes with EU institutions and/or Member States (including Ireland).
• Experience representing an organisation within Brussels-based EU advocacy coalitions and networks (e.g., Alliance2015, VOICE, CONCORD, Generation Nutrition, Dóchas), including contributing to joint positions and coordinated influencing.
• Strong knowledge of humanitarian and development policy and practice, with an understanding of EU external action and humanitarian architecture (including key instruments, actors and decision-making processes).
• Excellent conceptual and analytical skills, including the ability to interpret EU policy and legislative processes and produce clear advocacy asks, briefings and written inputs for complex political environments and EU audiences.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, and to translate evidence into persuasive messages and policy recommendations for EU decision-makers.
• Third level qualification in an appropriate discipline, or equivalent professional experience in EU policy and advocacy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong policy writing and the ability to tailor content for EU audiences.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines, including during peak periods linked to Council Presidency milestones; willingness to work unsociable hours when required.

Safeguarding competencies:

We also value the following special skills and aptitudes:

• Respectful of security procedures and rules.
• Empathy with Concern’s Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives.
• Knowledge of Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere and Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).
• Respectful of local laws and customs
• Conducts itself in a professional manner
• Zero-tolerance to sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, human trafficking, child abuse and exploitation. Any violations of these principles and polices will be treated as a serious misconduct

Candidates are expected to demonstrate abilities in the following priority competency areas (highlight 3-4 competencies in bold as appropriate):

To apply:  CVs should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net by the closing date.

Please note that Concern Worldwide does not provide Visa sponsorship.

Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be shortlisted on a regular basis and we may offer posts before the closing date. 

If you have any concerns about our recruitment process and need particular assistance - for example if you have a visual impairment or are neurodivergent - please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you. 

We encourage all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, ethnicity or origin, disability, political beliefs, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status to apply to become a part of the organisation. Concern is against all forms of discrimination and unequal power relations and is committed to promoting equality. 

If this role sounds right for you, please apply with your CV and cover letter. We will respond to every applicant. Please be aware we may offer positions before the closing date.

If you have any concerns about our recruitment process and need particular assistance - for example if you have a disability e.g. a hearing impairment - please let us know and we will do our best to respond to your needs.  

Important information:

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct with three Associated Policies: The Programme Participant Protection Policy, the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy accessible here. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisations, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in their work, in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Consequently, working or volunteering with Concern may be subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking. 

Your Personal Data:

During this job application, you will provide Concern with your personal data. Concern takes its responsibilities towards this personal data very seriously and is committed to complying with all relevant data protection legislation.

For additional information please consult our web site or contact the Human Resource Division in our Head Office.

You have certain rights under data protection legislation. For more information on how to exercise those rights please visit www.concern.net/about/privacy