Advocacy Coordinator
Position Summary Expectations - Duties, Responsibilities
Location: National Office
JOB SUMMARY
The Advocacy Coordinator will lead the development and implementation of national and regional advocacy strategies focused on child rights, deinstitutionalization, and care reforms. He or she will engage with government bodies, NGOs, and key stakeholders to drive legislative and policy changes, ensuring that the voices of children in care, care leavers, and caregivers are central to advocacy works. The role involves coordinating research, managing public campaigns, overseeing media relations, and building partnerships to secure funding. Additionally, he or she will provide capacity building through training, organizing events, ensure compliance with advocacy budgets, and represent the organization in global forums, all while maintaining high standards of ethical practice and transparency.
- Actively engage with national processes on deinstitutionalization and childcare reforms, ensuring that the Federation’s advocacy messaging is effectively communicated. Support the MA (Member Association) in establishing a leadership position in these discourses.
- Develop and oversee the national advocacy strategy and action plans for the MA, ensuring alignment with regional strategies. Track progress, ensure timely delivery, and manage the advocacy budget effectively.
- Coordinate and manage research studies, assessments, and data collection efforts to build a solid evidence base for advocacy initiatives.
- Establish and nurture strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government bodies, NGOs, and other organizations working on child rights, child protection, and childcare issues.
- Promote the active involvement of children in care, care leavers, and caregivers in advocacy efforts, ensuring their voices are included in decision-making processes.
- Support internal capacity building through training and professional development for staff, especially those involved in advocacy activities at different locations.
- Organize and participate in internal and external workshops, meetings, consultations, field visits, and advocacy events.
- Ensure all advocacy-related documentation is maintained, including meeting minutes, letters, concept notes, policy briefs, reports, and newsletters. Ensure timely reporting and information dissemination.
- Lead communications related to advocacy efforts, both internally and externally. This includes creating and executing media campaigns to raise awareness and engage the public.
- Coordinate with other departments (e.g., Communications, Programmatic Teams, Finance) and external stakeholders to align advocacy efforts with the Federation’s broader goals. Work closely with the PD (Program Director) and ND (National Director) on advocacy projects.
- Maintain regular communication with the Advocacy Advisor-Asia and contribute to regional and global advocacy initiatives, including submitting reports and participating in virtual calls, meetings, and other M&E processes.
- Engage with government bodies and legislators to push for legislative changes supporting the rights of children in care and child protection reforms. Prepare and deliver policy briefs for meetings with decision-makers.
- Design and lead public campaigns on issues like deinstitutionalization and child rights. Manage media relationships, write press releases, and arrange interviews to promote the Federation’s work.
- Build and maintain relationships with donors and partners to secure funding for advocacy initiatives. Ensure proper tracking of grant proposals and reporting on funded activities.
- Identify and manage potential risks related to advocacy activities. Provide guidance and act as the primary contact in times of crisis or sudden policy changes.
- Facilitate community engagement by empowering children, caregivers, and care leavers to actively participate in advocacy initiatives, ensuring their perspectives are represented in advocacy campaigns and policy discussions.
- Represent the Federation at international conferences and forums related to child rights, care reform, and child protection. Contribute to global networks and initiatives to amplify the Federation’s impact.
- Create and distribute resources such as toolkits, manuals, and online content to build the capacity of staff, partners, and other stakeholders on child rights and care reform.
- Serve as a liaison between advocacy teams and other departments like fundraising, communications, and M&E to ensure that advocacy efforts align with broader programmatic goals.
- Ensure that advocacy materials and activities are culturally appropriate and tailored to local contexts, respecting customs and practices while promoting child rights and reform.
- Keep up to date with new methods, trends, and innovations in child rights advocacy. Explore the use of digital tools, social media, and data-driven approaches to enhance engagement and outreach.
- Organize and participate in policy dialogues, multi-stakeholder consultations, and roundtables. Ensure that diverse voices, especially those of marginalized children and communities, are heard.
- Develop systems to monitor and evaluate the impact of advocacy efforts. Regularly assess and refine strategies to improve advocacy outcomes, and report findings to management and stakeholders.
- Ensure that all advocacy efforts adhere to ethical standards, particularly regarding the participation of vulnerable populations. Promote transparency and accountability in all initiatives.
- Provide mentorship and professional development for junior staff and volunteers in advocacy work, helping them develop the skills necessary for successful campaigns.
- Organize and manage national and international events such as conferences, workshops, and webinars related to child rights and care reform, overseeing logistics, content creation, and participant engagement.
- Oversee the advocacy budget, track expenditures, and ensure cost-effectiveness in all advocacy activities. Work with the finance team to ensure compliance with financial policies.
- Represent the MA in public forums, conferences, and media engagements on issues related to children’s rights, care reform, and child protection. Contribute articles, blogs, and opinion pieces to further the Federation’s advocacy goals.
- Requirement
- A degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Law, or a related field.
- A minimum of 4 years’ experience in child rights, alternative care, and youth development.
- A strong understanding of and commitment to promoting children's rights.
- Ability to think critically and analyze complex issues.
- Strong written and spoken communication skills in both local language and English.
- Willing to travel as and when required
- Proven skills in public relations, networking, and partnership building.
- Fluency in English and the local language.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Teams, and collaboration platforms.
- Experience or ability to facilitate both online and in-person training.
- Familiarity with digital advocacy tools, social media platforms, online campaigns, and digital petitions. Ability to integrate digital and traditional advocacy methods.
- Experience managing communication in high-pressure situations, particularly when advocacy work is under scrutiny or during policy shifts affecting child rights.
- Essential Values, Behaviours and Skills
- Familiarity with Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) tools and frameworks to track the impact of advocacy initiatives and adapt strategies as needed.
- Committed to maintaining strict confidentiality in data protection, with a strong adherence to professional ethics and sensitivity to child rights issues.
- Patient, mature, and responsible individual with excellent interpersonal skills, capable of engaging and motivating youth.
- Effective team player with high interpersonal skills, able to work collaboratively in diverse environments.
- Ability to negotiate with a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, donors, and international organizations to advance advocacy goals.
- Strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and advancing social justice. Experience working with marginalized populations, including children, people with disabilities, and those affected by poverty or conflict.
- Ability to work effectively in dynamic, politically sensitive environments. Understanding the complexities of advocacy across different regions and cultures.
- Efficiency, punctuality, and a continuous learning mindset.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team
- Be strongly interested in child and youth care, mature and confident in dealing with senior and high-rankingmembers of the Government and otherinternationalandnational and sub-national institutions.
- Be sensitive and adaptable to different cultures, genders, religions, ages, races and nationalities
- Good team player with leadership skill, self-starter, has ability to work under minimum supervision and good relationship builder
- Sensitive Child Rights issues and do not have history child abuse and understanding child safeguarding policy.
