Advocacy Officer

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Position Title: Advocacy Officer
Location: Brussels
Country: Belgium
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
Humanity & Inclusion, also known as Handicap International, is an independent and impartial aid organization that has been working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict, and disaster. The organization focuses on supporting people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, aiming to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions, and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. HI operates as a not-for-profit organization with no religious or political affiliation and functions as a federation composed of a network of 8 associations across Europe and North America. The organization is engaged in advocacy across various sectors, including development, humanitarian action, and the protection of civilians, leveraging its operational experience and expertise to inform its messages. For more information, visit www.hi.org.

Job Overview:
The Advocacy Officer will be a key member of the Advocacy and Institutional Relations team (AIR) at Humanity & Inclusion Federation. This role involves working under the supervision of the Disarmament and Protection of Civilians Advocacy Manager and collaborating with a diverse team of 11 individuals located in various cities, including Paris, Brussels, Munich, and Geneva. The primary focus of the Advocacy Officer will be to support the advocacy team in implementing activities aimed at achieving policy changes related to disarmament topics. The position emphasizes a people-centered approach to victim assistance and disarmament policies, requiring engagement with donors, affected states, and key stakeholders to promote policy improvements. The Advocacy Officer will also be responsible for advocating for survivor participation in advocacy efforts and monitoring developments related to banned weapons and humanitarian disarmament, providing policy recommendations and updates to stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Advocacy Officer will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Policy Engagement and Advocacy: Engaging with policymakers, stakeholders, and survivors to shape policies and advocate for humanitarian disarmament and victim assistance. This includes participating in policy dialogues, preparing policy briefs and advocacy materials, organizing meetings and forums for policy engagement, and identifying opportunities for survivor participation in policy-making processes.
• Analysis and Reporting: Monitoring global disarmament developments and providing informed recommendations for action. This involves tracking developments related to banned weapons and disarmament treaties, monitoring compliance with international disarmament agreements, and preparing regular policy reports and briefs for stakeholders.
• Public Communication and Outreach: Raising public awareness and creating campaigns to communicate the importance of victim assistance and disarmament. The Advocacy Officer will develop advocacy materials, collaborate with media teams, write articles and blog posts, and contribute to organizational communications.
• Support in Institutional Fundraising and Reporting: Providing support in securing funding for advocacy efforts through strategic fundraising and reporting, including researching funding opportunities, developing project proposals, and preparing donor reports.
• Engagement with Other Stakeholders: Ensuring disarmament advocacy is integrated into the work of other stakeholders within the HI movement and effectively shared with team members, organizing internal meetings, and preparing documents for internal and external dissemination.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a minimum of a university degree in political science, international relations, economics, law, or a related field. Candidates should have between 2 to 5 years of experience in policy and advocacy, particularly working with governmental bodies, NGOs, or international organizations. Knowledge of disarmament treaties and victim assistance frameworks is desirable, along with experience in monitoring global disarmament developments and providing policy analyses. A solid understanding of parliamentary processes and international diplomacy is essential, as well as excellent coordination skills and knowledge of humanitarian initiatives and civilian protection. Candidates must possess excellent written and spoken English, with a good command of French being desirable, and should demonstrate strong writing skills to translate complex political narratives into accessible content. Proficiency in MS Office applications and social media is also required, along with excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a university degree in political science, international relations, economics, law, or a related field. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of policy-making and advocacy in the context of humanitarian disarmament and victim assistance.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have between 2 to 5 years of relevant experience in policy and advocacy. This experience should ideally involve working with governmental bodies, NGOs, or international organizations, providing a solid foundation for engaging with various stakeholders in the disarmament and victim assistance sectors.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent written and spoken communication skills. A good command of French is desirable, as it will facilitate communication with stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of advocacy efforts.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is from April to December 2025, and the role is based in Brussels. The remuneration package includes a gross monthly salary, a 13th month, restaurant vouchers, hospitalization insurance, and group insurance if based in Paris, subject to local conditions.