Senior Advocacy Officer

Wetlands International seeks a highly motivated, senior advocacy officer to help us bring wetlands as critically important natural capital, into development policy, planning and investment decisions. The livelihoods and well-being of millions of people in developing countries that depend on wetland ecosystems are under growing threat. Development is making ever-increasing demands on water resources for addressing energy and food security and to underpin industrial development. The water needs of wetlands as well as their role in supplying water are frequently overlooked or undervalued. As a consequence wetlands are changing, degrading, diminishing and even disappearing from the landscape driving deepening poverty, decreased resilience to disaster and natural resource focused conflicts.

This post is a very exciting opportunity to make a difference. The position will work in a number of challenging development issues around the world in some of the world’s most inspiring and compelling wetlands and river basins. The candidate will work at the sharp end of advocacy as part of a strong and vibrant network organisation and together with its many partners. They will appreciate the need for countries to develop coupled with a conviction that wetlands need to be an integral part of this. They will be convinced of the need to act through dialogue based approaches to achieve balanced solutions. Knowledge and familiarity of working in themes such as integrated water resources management, ecosystem based disaster risk reduction, water, sanitation and hygiene and green infrastructure will be essential. The candidate should be able to engage in government, business and inter-government environments articulate knowledge based arguments to influence decision-making processes. 

Working Relations

INSIDE Wetlands International:

Works as part of the Headquarters communications and advocacy team, collaborates with Netherlands-based project staff, other Wetlands International network office staff. Has a particular focus on work in the “BAM-GIRE” project focused on the Upper Niger Basin and Inner Niger Delta and is a member of its Communications and Advocacy Team (including Malian based Communications Officer and Advocacy Lead) and collaborates with other related West African staff in this context.

OUTSIDE Wetlands International:

International multi and bi-lateral financial institutions, governments, international policy bodies, platforms and dialogue processes influential in the field of water-related infrastructure development and water resource management; international NGO’s.

Overall Purpose of the Job:

Promote balanced and sustainable water resource development that maintains the services and values that ecosystems provide to society as part of development solutions. The position is expected in particular to advocate towards key international actors and opinion formers connected to the Upper Niger Basin and the Inner Niger Delta.

Main responsibilities

Reporting to the Netherlands based Technical Leads of the Blue Lifelines and  Mountains to the Sea work streams under the Wetlands International Strategic Intent:

1             Strategic development of advocacy and communications:

Develops and facilitates development of advocacy strategy and plans in cooperation with Programme Heads, Heads of Office, Senior Technical staff and the Communications Team strategies for advocacy and communications work.

2             International Advocacy:

1. Engages with international (multi and bilateral) financial institutions and governments, including in the Netherlands, to undertake knowledge-based advocacy and uptake of sustainable solutions.

2. Tracks policy and investment developments and shares with Wetlands International’s team and the project partners.

3. Engages with international stakeholders such as civil society, government and business to align advocacy and communication strategies.

4. Coordinates Communications and Advocacy activities with those of Wetlands International’s network of offices

3             Outreach at events and policy opportunities:

1. Strategises and facilitate effective engagement at international meetings and platforms.

2. Identifies, builds relationships with and influences key decision makers.

   The following skills, qualifications and experience are essential:

1. Demonstrable relevant experience in undertaking international level advocacy, media and communications.
2. Demonstrable track record in strategic planning and management of campaigns directly and facilitatively through others.
3. An excellent command of written and spoken English and French, preferably on the level of a native speaker.
4. Good interpersonal, team-building, networking and capacity building skills, demonstrating awareness and respect of different cultures.
5. Understanding and interest of conservation and wetland issues, as well as sustainable development and poverty reduction.
6. Relevant experience in West Africa and issues related to water resource management and development.
7. Prepared to travel frequently internationally.
8. Excellent computer literacy skills, including use of Microsoft applications.

For applying to this vacancy, please send us a resume and an application letter indicating your motivation to silva.paronakian@wetlands.org