Developing and managing productive relationships with agencies based inEurope– particularly the UN Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) – is critical for WSPA to achieve its vision to end animal cruelty worldwide and is essential for its reputation, access and influence.  A new opportunity now exists for a senior policy manager to help WSPA develop and manage its productive relationships with these critical stakeholders including the management of key collaborative projects.

This role is part of the External Affairs unit within WSPA’s International Programmes Department and the person appointed will be expected to work from their own premises. The successful candidate is likely based in Europe.

The External Affairs unit has accountability for developing, maintaining and leveraging WSPA’s relationships with key stakeholders including governments, international bodies, academia, industry, non-government organisations, etc. External Affairs is part of the External Affairs, Research and Public Learning team within the Programmes Department and works closely with staff responsible for WSPA’s priority campaigns, projects and communications in the international, regional and country offices.

POSITION IN ORGANISATION

• Line managed and directed by the Head of External Affairs
• Works closely with all staff, particularly the global programme team and Regional and Country Directors

• Liaises at all levels internally and also externally as directed by the Director of External Affairs, Research and Learning

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

External

• Develop and manage critical stakeholder and partner relationships with inter-governmental agencies and international organisations based inGeneva,ParisandRome
• Collaborate with relevant staff in the development of regional animal welfare strategies in support of work with international and regional organisations
• Gather intelligence and identify opportunities for engagement in order to contribute to the development and evolution of stakeholder engagement strategies. This to include stakeholder mapping and assessment of the impact of new policies and regulation on those strategies
• Support the development of engagement strategies into clear project plans for the unit
• Implement engagement strategies via the delivery of key projects to include representing and coordinating WSPA’s interests and position on collaborative projects and major policy issues with key stakeholders at fora, conferences, meetings and other events as well as in external publications, journals, media and policy papers. To include designing and delivering projects with key stakeholders and organising profile raising events where appropriate

 Internal

• Coordinate and work with colleagues in Regional and Country Offices, priority programmes and international communications staff in particular in support of the implementation of strategies relating toGeneva, Paris andRomebased stakeholders
• Assist in the external affairs input to internal reporting requirements and processes
• Coordinate/provide advice, briefing material, presentations and speaking notes for senior executives in their engagement with external audiences with these agencies as directed by the Head of External Affairs
• Author articles, case studies, etc on animal welfare in relation to these agencies and the work of the External Affairs team as directed by the Head of External Affairs
• Monitor external developments in relevant policy fora and with key stakeholders and provide channel for this communication back into WSPA

General duties

• Produce budgetary proposals, implementation plans and project updates relating to previously agreed key stakeholders
• Work with the Head of External Affairs and programmes staff to integrate work as closely as possibly
• Provide material for Communications

• Carry out administrative duties e.g. routine correspondence;
• Carry out any other task as reasonably requested.

DIMENSIONS & LIMITS OF AUTHORITY

• Responsibility to ensure effective and co-ordinated liaison with previously identified key stakeholders based on sound research and analysis
• Responsible for accurate communication of factual information to diverse audiences
• Responsible for representation of WSPA’s interests externally as directed by the Head of External Affairs
• Collaborates with professionals externally

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Political Sciences, International Relations, Economics or similar

EXPERIENCE

• Substantial senior level experience in an external facing/public affairs role (essential)
• Knowledge of the UN and/or other institutions - both public and private (essential)
• Fluent in English and at least two other European languages – preferably Italian and French
• Significant knowledge of the development, humanitarian and/or environmental sectors (desirable)
• Strong interest in international affairs (Essential)
• Strong teamwork, research and analytical skills, and interpersonal skills
• Building and maintaining collaborative relationships and strategic partnerships (essential)
• Willingness to travel and experience in engaging with people of all backgrounds and cultures (essential)
• Strong project and event management experience (essential)
• Excellent communication skills – written, oral and presentation (essential)
• Extensive research skills across a range of research methods (essential)

• Competent at computing and web based skills relevant to the job (essential)
• Flexible to travel withinEuropeand sometimes globally with advance agreement (essential)
• Sensitive to social and cultural issues