Head of Policy and Advocacy

Summary

Join HALO, a leading global NGO, as the Head of Policy and Advocacy and lead the organization's policy and advocacy efforts. You will manage a team, design and oversee the delivery of HALO's global policy and advocacy strategy, and represent HALO at high-level forums. The role involves developing and delivering HALO's policy and thought leadership agenda, ensuring alignment with contextual developments in relevant sectors, and providing expert policy advice. You will also oversee the HALO Ambassador Programme and work closely with various internal and external stakeholders. This is a permanent, full-time position based in the UK with flexible working options and frequent travel to UK and European offices.

Requirements

• Senior Policy and Advocacy experience
• Solid understanding of the humanitarian and development aid sector, and the policy networks within it
• Solid understanding of UK and/or European political systems and structures, as well as UN diplomatic processes
• Understanding of relevant policy platforms, networks and think tanks to learn, share and establish policy positions
• Proven ability to build relationships and engage with external stakeholders at all levels
• Proven experience of providing policy advice to senior leaders
• Demonstrable experience in building external relationships and working with influential individuals
• Demonstrable experience in developing and communicating policy positions
• Experience representing and speaking at high level forums
• Ability to understand risks and assess the impact of policy positions and public statements
• Experience of managing a team
• Experience of developing a cohesive, collaborative and happy team working environment

Responsibilities

• Design and oversee the delivery of HALO’s global policy and advocacy strategy in support of the organisational strategy
• Ensure a rolling programme of policy engagement in the UK, Europe, UN and other relevant forums, with structured engagement of relevant internal stakeholders
• Undertake high-level representation of HALO, including in the UK, Europe and at the UN, speaking with authority about HALO’s policy positions, partnerships and programmes
• Lead the development and delivery of HALO’s policy and thought leadership agenda, working closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure HALO remains engaged and relevant to conflict and other geographic and thematic issues
• Ensure HALO’s policy and advocacy engagement is in line with contextual developments in the mine action, development, humanitarian, environment and stabilisation sectors
• Provide high-quality and expert policy advice to internal stakeholders during crises and emergency response
• Oversee the coordination of the HALO Ambassador Programme, providing line management to the HALO Ambassador Lead and working closely with the CEO, Leadership Team and key stakeholders in the Communications, Philanthropy and Strategy Groups
• Oversee HALO’s policy engagement with international disarmament forums, including the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) and Convention on Cluster Munitions
• Ensure HALO’s structured input to the Mine Action Review, including representation on the Review’s Advisory Board
• Work closely with Programmes and Capability Groups to support the embedding of policy and advocacy within HALO’s operational and training activities
• Support the development and update of HALO’s Gender and Diversity, Conflict Sensitivity and Environmental policies and guidelines
• Deputise for the Director of Strategy as required
• Provide constructive and empowering line management to the Policy and Advocacy Team
• Work within the framework of HALO’s core values, promoting its ethos and mission statement
• Work towards achieving programme and/or group business plan objectives
• Ensure familiarity with and adhere to all HALO policies and procedures and keep informed of HALO activities
• Travel overseas as and when required
• To discharge duties and responsibilities under HALO’s Health and Safety Procedures which may include Risk and COSHH Assessments and participation in evacuation procedures as necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in/ alongside the demining sector
• Experience of driving organisational strategic change
• Knowledge of multilateral institutions

Benefits

• Annual Leave: 25 days plus 8 statutory holidays
• Private health insurance
• Non-contributory life assurance
• Pension contributions matched by HALO up to 5%
• Emergency medical insurance when travelling overseas
• Flexible working policy