European Policy & Engagement Manager – ODI Europe

Position description

Contract: Fixed-term until June 2026
Salary: 4,440.58 – 4,751.42 EUR per month (53,287- 57,017 EUR per annum) depending on skills and experience
Ref: ODIEUR0124

About us

ODI Europe is an independent, global affairs think tank based in Brussels with a global network of partners. We bring research, ideas and dialogue with the world into the European policy debate to drive global change. At the intersection of major issues, we bring global evidence to the debate and foster international dialogue. We have strong networks across the world and work closely with colleagues in our offices in London and Washington D.C.

We offer competitive salaries, a generous company pension scheme, hybrid working and a range of flexible, family-friendly and inclusive employment policies to support well-being and a healthy work-life balance.

ODI Europe is hiring a European Policy & Engagement Manager for the Walking the Talk program. We seek an enthusiastic, self-starting person that is able to translate feminist values into inclusive and effective research and policy impact. In this program, you will closely work with European consortium partners, as well as with feminist allies from the majority and minority world.

European countries contribute significantly to advancing gender equality worldwide. But there is increased pressure on Official Development Aid (ODA), especially on funding for gender equality and feminist values. At the same time, when decisions are made about Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) or ODA for gender equality, feminists and LGBTIQ+ persons from low and middle income countries are not structurally engaged, even though these decisions directly affect their lives and work.

On the positive side, there is momentum to give gender equality, and more specifically, feminist approaches, a decisive boost. Various governments are now developing or implementing FFPs in recognition of the importance of feminist approaches to ODA.

ODI Europe is a co-implementing partner of the Walking the Talk consortium, bringing together five European organizations: Equipop (France), Restless Development (United Kingdom), the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy (Germany), Hivos (the Netherlands, and lead of the consortium) and ODI Europe (EU and Belgium). Together we utilize our extensive collective experience to embed gender equality in foreign policies, practices and ODA spending and to ensure that the evidence, perspectives and ideas of feminists from low and middle income countries are included in decisions about gender equality ODA and FFP.

If you share ODI’s vision and values, I encourage you to think about joining us at this exciting juncture. If you are motivated to make the world a fairer place, and can bring new energy, ideas and perspectives, together with constructive challenge, then we look forward to hearing from you. Read on to find out more about ODI Europe and how you can join the team.

Main duties and responsibilities

European policy liaison and external positioning:

• To monitor EU institutional changes and EU external affairs and development cooperation policies especially those related to foreign policy, human and social development and gender issues;
• To remain updated on the specific EU development cooperation financial instruments relevant for gender equality, the EU budget cycles (including annual budget and programming) and the multi-annual negotiation;
• To identify research uptake and policy influencing opportunities and activities to be carried out by Walking the Talk and ODI in the EU Brussels arena in terms of policy and funding and to act upon them by providing inputs, drafting key messages, convening network meetings, hosting events and nurturing contacts with key stakeholders. These policy engagement opportunities should make use of ODI research results and build on the priorities, ideas and needs identified by the consortium, and as well as of concrete opportunities in the international decision-making processes;
• To work collaboratively with external relevant stakeholders on EU policy engagement, in particular with Brussels-based Gender Equality partners, other SRHR and gender equality networks, and development networks to ensure coherence and efficiency;
• To ensure strategic participation and visibility of Walking the Talk and ODI FFP work in relevant fora to positively influence the agenda and debate on gender equality in ODA and FFP, creating space in such arenas for voices and ideas of Global feminist actors through research and policy work;
• To support the uptake of research outputs from across the consortium and ODI by decision makers;
• To provide training on European policy processes.

Project implementation and accountability:

In line with Walking the Talk’s overarching planning and monitoring plan, you design, implement and evaluate EU policy engagement strategies, and report on these. This includes:

• Close coordination with the Walking the Talk Coordination team, consortium-members, ODI’s GESI team and allies;
• Participation in and/or leadership of the program’s Advocacy working group;
• Support the learning, monitoring and evaluation for policy engagement;
• Close collaboration with the Consortium’s communication and advocacy teams, to ensure consistency and alignment in messaging and policy engagement efforts;
• Working closely with the Walking the Talk Program Manager and Director of ODI Europe to design the recruitment process for the communications role and will supervise the post.

Undertake such other duties within the scope of their post as may be requested by their Manager.

Essential

• Solid, professional and up-to-date knowledge of and experience in policy engagement for gender equality ODA and/or FFP, particularly of the EU and international political and administrative context;
• Knowledge/experience of working in Brussels and the workings of the European Institutions;
• Ability to develop and maintain close collaboration between “Global South” and “North actors”, working to generate access for voices from low and middle income countries to directly influence policy agendas on gender equality ODA and FFP;
• Strategic thinking and ability to create, identify and make use of policy influencing opportunities, and link results and lessons to wider program outcomes;
• Relevant degree or equivalent work experience in international development, gender or feminist studies, political science, public administration, or another relevant field;
• A strong belief in and embodiment of ODI’s and Walking the Talk’s values and principles;
• Team-spirit and collaborative;
• Excellent skills in external relationship management;
• Imagination and creativity for solving challenging problems;
• Full professional proficiency in English with excellent written and verbal skills; fluency in French a strong asset due to the EU environment. German and/or Dutch a bonus!
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly, mostly in Europe.

Desirable

• Experience building relationships with the media, writing press releases and securing press coverage.

Closing date: Applications will close 30th June, but shortlisting and interviews will be completed on a rolling basis, so early application is encouraged.

Interview date: TBC Starting w/c 10th June.

This role will be based in Belgium. To be considered, you will need to confirm your Right to Work in Belgium only.

If this sounds like you, we are very keen to hear back from you before the closing date. In return we will offer:

• A fantastic opportunity to work for a global organisation inspiring people around the world to fight on injustice and inequality through our world class research, convening and influencing;
• The opportunity to work with exceptional talent who are respected in their respective fields;
• An opportunity to make a difference working with like-minded colleagues;
• Excellent pay and benefits including;
• Internet allowance;
• Home office allowance;
• Employer’s contribution towards lunch meals;
• 8% pension contribution;
• 25 days of annual leave allowance + 3 days off during the Christmas period due to office closure – 28 days in total;
• Hospitalisation insurance;
• Employer liability insurance (Labour accident);
• Insurance when you travel for work;
• Other benefits – sickness, parental leave etc.

ODI Europe is committed to developing and supporting diverse and inclusive teams of people who share our passion, where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We welcome applicants from a range of diverse backgrounds including those who experience intersectional marginalisation on the basis of their class, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious identity or belief, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We also welcome applications from those living with disabilities.

Application instructions

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