End Austerity Campaign Coordinator (for Wellspring Fund project)
In October 2020, six months into the pandemic, more than 500 civil society organizations and academics from all over the world published an open letter calling on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stop promoting austerity and instead advocate policies that advance gender justice and human rights, reduce inequality, and decisively put people and planet first. In 2021, over 20 signatory organizations from the Global South and the Global North decided to form the #EndAusterity coalition, to share research and information, develop joint advocacy strategies, and amplify national and global struggles and voices to push back against the looming threat of austerity that is being promoted by IFIs as the only way for economic recovery for the Global South. Later, the coalition became a campaign which was officially launched by convening an EndAusterity Activism Festival in September 2022, and has set up a governance structure, working groups, and website, as well as developed a strategy, theory of change, and political statement.
Its core membership is made up of 20+ organizations which include: Accion contre la Faim, ActionAid, Arab Watch Coalition, Bretton Woods Project, Christian Aid, Center for Economic and Social Rights, Debt Justice, E3G, Equidad de Género, Erlassjahr, Eurodad, the Fight Inequality Alliance, Financial Transparency Coalition, Global Social Justice, Human Rights Watch, INESC-Brasil, ITUC, IWRAW-AP, Latindadd, Oxfam International, Recourse, Shirakat, Third World Network, Wemos, and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.
The governance structure of the coalition includes an elected Steering Committee and working groups. Thanks to new funding, the coalition is now able to hire a full-time Campaign Coordinator to support the building of the campaign and the implementation of the campaign activities in the coming two years.
The campaign coordinator will be hosted by Equidad de Género: Ciudadanía, Trabajo y Familia A.C, and their work will be jointly supervised by Equidad and the End Austerity Steering Committee.
Having a dedicated coordinator will significantly facilitate coordinating members, following up on meetings, organizing internal capacity-sharing events, ensuring the implementation of the action plan, including mobilizing members, and representing the Campaign with allies among other things. The coordinator will also lead on further developing the internal procedures and bylaws governing the campaign. This will free up the Steering Committee to focus on strategic direction and advocacy.
This role will be critical in enhancing the ability of the campaign to work together more effectively and streamline the coordination between different groups and parts of the coalition. Through supporting and solidifying the #EndAusterity campaign, the role will contribute in forming a global critical mass that will push against austerity on the national, regional and international levels.
This critical mass of organizations and movements will work to break away from austerity as the default response of governments and international financial institutions to economic crises, to be replaced by a policy paradigm that is rights-based, care-centered, decolonial, feminist and just.
Responsibilities
Convene regular campaign meetings (General assembly and steering committee), including setting the agenda, and notes, and reaching out to members and follow-ups.
Lead the efforts to strengthen the structure of the campaign through proposing improvements to bylaws/structure, supporting members in setting up regional hubs, and ensure members’ active engagement in the campaign.
Coordinate and lead on the implementation of the campaign activities featured in the project entitled: “Towards a Global Movement to End Austerity for the People and the Planet”.
Support the implementation of (online and in-person) workshops and public events, including logistics and media outreach, led by campaign members under the banner of the End Austerity Campaign.
Lead on organizing and strategizing meetings online and face-to-face for the Campaign.
Lead the organizing of the annual End Austerity Activism Festival, based around the Annual Meetings of the WB and the IMF in October 2023, and a chosen date in 2024.
Maintain regular contact with campaign members, Steering Committee, and working groups.
Closely coordinate and work with the coordinator of the project “Towards ending austerity for a fair, inclusive and just recovery” hosted by the Campaign member Arab Watch Coalition.
With the support of the media and communication officer, ensure the regular update of the End Austerity website, as well as sending out a regular (e.g. bi-weekly or monthly) newsletter/update email to campaign members with events, activities, and updates from the campaign.
Keep updated the repository of all materials of the EndAusterity campaign and upload new resources to the website.
Lead on hiring external consultants such as translators, researchers, etc., monitor and followup on their work.
Set up and maintain an online calendar of advocacy opportunities combining national, regional, and international levels.
Support with dissemination of campaign materials - coordinate with comms working group.
Support the Steering Committee with the campaign budget.
Experience and skills
Minimum of 3 years of experience in successfully running a public campaign or public relations (media, social media, stunts, marketing etc.)
A minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in either one of the following functional areas: policy and advocacy at the global level; project management; public campaign management.
Working knowledge of economic justice issues that are relevant to the Global South such as austerity and debt justice/financing for development/public services.
Understanding of the role of International Financial Institutions in the global economy.
Experience coordinating diverse stakeholders across time zones and geographic scopes (e.g. international and regional/local groups).
Demonstrated experience in developing communications materials for various audiences, including e.g. the general public, policymakers, press
Excellent writing skills in English, other languages (Spanish, Arabic, French) a plus Design & visual skills, (social) media savvy, basic web design/maintenance skills
High integrity, excellent conceptual and team relations skills.
Strategic, action-oriented mindset - highly organized and a go-getter
What we offer
Work from anywhere, preferably the Global South - role will be hosted by Equidad de Género (México).
Work with a large group of leading economic justice civil society organizations at global and local levels
High-impact, high-visibility work environment, opportunity to help build a new global campaign from the ground up.
Full time for 24 months (renewal is possible depending on funding), starting as soon as possible.
Application process
Please submit your resume, cover letter and links of your work, and include your preferred times for interviews: dvelez@equidad.org.mx
Interviews will be conducted on Zoom in English
Desired Start Date: Immediate
Deadline to apply is March 29, 2024