The Orchid Project - Head of Policy and Advocacy by Oxford HR

Head of Policy and Advocacy December 2020 Head of Policy and Advocacy

Contents Welcome from Grethe Petersen

About Orchid Project

Values

Role Summary

Head of Policy & Advocacy

Role Description

Person Specification

Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion at Orchid Project

Safeguarding

How to Apply

About Oxford HR

Head of Policy and Advocacy

Welcome from Grethe Petersen CEO, Orchid Project Thank you for your interest in becoming our new Head of Policy & Advocacy at Orchid Project. This is a crucial role for the growth of our organisation.

and are open and transparent in our behaviours. We are seeking a team player, and someone with a positive outlook and drive for making a difference for girls and women.

At Orchid Project, we have a clear vision. We work towards a world free from female genital cutting (FGC) – something we believe is entirely possible. Every year, 4.1 million girls are cut as a result of the practice. We are a small but growing and dynamic charity with a proven track record of delivering programmes, advocacy and communications to end FGC.

Working for a smaller charity presents both opportunities and challenges. You need to take your job seriously, with the composure and experience to navigate complexity and yet be able to laugh at absurdity. No two days are the same, and we expect you to be an experienced professional who thrives in a constantly evolving environment.

This post is of great significance for us as we move to the next phase of our organisation with our new strategy. We are building the evidence to end the practice, strengthening the sector to attract resources and commitments, and working in partnership with organisations in practicing countries. We want to scale our work and increase the focus of ending the practice of cutting by 2030. To deliver on this promise requires us to inspire others to see their role in ending FGC. We need to continue working with partners and grow networks at global, regional and national levels.

In return we offer you an opportunity to contribute to an end to female genital cutting in an empowering and positive environment. Women’s issues are a global topic, and if you are passionate about our work then you will feel a great deal of personal satisfaction from knowing you are playing a significant role in supporting change. This role is an amazing opportunity for somebody with the significant policy and advocacy experience to move into a key position in an organisation which is clear and targeted in its mission. We want to evolve the sector by providing better partnerships and improving the methodology in impact and measurement which can be used by all. You will play a leading role in making this happen.

Orchid Project has a track record of success in advocacy since the organisation was established in 2011, and we have just produced our first policy brief. We are now looking for somebody with the skills and extensive experience to take this role to the next level for the organisation so we can grow and support a significant reduction in the number of girls who are being cut every year. This means that we need to achieve scale on our three areas of work: • Advocate for prioritisation and resources to end FGC • Share best practice, and communicate the scale and impact of FGC and how it is ending • Partner with grassroots and other organisations working towards abandonment in practising countries You will be reporting directly to me and working closely with all our teams. You will take responsibility for implementing our policy and advocacy strategy. You will help us move from an organisation that started forming partnership and networks and writing its first policy brief to the next phase where we want to evolve the existing work and support national advocacy platforms in five priority countries. You will be an excellent communicator and writer. We are looking for someone who is keen to lead our policy and advocacy effort and will be part of our senior management team. We are a nimble, effective and passionate team. We thrive on partnerships

You do not necessarily need prior experience in policy and advocacy on women’s rights in the global context, however, we do need a senior professional who is measured, composed, and driven. We will give you the platform to flourish and you will have the opportunity to grow with us as Orchid Project moves quickly into the next stage of its development. If this all sounds of interest then I welcome you to continue through this recruitment site and get in touch with Oxford HR, our recruitment consultants, to discuss your suitability. Thank you for considering Orchid Project and I look forward to meeting you at interview stage. With best wishes, Grethe Petersen CEO

Head of Policy and Advocacy

About Orchid Project Orchid Project has a vision of a world free from female genital cutting (FGC). We are a small but growing, dynamic not for profit organisation with a proven track record of delivering programmes, policy, advocacy and communications in support of an end to FGC. More than 4 million girls a year are subjected to female genital cutting. This involves partly or fully removal of a girl’s external female genitalia. In the short term, it can cause serious bleeding, infection and sometimes death. It dramatically disadvantages girls for the future: many girls never return to school and are often forced into early marriage. As well as the physical damage, cutting significantly curtails the education, incomes, and independence of women and girls. It is a fundamental breach of the human rights of women and girls, and it causes lasting health, education, economic and social harm. Many communities are ending cutting - and we know this can be accelerated to meet the world’s target of ending this practice by 2030 - but at the moment, the population is growing faster than the prevalence is falling, leading to a rising number of girls being cut each year. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, programme work to end cutting has been disrupted world-wide and an additional 2 million girls are now at risk of being cut in the next ten years according to UNFPA. Orchid Project works in three ways: • Advocating for resources and commitments to end FGC • Sharing best practice, and communicate the scale and impact of FGC and how it is ending • Partnering with grassroots organisations working towards abandonment in practising countries Orchid Project is currently a team of 10 full time staff. For additional information please visit our website.

Values We are collaborative, we are respectful, and we are open and accountable. All staff are expected to uphold Orchid Project’s values and work together to achieve transformational change.

Head of Policy and Advocacy

Role Summary The Head of Policy & Advocacy will take the initiative to drive all Orchid Project’s policy and advocacy, working closely with the CEO and Senior Management Team to develop strategy and plans for implementation. With knowledge and experience of policy and advocacy, you will be looking to bring your impressive expertise, proof of impact of your policy and advocacy work, as well as your enthusiasm to our thriving organisation. You will be able to inspire people with the vision of ending FGC, using your policy and advocacy experience to drive Orchid Project’s activities. You will be passionate about social change and making a real impact on the world, with valuable experience to bring to a growing charity. This is a key role for Orchid Project as we have expanded our ambition to accelerate resources and commitments to end female genital cutting. Previously, our Head of Policy & Advocacy has inspired new partnerships and written our first policy brief. We are now looking to grow and expand this work and to build a research function. This will require a person with significant gravitas, who will grow our exciting policy and advocacy work building on our considerable expertise and credible track record in this area, and who can provide leadership and strategic development of a new function. In particular, you will be able to: • make a compelling case for ending FGC to a variety of targeted audiences; influence at the highest levels across multilateral and bilateral stakeholders, as well as being able to make the case with very senior global representatives • demonstrate knowledge and a practical understanding of diverse forms of policy and advocacy and how a small NGO can effectively influence different frameworks

• building on Orchid Project’s considerable success in advocacy and beginning work on policy briefs, build a proactive strategy that can lead to lasting impact • translate the strategy into an achievable, tactical workplan, including working to develop the Policy and Advocacy Officer to support the movement in practising countries to achieve outcomes at a national and regional level • be politically astute and able to confidently navigate sometimes complex arenas with assuredness and clarity • develop and maintain lasting relationships with key stakeholders and influencers across different sectors and operate as a connector at different levels, working with politicians, policy makers, civil servants, donors, and other stakeholders. • provide compelling information and share knowledge with policy makers and civil servants, sometimes in the absence of data and evidence. • be able to use research and evidence strategically and tactically to make the case for ending FGC, provide valuable input on the collation and dissemination of supporting evidence and research, with a particular focus on integrating key messages into policy and meeting briefs. You will relish the opportunity of having a high level of responsibility for delivery within the organisation. You will be a thoughtful and supportive line manager who is invested in the development of your department. You will also be happy to share your knowledge and experience with the wider team to benefit the whole organisation. Excellent presentation and interpersonal skills, along with the ability to write and present persuasively and in an engaging manner, are essential. Confidence in public speaking, as well as the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously within a fast-paced environment is also vital.

Head of Policy and Advocacy

Head of Policy & Advocacy Responsible to

Chief Executive Officer

Conditions of service 37.5 hours per week 25 days annual leave per annum & public holidays 6 month probationary period Permanent contract Salary ÂŁ45,000 - ÂŁ52,000 per annum (plus benefits), depending on experience Line management responsibility

Line management of Policy & Advocacy Officer, Policy & Advocacy Manager (currently being recruited) and Communications Manager

Location London office, with home working. Nairobi would be considered. Applicants must have the right to work. Main working contacts Orchid Project colleagues, politicians, global stakeholders, civil society counterparts, policy stakeholders. Member of Senior Management Team Travel

Overseas travel will be required, with notice

Head of Policy and Advocacy

Role Description Policy and advocacy influencing Lead and develop the advocacy and policy priorities of the organisation so that Orchid Project maintains its prominent position in the sector, and in particular: • Executing and evolving a policy and advocacy strategy to help deliver the organisation’s ambitious three-year strategy from 2020 – 2023 • Develop and implement workplans that support the strategy, prioritising activity that makes the most impact, setting clear objectives and goals for lasting change, with particular emphasis on global advocacy initiatives. • Lead in building the organisation’s partnerships at global, regional and national levels in order to end FGC. • Lead and advise on the developing national and regional based advocacy in practising country contexts • Work to ensure that global, international and national policies are developed and influenced to reflect the importance of FGC, through traditional frameworks and through relationship building • Work with a wide range of influencers and stakeholders to maximise the positioning of FGC so that it is embedded as part of the SDG pathway • Reinforce advocacy activity with supportive policy briefs and statements • Engage with key policy instruments and policy frameworks where appropriate, including to ensure actions to end FGC is mainstreamed into broader policy initiatives across gender equality, gender based violence, violence against women and girls, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Capacity building and technical support • Work sensitively with our grassroots partners and civil society organisations globally to develop their advocacy, movement-building and policy influencing skills • Ensure your team build technical input to support in-country and regional implementation of advocacy and movement-building initiatives • Work with partner organisations to identify advocacy capacity building needs and develop relevant resources and toolkits to support this work

Communications • Support and develop the Communications Manager, ensuring they are equipped to deliver a strategic communications plan that meets the needs of our ambitious organisation Other tasks as they arise • Orchid Project is a small team in an entrepreneurial environment, and you may be required to undertake tasks outside of your job description from time to time. For example, we have an amazing network of Orchid Project Fellows who we want to support in their activist work to end FGC. You are likely to need to occasionally work evenings or weekends for events. Working relationships • Reporting to CEO • Part of the Senior Management Team • Working closely with other team members and Trustees to deliver policy and advocacy strategy • Working closely with various staff to deliver activities, events, and communications • Reporting to Orchid Project Board of Trustees as needed • Potentially managing and working with Orchid Project consultants External • Working closely with consortium and sector partners to deliver advocacy and policy work • High level politicians, global stakeholders, INGO colleagues, policy stakeholders, pro bono supporters

Head of Policy and Advocacy

Person Specification Essential • Significant experience in policy and advocacy work in human rights, women’s rights, international development or health sectors • Passionate about human rights of women and girls and excellent knowledge and understanding of different advocacy channels, with an ability to use these as part of a policy and advocacy strategy • Experience in developing and implementing high impact advocacy campaigns and strategies across influencing, research media and other approaches to influence governments and other audiences • Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills that include experience with coordination, consensus-building and working well with diverse groups in global settings. • Experience and confidence with influencers and politicians at an extremely high level • Experience of writing successful policy briefs and positioning papers • Excellent communicator, both written and oral – particular confidence in public speaking • Experience of managing and developing a department, including budget setting and management and staff development • Experience working online, with CRM software, in social media, and full office applications • Able to work on own initiative, with flexibility and as part of a team. Demonstrable leadership experience and commitment to supporting organisational goals, with thorough understanding of ‘big picture’ context and Orchid’s position within the sector • Fluent in English • Excited to work in small growing charity, able to think strategically and make robust decisions • Excellent organisational skills and ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines • Sometimes willing to work outside office hours or at weekends, happy to travel overseas, sometimes at short notice • Experience of working as part of a Senior Management Team Desirable • Experience of a similar human rights-based issue • Proficiency in French could be an asset, but not required • Deep familiarity with at least one country where FGC is practised • Experience in communicating and working with Board • Relevant professional qualification

Head of Policy and Advocacy

Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion at Orchid Project Orchid Project is committed to being actively anti-racist. We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Our recruitment will be ‘blind’, meaning that all personal information will be removed from applications before they are reviewed by the recruitment panel. We value lived experience and encourage you to apply even if you do not meet 100% of the person specification.

Safeguarding Orchid Project is committed to protecting children and vulnerable adults, staff, representatives and partners from any unwanted behaviour. All staff are expected to abide by Orchid Project’s Safeguarding Policy. Training will be provided as part of induction, and relevant background and criminal record checks will be carried out. By submitting your application, you confirm that you agree to these checks being performed and that you will provide all necessary information to support this. For further information regarding Safeguarding please visit here.

Head of Policy and Advocacy

How to apply All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button on the job advert page, complete our online application form, and submit your CV and cover letter. Please provide a CV and cover letter in two different documents. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit. The document should be saved in MS Word in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document NameDate (mmyyyy) e.g., Malika-Cook-CV-122020_OrchidProject. We strongly advise that you contact Oxford HR before applying for the role for an informal discussion about your suitability and the position. Timeline Closing date:

15th January 2021

Equality statement Equality and diversity are at the core of Orchid Project’s values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected. Selection Process All candidates will be notified about the status of their applications within 10 days of the closing date. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder. All correspondence should be directed to Oxford HR. Queries If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email orchidproject@oxfordhr.co.uk in the first instance.

Head of Policy and Advocacy

About Oxford HR Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and charity sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy. Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our client.

Head of Policy and Advocacy

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Head of Policy and Advocacy