Policy & Influencing Specialist: Civic Space

Do you want to fight for equality? Tackling inequality at its roots, together with colleagues, our partner organizations and activists in more than 90 countries? To change the systems behind it, once and for all!

Oxfam Novib stands behind the people who stand up for equality. Together, we fight for a world where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of gender, ethnicity or skin color. A world where everyone feels safe; where income gaps are shrinking instead of growing, where climate change is tackled in a firmer and more honest way.

Equality is the common thread in our work and projects, both internally and externally. We recognize that our team of colleagues can become even more diverse, and that only with a diverse team can we gain a broad perspective on the world. Therefore, we want to encourage everyone who hesitates to apply, no matter the reason. Our aim is to create an environment where everyone not only feels welcome, but where diversity is embraced and celebrated. Let’s strive together to build a team that offers a rich variety of perspectives, enabling us to achieve an inclusive and inspiring work environment.

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Programs Department

The Civic Space (CS) unit is part of the Oxfam Novib’s Programs Department working towards an inclusive (Equal), secure (Safe), equitable (Fair) and sustainable (Green) world in an efficient and effective manner, ensuring high quality. Feminist principles and social inclusion are leading its work. Civic space, gender justice and conflict sensitivity are mainstreamed. Our programs are driven by the voice of the people whose lives we seek to impact in order to achieve systemic changes.

Civic Space Unit

Together with the Equal Rights for All unit, the CS unit works on the Equal change goal, with the aim that “Every individual has equal rights and opportunities, and space to be heard, in an inclusive society over-riding differences such as gender, sexual orientation, ability, age, education, class, race, ethnicity or caste, religion and/or geography. A just and sustainable future where safe and vibrant spaces allow all people to hold the powerful to account and present their solutions to societal issues.”

The CS unit thrives on civil society rights and civic space, creating safe (digital) spaces, supporting civil society and movements and activist-human rights defenders in particular, to amplify the voices of the most marginalized and excluded in their struggle for an accountable State and a responsible Private Sector. This is a voice and rights-based goal, where we will work with partners to actively defend, reclaim, and expand civic space, bring the voice of impacted people to the table, and contribute to holding government and private/financial sector accountable. We accompany Oxfam country teams and partners in navigating civic space effectively.

Almost all Oxfam Novib’s projects and programs – across the world – are confronted with shrinking civic space and a decline of democracy. It results in increasingly challenging conditions for our operations and limiting our humanitarian assistance. It is affecting both our programs and our partners, especially Human Rights Defenders and activists while there is decreased funding for civic space and governance work.

Job Description
The Policy & Influencing Specialist: Civic Space contributes in providing technical support to the project of the EQUAL: Civic Space Unit. The position feeds into Oxfam’s civic space influencing work in the Netherlands, European and Global context. Contributes to project implementation, project development and to civic space mainstreaming.

The Policy & Influencing Specialist: Civic Space reports to the Unit Manager: Civic Space and maintains a functional relation with other project teams and the Engagement Unit. S/he/They is expected to work in different projects and assignments that are directly related to his/her/their other tasks. Oxfam Novib seeks flexibility from staff in the organisation to move from one project to another when needed.

Key responsibilities

• Provide technical and strategic advice and support including mainstreaming of civic space to Oxfam staff and partners, in influencing of government and private sector policy in the Netherlands, European and when relevant and needed Global.
• Contribute to advocacy/lobby/public engagement in the Netherlands and European contexts.
• Develop, contribute to, and implement influencing strategies and advocacy at Netherlands, European and when relevant and needed Global level based on (Oxfam Worldwide Influencing Network approach).
• Link country specific issues to regional and global actors and networks (e.g. the Government of the Netherlands, the European Commission, the OECD; relevant UN bodies), including relevant private sector.
• Contribute to the research, analysis and development of the civic space agenda (listed, but not limited to – Oxfam in Europe strategy etc.)
• Provide (capacity development and advisory) support on civic space topics to projects (to be determined) from the initiation, start-up, implementation and closure of projects.
• Share knowledge and produce knowledge materials about (mainstreaming of) civic space & rights, among which facilitate to analyze and develop new narratives.
• Contribute to relevant unit operational deliverables and output such as planning and reporting.

Who are we looking for?

You embrace feminist principles in your work; the importance of equality in partnerships between the ‘Global South’ and ‘Global North’ and able to reflect on your own perspective (‘positionality’) and that of others. You have an excellent command of the Dutch language, both spoken and written. You have A degree in a relevant field, preferably in international relations, law, development, political science, political economy or governance and at least 8 years’ experience working on defending and promoting civic space, human rights, democracy, social innovation in the context of government and private sector influencing. Experience and an excellent understanding of and skills in influencing (advocacy and lobby), including targeting multilateral institutions and private sector influencing. You have strong networking skills and relevant experience in working with and supporting movements and activists and have a vision of how movement building can help strengthen the rule of law and civic space and rights. Excellent analytical and writing skills and demonstrable ability to think strategically and innovatively. You are result-oriented; with strong skills in people management, planning and organizing, excellent communication skills. If you recognize yourself in the above description, we look forward to meeting you.

Working at Oxfam Novib

• All our work is guided by our core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Courage, Solidarity and Equality.
• At Oxfam Novib, we work according to the Feminist Principles – Oxfam Policy & Practice.
• Oxfam Novib is committed to offer you a motivating work environment at our offices in The Hague. We offer a one-year contract from start (including a 1-month trial period), with the possibility to extend.
• Oxfam Novib offers an attractive and honest benefits package, including a year-end allowance and yearly pay increase from the Collective Labor Agreement. Moreover, we offer complementary options to choose from. The salary range for this position is set in scale 9 with a salary range between €3.112,- and €4.688,- gross depending on experience, based on 36 hours a week.
• We are currently working hybrid (50% in the office in The Hague and 50% at home).
• Oxfam Novib is based on the power of difference. That is why we aim to attract a diverse mix of talented people who share our standards, values and principles, and who are committed to prevent and eliminate any type of misconduct.
• We have an active policy against sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, any form of abuse of power or lack of integrity and financial misconduct. This subject will be covered in our application and selection process.