Head of Policy CONCORD

European NGO Confederation for Relief and Development

Brussels, Belgium

CONCORD is the confederation of European relief and international development Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Its 27 national associations and 20 international networks represent over 1800 NGOs. CONCORD facilitates lobby and advocacy on key development issues at European level and regularly engages in dialogue with European institutions, policy makers and civil society organisations. CONCORD is a member-led, pan-European confederation with a Brussels-based secretariat at the service of its governance and constituency. Its members are national NGO platforms (based in the capitals of EU member states) and European/global NGO networks (with offices in Brussels).

CONCORD is recruiting a Head of Policy for its Brussels-based Secretariat. The successful candidate will lead CONCORD’s policy department and be a key member of the management team of CONCORD. Please read carefully the Terms of Reference (below) for the position before applying.

Terms of Reference

REPORTING TO: Director
DEPARTMENT: Policy
GRADE: Manager/Coordinator
DATE: January 2013
POSITION STATUS: 80%, permanent 

KEY CONTACTS (internal & external): Director, Management Team, CONCORD staff, CONCORD Board, CONCORD members, EU officials

MAIN PURPOSE

To manage and coordinate CONCORD’s policy and advocacy agenda ensuring that CONCORD delivers on its stragegic objectives, thatpolicy staff are enabled to perform their roles in a consistent manner and that CONCORD’s members are fully engaged in achieving common EU influencing goals through the various policy working groups.

To play an active role in the functioning and management of the organisation, through her/his membership in the Management Team (minimum 25% of working time).

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage the policy department overall by overseeing and planning and implementation of agreed strategies, monitoring and evaluating implementation of CONCORD’s strategic multi-annual plan and annual plans, supervising staff and managing directly and indirectly the working groups. Act as a senior adviser to the Director and to the Board on policy issues. Be responsible for institutional relations and dialogue. As a member of the Management Team, be co-responsible for achievement of organizational mission and goals, and for the process of operational annual planning.

PERSON STATEMENT

The post holder must have a background in influencing EU policy, highly developed networking skills, experience of strategic decision making and managerial experience.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• People management skills through direct line management or project management experience;
• Excellent inter-personal and networking skills;
• Fluent English and working level French;
• Knowledge of how to influence EU decision-making processes;
• Insight into how effective organizations function;
• Strong time-management and teamworking skills.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Education to degree level in a relevant discipline;
• At least 5 years experience in a team/project/process management role requiring strategic oversight beyond immediate area of work;
• Experience of managing and motivating people;
• Experience of influencing EU development/human rights/foreign policy or other external policies relevant to development policy;
• Experience of managing complex negotiation processes in a membership based organization would be a distinct advantage;
• Monitoring and Evaluation experience;
• Experience of working in a non-governmental organization would be an advantage;
• Experience of working in an international group and/or multi-cultural environment would be desirable.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Management of the Policy Department

• Management of Policy officers including financial and budget responsibility for the department, performance and day-to-day management of staff following common policies for line management of staff, supervision of policy officers in relation to content and strategy regarding the working groups, their issues and advocacy agendas;
• Convening the CONCORD Policy Forum (including EU presidencies, dialogue with institutions…), and Conveners Forum (coordination body for the CONCORD working structures);
• Leading in the annual planning process, including support to the Annual Planning Commission;
• In coordination with the communication team, ensuring consistency, relevance and appropriateness of CONCORD approaches to decision makers and media;
• Monitoring and evaluating CONCORD’s policy work against the annual and multi-annual indicators.

Senior advisor on policy issues to Director and Board

• Ad-hoc participation in Board meetings (on relevant thematic sessions and on request);
• Linking with the Board members in charge of respective portfolios.

Institutional relations and dialogue

• Responsible for the overall coordination and preparatory work for CONCORD high level dialogue with EU institutions, namely:
  • CONCORD bi-annual meetings with the European Parliament (EP) political coordinators;
  • CONCORD meetings with the Council, DG Development /Cabinet/Commissioner;
  • EC Policy Forum on Development.
• Coordination processes with other Civil Society Sectors:
  • EU CSO group on International development;
  • Spring Alliance;
  • Relations with CONCORD related projects on relevant policy issues.

Conditions of Employment:

• Post based in Brussels, Belgium;
• Permanent position (80%);
• Gross salary for 80% working time ranges, depending on experience, from 2,900€ to 4,430€/month (13.8 months a year). CONCORD also provides hospitalisation insurance, meal vouchers and a monthly commuting allowance on local public transport or by bicycle.

To Apply:

Please send the cover letter and CV in English only, by e-mail: louise@localknowledge.be.
Please include the position (CONCORD - Head of Policy) plus your name in the title of the email.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing Date: 20th January 2013
Interviews dates: 24th – 28th January 2013 (tbc)
Aimed start date: As soon as possible (February)