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RESPONSIBLE TO: Campaigns and Networks Director
LOCATION: Rue de la Pépinière 10A
1000 Brussels
Belgium
HOURS Full time (38 hours per week). Evening and weekend work will be required from time to time.
SALARY €43,000‐€48,000 (including 13th month and holiday pay)

PURPOSE

As a member of the Campaigns and Networks team:

  • Coordinate Fair Trials legal expert networks in Europe (LEAP) to maximise its impact in advancing the charity’s mission;
  • Ensure Fair Trials’ advocacy makes the most of the engagement of LEAP and wider movements in Europe, playing a lead role in media work; and
  • Act as an ambassador for Fair Trials in Europe.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Management of the Legal Experts Advisory Panel (LEAP)

Working with the Campaigns and Networks Director and LEAP Advisory Board to develop a strategy for LEAP which actively engages members in advancing Fair Trials’ mission.

Implementation of the strategy, working with the rest of the Fair Trials team, including:

  • Management of the European Commission grant including leading on reporting and periodic grant‐renewal applications;
  • Annual work‐planning and monitoring delivery of work;
  • Ensure an appropriate two‐way information flow between Fair Trials and LEAP, including by coordinating regular calls with the LEAP Advisory Board, including on emerging issues across Europe which impact Fair Trials’ mission;
  • Coordinate regional LEAP events, including the LEAP annual conference;
  • Coordinate the activities of LEAP working groups on specific topics;
  • Lead on the production of the “Justice in Europe” Annual Report and other LEAP documents; and
  • Coordinate LEAP work on local initiatives related to the right to a fair trial through press work, participation in local events and any other relevant activity.

Working with the Legal & Policy team to engage LEAP members in initiatives that team is working on and sharing information from that team’s work with LEAP members.

Working with the Campaigns and Networks team to engage LEAP members in core communications work that advances Fair Trials’ mission.

Engagement in Fair Trials’ Advocacy

Work with the Campaigns and Networks Director to:

  • Ensure advocacy plans recognise the role of engaging effective networks in Europe, including by consulting LEAP members on advocacy plans;
  • Map key networks and develop tactics to engage them; and
  • Monitor and report on the impact of LEAP in advancing advocacy goals.

Implement work to engage LEAP in advancing advocacy priorities, including:

  • Shaping LEAP activities to contribute to advocacy goals;
  • Initiating and developing relationships with partner organisations and other networks to support effective collaboration;
  • Engaging key stakeholders in coordinated advocacy, including through joint events, statements and other forms of collaboration;
  • Producing (and coordinating the production of) content designed to build LEAP engagement in advocacy – written materials, blogs, newsletters and talks by LEAP members; and
  • Managing ongoing coordination of advocacy with partners.

Supporting the Campaigns and Networks Director to deliver media coverage that furthers Fair Trials’ advocacy goals by:

  • Keeping abreast of news stories and themes (including on non‐traditional news platforms and social media) that are relevant to LEAP;
  • Actively selling Fair Trials stories and expert comment relevant to LEAP to the media;
  • Drafting and distributing press releases, media comments, features and letters;
  • Building a network of press contacts in Europe and stewarding relationships with journalists.

Identify and respond to emerging opportunities and risks for the advancement of advocacy goals, including by monitoring of media and gathering input from LEAP and wider networks.

Drafting content related to European campaigns, including engaging reports and articles for Fair Trials' website.

Ambassadorial role

  • Represent Fair Trials’ and LEAP at events targeted at key stakeholders, including the governmental and policy community, as well as the broader public;
  • As appropriate, representing Fair Trials in the media;
  • Represent Fair Trials in other European networks where this advances Fair Trials’ mission.

Other

  • Working with the Campaigns and Networks Team to help in the delivery of effective communications activities;
  • Support the development of fundraising applications for LEAP and reporting to funders;
  • Carry out any other duties commensurate with the post.

Person Specification

Essential

  • At least five years’ experience of managing transnational advocacy and/or network focused projects – ideally EC funded;
  • Experience of working on and/or relevant academic qualifications in European criminal justice reform;
  • Educated to at least degree level in a relevant field;
  • Fluency in English;
  • Ability to communicate accurately and persuasively both verbally and in writing;
  • Experience in strategic communications and advocacy, including the development of campaign plans;
  • Practical organisational and logistical management skills;
  • Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with people across and beyond the organisation;
  • Demonstrable experience of media work, including acting as a spokesperson, and experience of press briefing and building relationships with journalists;
  • The ability to work well under pressure, and to absorb and articulate clearly new information quickly;
  • Excellent time management and the ability to work proactively and independently;
  • High degree of attention to detail, particularly in producing written communications;
  • A team player and willingness to be flexible according to the current demands of the organisation;
  • Must have permission to work in Belgium.

Desirable

  • Experience of working under and applying for European Commission grants;
  • Knowledge of another European language would be advantageous.

About Fair Trials

Fair Trials is an international human rights NGO, which exists to build respect for the human right to a fair trial in criminal cases. We have grown gradually over the past five years and have an established track‐record as a trusted voice on criminal justice. We have 20 staff across offices in London, Brussels and Washington DC, and are in the process of increasing the geographical reach of our work.

Fair Trials Europe

Fair Trials has become a leading contributor to exciting developments in the field of criminal justice across the European Union. Fair Trials Europe was established as a nonprofit public foundation in Belgium in 2014, to act as Fair Trials’ hub of expertise in Europe. It is, itself, at the heart of an engaged EU‐wide network of over 200 criminal justice and human rights experts (the Legal Experts Advisory Panel, LEAP) which it coordinates.

Salary and conditions

The post of Networks and Advocacy Officer is full time. The gross salary is €43,000‐ €48,000 per year (including 13th month and holiday pay). The role is based in Brussels.

To apply

Please send a CV and cover letter electronically to recruitment@fairtrials.net no later than 5pm on 1st March 2020. Applications received after this will not be considered. Please clearly include your name and “Networks and Advocacy Officer” in the subject field of the email.

Your CV and cover letter should include

  • Your name and contact details;
  • Your educational history, including universities/colleges attended with dates and significant qualifications obtained;
  • Your employment history, including all significant posts you have held – with dates, the names of the employers, and a description of the main duties, together with your present or most recent salary, and your contractual notice period. (You should also explain any significant gaps, e.g. covered by travelling, self‐employment etc.);
  • An explanation of why you would like the job; the qualities you would bring to it; how you would approach the task if you were you awarded the post;
  • The names and contact details of two referees who know your work, who may be contacted if you are short‐listed;
  • Information about how you learned of the post.

If you have any queries, please send them to the same email address.

The selection process

We will aim to inform short‐listed candidates by week commencing 9th March 2020, with interviews for short‐listed candidates being held in Brussels during week commencing 16th March 2020. For those unable to attend the interview in person, Skype interviews may be possible. The recruitment process will involve an interview and a written exercise.

Fair Trials is conducting this appointment on equal opportunity principles and will welcome applications from candidates who can fulfil the requirements of the post irrespective of race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.

The personal data which you have provided, and which we may request, in connection with your application, will not be retained beyond 12 months should your application be unsuccessful. If you are appointed, your personal data will only be used for the purposes of human resources management.

this job offer is not open for applications