INTRODUCTION TO GIRLS NOT BRIDES
Girls Not Brides is the only global organisation uniquely focused on creating and sustaining a worldwide movement to end child marriage and ensuring that this movement leads to tangible change for the girls at risk or affected by the practice. We are a network of more than 1,600 civil society organisations in over 100 countries working in partnership to end child marriage.
Our vision is a world without child marriage where girls and women enjoy equal status with boys and men and are able to achieve their full potential in all aspects of their lives. Our vision challenges deeply embedded social norms that harm the lives of girls, women and their communities.
INTRODUCTION TO THE ROLE
Girls Not Brides is seeking an experienced member engagement and partnership development professional. We are looking for someone who has a passion for relationship building and stakeholder engagement and who has experience in supporting, facilitating, and strengthening civil society movements and/or membership organisations. This role sits in the Learning and Partnership Development Team, which works in close coordination with our regional teams, to support and strengthen collective action across our membership, ensuring that collective action on CEFMU is effective and evidence based, by providing learning opportunities to members and National/State Partnerships and coalitions.
The main responsibilities of the role is to lead on the development and implementation of Girls Not Brides’ global member engagement strategy and value-add to members and support regional teams as needed in their work with members and National and State level Partnerships and coalitions. The successful applicant will work closely with regional teams (which are based in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean) to ensure that Girls Not Brides members benefit from their membership of the Global Partnership and that collective action through National/State Partnerships and coalition is effective.
Job Location
New Delhi (India), or Nairobi (Kenya).
The successful candidate must specify the country for which they are applying and must have the right to work in that specific country upon applying.
Working as a global team, all Girls Not Brides team members may from time to time be expected to work outside normal working hours (e.g. early morning or early evening) this is not an regular occurrence and is only to accommodate collaboration of teams across different time zones.
Accountable to
Head of Learning and Partnership Development (UK-based)
Salary Range
Market competitive based on a detailed survey by the Birches Group of comparable NGO salaries in selected location.
Contract
2-year fixed term contract. The successful candidate will predominantly work from home, with IT and communication equipment and support provided by Girls Not Brides. Depending on the needs of the organisation there may also be a requirement to work from our Hub location (hybrid working with a potential of working three days a week on site). They must have the right to work in their country of residence.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead on Girls Not Brides global member engagement
- Working with Regional Teams, contributes to develop and implement a clear member engagement strategy to bring enhanced co-ordination, clear prioritisation and greater effectiveness and value added to the work Girls Not Brides does to support its diverse membership base.
- Works with Regional Teams to develop, implement and document successful member engagement approaches and best practice to increase participation, engagement and collaboration among members.
- In close collaboration with Regional Teams, leads on the development and delivery of a global ‘offer’ (available across all regions) to Girls Not Brides members which is informed by members’ priorities and needs. This includes opportunities for (peer-to-peer) learning, collective strategiaing and action, fundraising, and capacity strengthening.
- Works with the Senior MEAL for Partnership and Impact Officer in assessing, monitoring and evaluating the member engagement opportunities and ensuring the Girls Not Brides secretariat is accountable to its members. Also ensures that Girls Not Brides Secretariat continuously learns and innovates on best practices on member engagement.
- Ensures the Girls Not Brides secretariat consistently engages with its members through thematic member working groups, Communities of Practices and Member Advisory Committee(s).
- Contributes to Girls Not Brides’ communications with members, including though membership monthly newsletters.
- In close collaboration with the Development and Outreach Team, support work aimed at brokering strategic partnerships with donors and funding mechanisms to ensure Girls Not Brides members have increased opportunities to funding and coordinates the development of resources to build the capacity of members to access funding.
- Works closely with Regional Teams and Member Engagement Associate to ensure the Girls Not Brides membership is diverse and inclusive and represents those most affected and at-risk.
Work with Regional Teams to ensure a strategic approach for Girls Not Brides’ work with National/State Partnerships and coalitions.
- Supports the Head of Learning and Partnership Development and Regional Teams in developing new engagement models for National/State Partnerships and coalitions in line with the Global Partnership Strategy 2021-2025, including strategic expansion and deepening of the work with National Partnerships and ensuring sustainability of National Partnerships and coalitions.
- Works closely with Regional Teams to ensure members are able to address key challenges in collective work and partnership building, through the development of key tools and resources to support partnership building (e.g. partnership development manual, how to guides, MOUs, etc.)
- Supports the learning and development of new approaches to support movement building, including synthesising lessons learned from other movements working on relevant issues.
- Leads on developing and implementing effective and innovative learning and knowledge sharing approaches for National Partnerships and coalitions, such as twinning programmes, exchange visits, learning convenings, etc.
- Works closely with regional teams to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and mentoring between National Partnerships and coalitions across different countries and regions.
- Supports Regional Heads and the Head of Learning and Partnership Development in ensuring that Girls Not Brides is demonstrating leadership and experience on movement building and catalysing collective action on ending child marriage.
- Acts as primary liaison for a small number of Girls Not Brides National Partnerships and coalitions in selected countries, ensuring the cultivation of strong relationships between National Partnerships and the Girls Not Brides Secretariat.
Actively contribute to the broader work of the Learning and Partnership Development Team
- Supports on other organisational member and partnerships functions as requested e.g., supporting events and members meetings, updating the MEL trackers with relevant member data, annual work planning, etc.
- Supports the Learning and Partnership Development team with the development of briefs, resources and other learning materials when requested.
- Contributes to development of funding proposals as requested.
External engagement and representation
- Contributes to Girls Not Brides’ thought leadership by representing the organisation at relevant spaces, conferences, and partnerships.
- Participates in relevant member engagement and partnership working groups and follow up new emerging member engagement and movement building initiatives in the sector.
- Represents the Girls Not Brides Secretariat in interaction with members and external stakeholders as requested.
Wider responsibilities of Girls Not Brides team members
- Commit to the mission and vision of Girls Not Brides, putting them at the forefront of all planning, work, and actions.
- Uphold the core values of Girls Not Brides in all areas of work and interactions with colleagues, member organisations, partners, and other stakeholders.
- Comply with Girls Not Brides policies and processes, with particular attention to safeguarding, the code of conduct and data protection.
- Ensure that internal databases and monitoring information are kept fully up to date.
- Commit to ongoing personal development and learning.
- Fulfil any other reasonable requests for the advancement of Girls Not Brides.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential experience
- Degree in a relevant area, such as social science, development studies, international relations, human rights or gender, or relevant proven professional experience.
- Prior experience of working with a wide range of civil society organisations – from international NGOs to small grassroots organisations; knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing civil society organisations working to promote a child rights/gender equality agenda.
- Experience in member and stakeholder engagement, either through working in a similar membership-based organisation or other relevant organisations.
- Experience in engaging with civil society coalitions, alliances or networks and an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities presented by coalition working.
Essential skills and knowledge
- A good understanding of best practices around movement building and member engagement.
- Strategic thinker, capable of connecting member engagement issues with other areas of work including communications, influencing and learning.
- Excellent communication, networking and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to persuade and inspire others.
- Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Strong ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner.
- Ability to deal with competing demands, multiple priorities, time constraints and unanticipated events.
- Fluent written and spoken English.
- Ability to build strong relationships while working remotely with civil society organisations.
- Strong project management skills.
Essential values and attributes
- Strong commitment to the mission and values of Girls Not Brides including understanding of gender-transformative approaches to empower girls and women and support gender equality.
- Skilled team worker with an inclusive and collaborative approach, in line with Girls Not Brides’ values.
Desirable
- Understanding of child, early and forced marriage and unions from a feminist perspective and good linkages with key actors working to address CEFMU.
- Deep knowledge and experience of gender and its application in programme and network spaces.
- Knowledge of French, Hindi, Kiswahili, Spanish, Portuguese, or other relevant languages are an advantage.
Safeguarding
Girls Not Brides is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk with whom our staff and representatives work and interface. Any employment with Girls Not Brides may be subject to the satisfactory completion of a background check and a criminal records check which can include but is not limited to: an overseas police record check, a Disclosure and Barring Service Check (for those based in the UK) or an International Criminal Record Check (if applicable).
Diversity at Girls Not Brides
Girls Not Brides is an equal opportunities employer. We embrace diversity, equal opportunity and inclusion in a serious way. We are committed to building a staff body that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.
How to apply
The closing date for this role is 26 April 2023, 23:59 UK time.
To apply, please go to the job page and submit your CV and a brief cover letter (in English) clearly demonstrating how you meet the criteria.
We regret that due to the large number of applications anticipated, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.