Interim Head of International Advocacy - Mat cover

About Concern:

Established in 1968, Concern is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern’s vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal – ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression.

Our culture is values driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on our goal of Reaching the Furthest Behind First. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and are enabled to succeed in their work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

Overview and Purpose:

This role is responsible for coordinating Concern’s global advocacy work. The Interim Head of International Advocacy directly manages three advocacy staff based in Dublin and shares management of both the advocacy leads in the UK and US (who each have a dotted line responsibility to the Head of International Advocacy).

Job Title: Interim Head of International Advocacy

Reports to: Director of Strategy, Advocacy and Learning (SAL)

Terms: Specified Purpose Contract (maternity cover), 50% hybrid in our Dublin 2 office

Location: ROI, Dublin

Salary: GB7 €70,088 - €77,875 pa

Closing date: 23/10/2026

Please be aware we may offer positions before the closing date.

Responsibilities:

Management of International Advocacy Team

- Line manage members of the International Advocacy Team (IAT) either directly or where a joint-management arrangement is in place. - Support IAT members, technical advisers and directors in technical advocacy and relationship management, both internally and externally.

Strategy

- Support implementation and monitoring of the new advocacy strategy across Concern. - Ensure workplans of the IAT prioritise country programme support to adopt the advocacy strategy and strengthen country level advocacy work.

Collaboration and Representation

- Work with key directorates – the International Programmes Directorate (IPD), Emergency Directorate (ED), and the Strategy, Advocacy and Learning (SAL) Directorate to support training and increase advocacy collaboration, in line with the organisational strategic plan and the advocacy strategy. - Support advocacy carried out by other key managers in the organisation, by providing key analysis and relevant high-quality guidence from the International Advocacy Team. - Work closely with the Communications Directorate and the CEO office to ensure advocacy positions and messages are reflected in the wider work of Concern. - Work with the Institutional Funding Support Unit (IFSU) and other fundraising units, to ensure effective donor engagement and advocacy. - Ensure that advocacy progress is measured, monitored and communicated clearly internally, and in relevant external reports. - Represent Concern effectively in key networks and with external partners and peers, with the aim of building strategic relationships and influence with key stakeholders. - Communicate and showcase advocacy initiatives and achievements internally and externally working with relevant teams. Role Holder Requirements:

• Extensive experience in leading and managing advocacy initiatives at an international level.

- Demonstrable track record in delivering successful advocacy outcomes at national and international level. - Extensive knowledge of humanitarian and development work in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. - Evidence of advocating on the main policy issues relevant to Concern and our work in fragile contexts. - Demonstrable leadership skills, including the ability to work cross-organisationally, and across sectors with external stakeholders. - Excellent conceptual and analytical skills, including the ability to analyse and produce effective policy demands for complex political and policy environments and international audiences. - Ability to think strategically, creatively and be evidence informed and led. - Third level qualifications in an appropriate discipline. - Availability to travel frequently as required. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Ability to communicate in French or Arabic is an advantage. - Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines, and willingness to work unsociable hours when required.

As this is a key leadership position, potential candidates are expected to demonstrate significant ability in the following areas:

Focusing on the most marginalised people

Communicating and influencing

Managing risk

Leading change

Making decisions

Driving performance

Leading by example

Removing barriers to delivery

Motivating and developing

Important Information:

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct supported by three Associated Policies: The Programme Participant Protection Policy, the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy accessible here. These have been designed to ensure the highest level of protection for everyone the organization engages through its work.

The policies set out the behaviours and responsibilities that Concern staff, and all its representatives (including consultants, contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers, partners, visitors, ambassadors and Board members) are expected to uphold. They also articulate Concern’s commitment to safeguarding and protecting adults and children from harm in all aspects of our work. We will therefore do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Consequently, working or volunteering with Concern may be subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

In this context, all staff and representatives of Concern have a responsibility to uphold the highest standards in their work, in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies.

Your Personal Data :

During this job application, you will provide Concern with your personal data. Concern takes its responsibilities towards this personal data very seriously and is committed to complying with all relevant data protection legislation.

For additional information please consult our web site or contact the Human Resource Division in our Head Office.

You have certain rights under data protection legislation. For more information on how to exercise those rights please visit www.concern.net/about/privacy