LATIN AMERICAN WOMEN’S RIGHTS SERVICE (LAWRS)

Job Description

JOB TITLE / Policy and Communications Coordinator – VAWG
REPORTS TO / Director of LAWRS
HOURS PER WEEK / 28 hours/week
CONTRACT / Fixed term, ending March 2019
SALARY / £28,475 per annum pro rata
RESPONSIBLE FOR / A small team of volunteers
OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Policy and Communications Coordinator - VAWG will develop, implement and coordinate LAWRS policy, advocacy and communications strategy with a focus on the Step Up for Migrant Women! campaign, which will involve a network of stakeholders. Step up for Migrant Women! is part of an international campaign developed in partnership with Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) and PICUM, the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants, both working at the EU level.

The Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS) will lead the UK national chapter of this campaign, with a focus on migrant women’s rights in the UK. The Policy and Communications Coordinator – VAWG will be primarily responsible for co-ordinating, supporting, developing and structuring the running of this campaign. The Policy and Communications Coordinator – VAWG will be proactive in the development of this campaign, working closely with different stakeholders and research partners.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.Design, plan and implement the Step Up for Migrant Women! campaign strategy, which aims to ensure safe reporting and access to services for migrant women survivors of VAWG, victims of crime, with insecure migration status.

2.Contribute to the development and overview the implementation of LAWRS’ communications strategy.

3.Influence positive change at the local, London, and national levels in the focus areas of the campaign.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Policy and campaigning

  • Manage the multiple components of the campaign programme to maximise impact - i.e. input from partners, volunteer advocates’ actions, media activities, direct representation, grassroots mobilisation, and alliances with key organisations and networks.
  • Organise, co-ordinate, and run workshops, discussion forums, conferences and events.
  • Actively promote the aims and goals of LAWRS and Step Up for Migrant Women! promoting and encouraging increased collaboration in between sectors (women, migrant, and others), with particular emphasis on recruiting representatives of under-represented groups.
  • Contribute to forge and maintain excellent links with key policy and relevant decision makers, including key parliamentarians and officials at national level, elected members and senior/key personnel of the GLA and Mayoral Office at London-wide level (e.g. MOPAC).
  • Identify and maximise on lobbying and advocacy opportunities related to the work of LAWRS and the campaign.
  • Represent LAWRS in meetings, fora, events, and with other contacts with opinion formers and decision-makers in government and other organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
  • Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of effective strategies and emerging technologies in advocacy, community organising and social change to inform the organization and campaign.
  • Respond to relevant government and stakeholders’ consultations relevant to LAWRS lobbying and campaigning agenda as identified.
  • Ensure that LAWRS is affiliated and is active within relevant networks and forums, as well as part of other existing campaigns to further, preserve or defend the rights of migrant women survivors of VAWG.
  • Ensure the participation of migrant women survivors of VAWG in all aspects of the campaign.

Communications

  • Working closely with LAWRS Director, to coordinate, develop, plan and implement LAWRS’ communications strategy with a focus on the Step Up for Migrant Women! Campaign, building on an astute analysis of the political, community and organisational environment.
  • Develop branding and marketing materials relevant to the campaign, including a short video.
  • Support the maintenance of core content of LAWRS’ website and coordinate content generation for the website with the rest of the team, and track web traffic against targets using Google Analytics.
  • Work in collaboration with LAWRS project coordinators to support LAWRS social media presence (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn)
  • Develop a work programme to structure and co-ordinate the communications work with research partners and relevant stakeholders involved in the Step Up for Migrant Women! Campaign.
  • Work closely with the researcher involved in the campaign.
  • Act as spokeswoman of the campaign in conjunction with the Director.

Other responsibilities

  • Manage and support volunteers and interns to increase reach and effectiveness of the work undertaken.
  • Oversee budget expenditure for the Step Up for Migrant Women campaign.
  • Act as main contact point for all internal and external enquiries regarding the Step Up for Migrant Women! campaign.
  • Deliver all aspects of this job description in accordance with LAWRS’ Equal Opportunities Policy.
  • To attend regular supervision, staff and other relevant meetings.
  • To attend and report to LAWRS' Management Committee meetings when required.
  • Undertake any other relevant duties or projects delegated by LAWRS’ Director within your capabilities as may be reasonably required.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS:
Essential requirements
Experience / Experience of high-level advocacy with decision-makers and a track record of gaining acceptance for policy from stakeholders
Experience of policy development in the UK and political judgement
Campaigning experience including experience of designing, implementing and managing campaigns
Experience of external representation to politicians, government officials and other decision-makers in the UK
Knowledge / Excellent knowledge of the issue of violence against women and girls (VAWG), including harmful practices, and the issues facing migrant women in the UK, and in London in particular, including Latin American women.
Knowledge of decision making processes at local, central and London levels in the UK.
Excellent English and Spanish, or English and Portuguese, both spoken and written.
Knowledge of WordPress, Google Analytics and social media tools.
Qualifications / Educated to degree level or equivalent
Skills / Advocacy skills, ability to persuade and influence
Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences, verbally and in writing
Ability to build and manage relationships and communications with organisations and stakeholders and work collaboratively with others
Strong representation skills and proven ability to network effectively
Ability to work in a team
Ability to manage a budget
Ability to plan, prioritise and manage own workload
Commitment to human rights, women’s rights and social change
Understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities
Desirable
Experience of working with coalitions or umbrella organisations
Experience responding to media enquiries
Experience managing volunteers.
Ability to speak and write in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.