Advocacy Officer, Ukraine

**This is a 2-year Fixed Term Contract position based in an IFAW office in the UK, Belgium, Germany, France or Netherlands**
**Staff work a hybrid schedule with 2 days/week in the office**
The Advocacy Officer will hold a key position in the Ukraine Rescue Project leading legislative strategy development and implementation to strengthen IFAW’s role in national and European Union (EU/EC) advocacy for Europe and international conservation and animal welfare policy in Disasters. While the primary focus of this person will be to raise animal welfare standards in Ukraine and bordering countries, he/she will also support existing IFAW European campaign staff and be involved in advocacy activities in support of IFAW’s Disaster Response and Risk Reduction (DRRR) policy programmatic outreach to European Institutions.

The Advocacy Officer will represent IFAW’s DRRR program and priorities by establishing, maintaining and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders (governmental bodies, NGOs, private sector, etc.) in Ukraine and its bordering countries at first but also European wide when needed. This person will look for opportunities for IFAW to lead in key legislative projects and in coalitions to advance critical conservation and animal welfare policy in the disaster response and risk reduction field.

The position will also support fundraising and communications initiatives for the program.

**Role and Responsibilities**
- Develop a thorough knowledge of the IFAW’s Disaster Response and Risk Reduction (DRRR) program and projects and represent the program in Ukraine and bordering countries as well as at EU institutions
- Identify where IFAW can take a leading role in legislative work, and where our engagement in coalitions can advance the conservation and animal welfare in disaster agenda in important ways focusing in Ukraine and bordering countries but also EU wide in coordination with the head of the EU policy and campaigns and European campaigns staff; Craft messaging, determine legislative targets, and help determine resource allocations for national and EU DRRR advocacy work
- Co-ordinate contacts and activities within Ukraine and bordering countries as well as in EU Member States, particularly focusing on identified ones where IFAW is not active to raise awareness and support for IFAW’s DRRR program
- Strategize and create action plans to advance legislative issues relevant to IFAW’s DRRR program in Europe in coordination with the Senior program officer for Europe and the head of the EU policy and campaigns when relevant
- Represent IFAW in NGO coalitions working on advocacy with national and EU instances on IFAW DRRR issues
- Organize briefings and/or EC office visits for IFAW international staff and senior leaders to advocate for DRRR animal welfare and conservation funding and policy
- Contribute to planning, reporting and evaluating IFAW EU DRRR work in Ukraine and bordering countries in coordination with the project manager and the Senior program officer for Europe; This includes overseeing associated expenditure and budgets
- Prepare and disseminate important legislative information relevant to IFAW DRRR program priorities to the EU team and project manager
- Develop knowledge of, and keep abreast of relevant conservation and animal welfare issues
- Represent IFAW by participation in meetings, conferences, public events and media interviews in Ukraine and bordering countries at first as well as in other European countries when relevant
- Maintain a positive and professional approach when in contact with the media, politicians, representatives from the government and international intuitions, and other NGOs
- In coordination with the project manager and the Senior program officer for Europe, represent IFAW on DRRR program issues to the private sector, public sector, academic, and non-governmental community as appropriate.
- Assist, when needed, the Program and Communications teams to develop external communications strategy to support branding and public outreach through Eastern European media
- Assist in drafting and production of materials, including reports, articles, web content, and presentations to promote Ukraine rescue project, fundraising and IFAW’s image and branding.
- Provide input for IFAW’s Digital and Development departments to assist in the development of fundraising appeals related to DRRR program in Europe
- Provide input for IFAW’s Development and Operations departments on government and/or international funding proposals related to DRRR program in Europe

**Qualifications and Education Requirements**
- Bachelor’s (B.A./B.Sc.) or equivalent in natural resources, Public policy, Law, Biology, Education preferred. Advanced degree ideal
- Experience of at least 3 to 5 years in campaigns and advocacy and sound knowledge of EU institutions and processes such as EC or other legislative experience and/or education, preferably involving conservation and/or animal welf