The Goal Unit Fair: Fair Value Chains & Food Systems is part of the Programs Department. The purpose of the Programs Department is to achieve impact by shaping policies, designing thematic strategies, supporting, managing and implementing our programs/projects and global, regional and national level campaigns that help achieve our 10 year vision (Manifesto 2030). The Fair Value Chains & Food Systems Unit is responsible for our work on pressuring the Dutch and international private and financial sector to ensure that power and profits are shared fairly between financiers, companies, traders, and the people who produce or consume; that compliance to business, human rights and sustainability standards is the norm. We need to ensure a living income, decent work, and secure rights for small holders and workers who are key in feeding the world. We will work towards a radical shift of the share of power, profits, and value in food systems & value chains in favour of (women) small-scale food producers, workers and their communities. To achieve this, we will take a systemic approach addressing actors in these chains, and generate expertise around key topics like living wage, living income, land rights, gender, and alternative business models. The Unit provides thought leadership on what fair food systems look like, and how to build a human economy through a fairer global food system.
Description of the role
In this role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing advocacy and campaigning that convinces businesses, and other decision makers, to make rapid progress on human rights and our environment, in line with the UNGPs and the OECD Guidelines. The focus of the role is on direct engagement with companies and campaigning towards businesses in the food sector. The position also includes direct advocacy towards government actors, with the aim to bring about progressive mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence (mHREDD) regulations. You will be asked to lead, or support, the design and implementation of influencing or campaigning strategies, programmes and initiatives, in the Netherlands, the EU but also in other countries or globally. You should be comfortable with a range of influencing and campaigns tactics aimed at shifting private sector policy and practice in the realm of human rights and the environment. We are looking for someone with a good understanding of business and human rights, and with an affinity for HR impact assessments and practical means of assuring transparency, accountability and equality within supply chains.
Expectations of the Business and Human Rights Policy Lead
The person we are looking for has an affinity with influencing in the Netherlands and has an influencing track-record in the global South. We are looking for an excellent communicator, with proven spokesperson experience in both English and Dutch. You have affinity with detailed and accurate research work needed to underpin our influencing, but you are also capable of distilling the main messages and killer facts needed to mobilise our supporters. You get energy from speaking to large audiences, and to the media. You are able to write well-articulated opinion articles for newspapers. You will work closely with policy advisors and campaigners in a multi-disciplinary team. You can find a balance between different angles and stakeholders and are comfortable directly engaging the private sector. You have a passion for advocacy and campaigning and are a creative thinker who enjoys innovating but at the same time is organized and can deliver a project with high standards. You are able to convey the unique value of our work to potential donors, both verbally and in writing. You are comfortable working across cultures and geographies and are motivated to work in a global network of allies and Oxfam offices, to drive systemic change across agricultural value chains. The person we’re looking for is knowledgeable about the agro-food system and value chains, including areas such as women’s, workers’ and farmers’ rights and mHREDD.
Main tasks
- Leads and/or contributes to the development of evidence-based policy propositions, advocacy strategies and research, in coordination with Oxfam teams, country offices, partners and allies towards private and public actors
- Leads and/or contributes to the development of international private sector food campaigns and associated company influencing strategies.
- Advocates the agreed evidence-based policy positions toward the relevant decision makers from the private sector and governments in the Netherlands, and internationally by means of conversations, letters, and engagement with (online) media.
- Networks with private sector representatives, government officials, politicians, NGOs, academia, the media and other civil society actors.
- Writes and/or manages the production of policy briefings, media articles and/or research
- Keeps abreast of relevant literature and engages in debates and networks with relevant stakeholders in order to gain and share knowledge and stay up-to-date about the developments in the private sector in general and the food sector in particular
- Initiates and works together on the development of new projects and programs related to area of expertise that could be funded by back donors and ensures quality delivery of agreed outcomes with existing back donors.
- Acts as spokesperson for Oxfam Novib and represents Oxfam Novib in relevant external fora and in the engagement with governments, private sector actors, the Dutch public, the Dutch media and other relevant stakeholders.
- Contributes to fundraising, initiation, start-up, realisation, closing and reporting of projects and the documentation of project knowledge for program development, institutional fundraising and/or innovation purposes
- Applicants must be a National of a European Union member State or have a valid work permit for the European Union and possess travel permits.
Skills, Experience and Abilities required for the job
- At least 5 years of work experience in the field of advocacy and campaigning at national (Dutch) and global level;
- Good knowledge and understanding of global food systems and global business and human rights frameworks
- Proven analytical and strategic skills
- Strong communication, influencing and convincing skills and a track record of achieving advocacy results
- Leadership skills and experience with leading and coordinating cross-country teams
- Team player and accustomed to working in complex working environments
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) in Dutch and English, French or Portuguese is a good asset.
- Strong networking and influencing skills, accompanied by a strong relevant network with civil servants, politicians, private sector parties, media and other advocacy actors.
- Experience in program and project development & management and external fundraising
- Have a results-oriented approach;
- Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, prioritize, meet deadlines, and hold self and others to account;
- Willingness to travel abroad;
- A network with donor agencies is an asset, while also knowledge of the Oxfam confederation will be considered an asset.
Scale
10
Application Deadline
22 May 2022
Please click here to apply
- Applicants must be nationals of a European Union member State or have a valid work permit for the European Union.
- Only applications submitted before the closing date and through our recruitment portal will be considered. Only applicants under serious consideration for a post will be contacted.
- Oxfam aims to attract a diverse mix of talented people that share our standards, values, principles, and are committed to prevent and eradicate any type of misconduct including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, any other type of misuse of power or lack of integrity and financial misconduct. We are committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. High priority is placed on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.
- Applications from qualified candidates from all gender identities, sexes, sexual orientations, races, colours, religions, cultures, abilities, etc. are encouraged.
- An assessment may be a part of the recruitment process
For more information about the position, you can contact Monique van Zijl, Unit Manager FAIR Value Chains and Food Systems, at Monique.van.zijl@oxfamnovib.nl
