Policy & Advocacy Advisor, Children's Rights in the Digital Environment

The Opportunity

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as the Policy & Advocacy Adviser, Children’s Rights in the Digital Environment - subject to successful grant application, at the SC Europe office based in Brussels, Belgium.

Role Purpose:

The protection of children’s rights in the digital environment is at the centre of Save the Children members’ programming & national advocacy. Save the Children has put together its global advocacy strategy for children’s rights in the digital environment and is scaling up our advocacy to ensure children’s rights are upheld in the digital environment and that children are protected from online harm. A similar advocacy strategy is being finalised in the European context.

In Europe, SC members run programmes, often funded by the EU, to protect children’s rights in the digital environment. EU decision makers are currently negotiating the proposed regulation which will be outlining rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse (the CSA regulation). The European Commission’s proposal for this regulation was launched already in May 2022 and finding agreement within the Parliament and Council on their positions has been a lengthy process. The regulation is expected to have an impact on the lives of million of children in the EU and around the world. At the same time, the EU is in the process of updating the directive 2011/93/EU (CSA directive), which aims to, for example, expand the definitions of child sexual abuse and exploitation offences.

The post holder will lead Save the Children's advocacy on the CSA regulation and the CSA directive, coordinate messaging with members and, where needed, build the capacity of members to influence national decision makers. At the same time, the post holder will map out current and upcoming opportunities to influence at EU level, implement the SC European advocacy strategy on children’s rights online, connect SC members with EU decision makers, and support coordination of efforts to implement SC’s Global advocacy strategy.

The post holder will be part of SC Europe but will have a dotted line to the Head of Policy and Advocacy, Child Protection, in the SCI PAC Department and co-lead an internal global Digital Advocacy Working Group with the purpose of coordinating advocacy on child rights in the digital environment within the movement.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential:

• Demonstrable advocacy experience in child rights, protection, and online protection.
• Knowledge and understanding of EU policies on children’s rights in the digital environment.
• Networks of influence, and an ability to manage diverse professional relationships, thereby securing significant new opportunities for the organisation.
• A proven advocacy track record; the ability to speak and communicate effectively, and to tailor messages to different audiences.
• Experience of successfully operating in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• A full appreciation of the value of cooperation within a team environment.
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in.
• Commitment to Save the Children’s values.
• Ability to work and write in English.

Desireable:

• Experience in preventing and combatting child sexual abuse, e.g. giving trainings, planning campaigns, or providing support.
• Knowledge and experience of child participation and/or child led advocacy.
• Ability to speak and write French

We can offer circa Euro 60,267 per annum. National T&C will apply.

This role can be based in Brussels Save the Children International office location on approval, provided the successful candidate has proof of eligibility to work in this location.

Where we Work - Where We Work | Save the Children International

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your salary expectations. A full copy of the role profile can be found available for download at www.savethechildren.net/careers/apply

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.