Regional Lobby and Advocacy Officer

NetherlandsRegional Lobby and Advocacy OfficerOrganizationMensen met een MissiePosted 3 Nov 2025 Closing date 9 Nov 2025Mensen met een Missie is an organisation for international cooperation and solidarity that aims to change beliefs that lead to hatred and violence. To do this, we’ve joined forces with hundreds of partner organisations in Africa, Asia and Latin America. With people who dare to go against the current, and stand up for justice, inclusion and equality. Together we facilitate dialogue between people on each side of a conflict. We inspire consideration and discussion of harmful beliefs, so that mutual hatred and mistrust can decrease. Our team in The Hague consists of about 30 people who work daily with passion and commitment, on building a world without violence.In 2024, Mensen met een Missie launched “The Peace Project”’. This 8-year programme aims to transform harmful convictions, foster cohesive connections, and promote conducive conditions for peace in the DRC, Burundi, Uganda, and South Sudan. Key components of the programme include promoting alternative narratives, fostering trauma healing, and igniting (interfaith) dialogue. We are also actively advocating for fair and inclusive policies and practices at local, national and international levels.We will collaborate with various stakeholders, including religious actors, at both national and international levels. The programme is conducted in partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and features an adaptive approach. It includes an intensive learning agenda designed to enable evidence-based policy influencing. This approach allows for continuous adaptation to the ever-changing and complex regions of implementation, ensuring ongoing learning and improvement.For The Peace Project, we are looking for a Regional Lobby and Advocacy OfficerEmployment: 32 hrs per weekStarting: as soon as possibleAs the Regional Lobby and Advocacy Officer you will be part of the Mensen met een Missie core team of The Peace Project that consists of a Programme Coordinator, an International Lobby and Advocacy Officer, two Programme Managers, a MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Adjustment and Learning) Officer, a Project Support Officer, a Communications Officer, a Research and Learning Officer, a Finance Officer and four national Network Coordinators. The Regional Lobby and Advocacy Officer will work closely together with the International Lobby and Advocacy Officer and the four Network Coordinators based in Burundi, DRC, South Sudan and Uganda. The Regional Lobby and Advocacy Officer plays a strategic and supportive role in advancing The Peace Project’s advocacy agenda across the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes Region. The Officer works to identify and pursue opportunities for policy influence and partnership in alignment with The Peace Project’s overall objectives.Key Tasks And Responsibilities Opportunity Identification and Partner Support and Capacity Strengthening:Provide operational and strategic support to International Lobby and Advocacy Officer.Provide technical support and guidance to national partners in formulating advocacy strategies, interventions and messages.Help identify local advocacy opportunities and link them to national, regional, and global levels.Strengthen evidence-based advocacy (research, MEAL outcomes, stories of change, best practices).Identify L&A capacity needs and facilitate learning.Document and share best practices and stories of change. Cross-Country and Regional CollaborationRepresent The Peace Project and engage with major economic and political hubs on the African continent to advance The Peace Project’s objectives.Monitor and analyse policy developments at the African Union and at regional level, relevant to peacebuilding, social cohesion and inclusive governance.Co-coordinate the Cross-Country Lobby and Advocacy Working Group of The Peace Project:Collaborate with the International Lobby and Advocacy Officer to:Identify, act on and strengthen relationships with regional civil society networks, faith-based actors and other strategic partners and linkages.Facilitate cross-country learning and sharing best practices.Ensure coherence and complementarity between regional and international advocacy strategies.Coordinate with The Peace Project partners on:Joint or complementary L&A initiatives.Joint research and communication efforts. National and International Policy InfluenceTranslate local and regional messages to international policy spaces.Monitor and advise on relevant political developments in Burundi, DRC, South Sudan, Uganda, the AU and other platforms relevant for The Peace Project.Engage and influence policymakers and authorities, including MPs, AU institutions, and civil servants.Build and maintain strategic partnerships with CSOs for joint influencing efforts. Communication and ReportingWrite and contribute to advocacy communications (e.g., lobby letters, policy briefs, social media content).Contribute to reporting on advocacy progress within The Peace Project.Share results and insights with relevant stakeholders.Document and disseminate best practices and lessons learned.Required Profile and Technical Skills, Experience and Knowledge.A results-oriented personality with a curious and proactive attitude.Someone who naturally takes initiative, sets priorities, identifies opportunities, and translates them into action.Politically and administratively sensitive, with the ability to operate strategically.Strong awareness of diverse interests and a firm commitment to advocating for them.Strong interpersonal skills; able to navigate and connect easily with a wide range of people in challenging contexts.At least 5 years of relevant experience in a similar role; experience related to the four The Peace Project countries (Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Uganda) is an advantage.Solid knowledge of and experience with the political and administrative landscape in the African Union and other relevant platforms and institutions for The Peace Project.A relevant network in national and/or African Union politics, or the ability to build and expand such a network quickly.Knowledge of and/or affinity with the socio-political role of religion and faith in peacebuilding.Understanding of and/or affinity with religious-political structures and civil society networks.Affinity with the identity and working approach of Mensen met een Missie.Well-skilled in using Office 365 and online working tools.Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and French.The Regional Lobby and Advocacy officer is based in and a national of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Uganda or Ethiopia, and is willing to travel.Our offerAn inspiring and challenging position and assignment within an enthusiastic and motivated partner network.A competitive country-specific salary.Opportunities for personal development and training.Essential supplies (laptop, internet subscription, etc) to set-up your own workplace.How to applyInterested?Send your application letter (in English) along with your CV to sollicitatie@mensenmeteenmissie.nl by 9 November 2025 23:59 CET. Online interviews will take place between 17 and 21 November 2025.For more information about this position, please contact Christina Maasdam via e-mail at christinamaasdam@mensenmeteenmissie.nl.Mensen met een Missie is an organisation where diversity and inclusion are paramount, and everyone feels welcome and valued. We welcome applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds - including different religions, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and age groups – within our target recruitment countries.Job detailsCountryNetherlandsCity 's-Gravenhage SourceMensen met een MissieTypeJobCareer categoryAdvocacy/CommunicationsYears of experience5-9 yearsThemePeacekeeping and PeacebuildingShare Share this on Facebook Share this on X Post this on LinkedIn