Communications and Advocacy Officer - Diakonia IHL Centre

Diakonia is looking for an experienced communications and advocacy professional with experience in international law to develop, coordinate and support the communication platforms and strategies for the Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre.
Diakonia is a Swedish non-profit organization for international development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. Diakonia supports over 400 partner organisations in 25 countries – in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Diakonia works for a just, equal and sustainable future. We operate on feminist principles and a human rights-based approach, and our focus areas are human rights, democracy and gender equity.
Since the beginning of 2021, Diakonia has a new global strategy which entails an exciting development for operations, working methods and organization.
Diakonia established its new Global International Humanitarian Law Resource Desk Program in 2017, comprising of three contexts desks, working in Lebanon, Mali, and Israel/Palestine. The program, recently rebranded as the Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre, is a specialist legal centre of excellence, engaging in high level research, advocacy and capacity building, centred around the promotion of international humanitarian law (IHL). The program engages with a wide range of actors, politicians, humanitarian workers, human rights organisation, and governmental bodies.
Role and responsibilities:
As Communications and Advocacy Officer, you play a critical role in promoting international humanitarian law at the global level and in the regions we work: you develop and oversee the implementation of the communications strategy and approach of the Centre. You also support all Desks of the Centre (the new Global Desk as well as the Desks based in Lebanon, Mali and Israel/Palestine) in regard to their communication products and activities. You develop ideas with the teams for outreach, handle requests from leading international media outlets, advise senior management on strategic communications, and coordinate initiatives to influence policies and practices of governments, militaries, and humanitarian actors. The Communications and Advocacy Officer is a central role within the Centre’s Secretariat, forming part of the Secretariat team which leads the strategic development and quality assurance of the Centre. The role is part of Diakonia’s communications department. Your responsibilities include:
Develop advocacy strategies and implement the Centre wide communication strategy to take the Centre’s communication and advocacy activities to the next level
Work with all Desk Managers and Centre Manager in developing innovative and highly accessible communication products
Provide advice on and help to strengthen the IHL Centre’s brand and identity as one entity
Provide direct oversight, support and input on communication products across the Centre
Lead on the further development of the website and create content for social media and other communications channels
Coordinate media requests and develop networks with journalists
Support fundraising efforts
Contribute to the strategic direction of the Centre
Facilitate internal communications within the Centre and within Diakonia


Experience and qualifications:
We are looking for an experienced communications and advocacy professional with the following qualifications:
University degree or equivalent in relevant area.
Five to ten years of experience working in the communications and advocacy field.
Experience in or knowledge of either international law or the humanitarian sector.
Excellent communications skills including excellent writing and editing skills.
Excellent and proven skills to transform complicated material into short and engaging key messages.
Strong understanding and experience of utilizing graphics to strengthen relevant communication.
Strong understanding of the dynamics in politics and the media, and proven ability to identify opportunities for advocacy and media outreach.
Outstanding level of English and professional level French proficiency.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, flexibility and a collaborative mindset.
Network in the media or ability to build networks quickly.



This is a plus:
Experience working on humanitarian advocacy, international humanitarian/criminal law.
Command of other languages, particularly Arabic.
Experience working in one or multiple conflict affected environments and/or international organisations.



We offer:
We offer you an exciting job in an international environment, where you become part of a culture that characterized by our core values: solidarity, justice, courage, commitment and accountability.
Location: Stockholm, Sweden, or European Mobility Employment. Some international travel is expected.
Start date: 1st June 2022 or per agreement
Employment type: One-year contract with possible extension.
We ask you to send us your CV and as well as a cover letter in English which directly responds to the following four questions:
1. The Centre wants to use creative ways and innovative tools to promote international (humanitarian) law. What are your ideas?
2. What do you consider to be the biggest challenges for a new legal centre that wants to establish itself and raise its profile in the field of international humanitarian law?
3. In your view, how can the Centre’s current communications activities and public profile be strengthened?
4. Why do you think you will be successful in this position?
Interviews may start before the end of the application period.
We believe in the power of diversity and inclusion and strive to recruit staff with different perspectives, experiences and competences.
Diakonia is committed to provide a safe environment for all employees and the rights holders that we work with and support, with zero tolerance against breaches of this commitment.
Contact information:
If you have questions about the position or the recruitment process, please contact: Stephen Wilkinson, stephen.wilkinson@diakonia.se, IHL Centre Manager.
Union representatives (Sweden):
Unionen: Magnus Walan, +46-8-4536916, magnus.walan@diakonia.se
Akademikerföreningen: Julle Bergenholtz-Foglander, +46-76-5011744, julle.bergenholtzfoglander@diakonia.se