Advocacy Manager

About the role

The UK s international trade policy is at a crossroads: beginning to move on from the relentless focus on Free Trade Agreements which primarily exist to serve corporate interests, but yet to embrace a vision for trade which prioritises equality, environmental sustainability and human rights.

The Advocacy Manager s role is to build political support for the Trade Justice Movement s policy priorities. They will represent TJM in high-level settings including parliamentary meetings, party conferences and on government stakeholder groups. They will build strong relationships with parliamentarians, advisors, committee staff and civil servants. They will also play a key role in researching and agreeing policy positions in collaboration with civil society allies.

TJM is a small team and the Advocacy Manager will have a flexible and collaborative approach, responding to political events, seizing opportunities to influence and pitching in with broader organisational priorities.

The Advocacy Manager will be responsible for setting TJM s political influencing strategy, with support from the Director, and will be able to plan and deliver their work independently.

About the organisation

TJM is a UK-based coalition of 45 charities, trade unions and faith groups working for a fairer, greener world by supporting international trade policies which prioritise people and planet.

TJM is composed of four staff members (Director, Advocacy Manager, Research Manager, Senior Communications Adviser), all of whom work closely with allies both within and outside our membership.

Criteria for a successful applicant

A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following essential criteria:

• Excellent communication skills, including written communication and interpersonal networking, relationship-building and influencing skills

• Experience of producing high-quality briefings and developing policy positions for political audiences

• Experience working with political stakeholders such as MPs, parliamentary committees, or other parliamentary actors to build support for a progressive agenda

• Deep understanding of policy-making processes in the UK, both within parliament and central government departments

• Demonstrable ability to build strong expertise in complex policy areas

• Excellent analytical skills and political awareness

• Experience of organising and running political or civil society events

• Strong ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, managing own work, prioritising and meeting deadlines

A successful candidate may be able to demonstrate the following desirable criteria:

• Experience of working within a network organisation and/or in collaboration with civil society groups

• Knowledge of trade justice issues, international development, climate and environmental policy or another similar policy area

• Experience working on fundraising bids to charitable trusts and foundations

• Digital communications skills