Deputy Director, Advocacy

Job Summary:

The Deputy Director, Advocacy will oversee CPJ’s advocacy and campaigning work by developing plans for engagement with governments, multilateral institutions, and multi-stakeholder groups on individual cases and thematic priorities. The role directly supports the Director, Advocacy & Communications in crafting departmental strategy and contributes to the development and implementation of the best ways to leverage CPJ’s research for maximum influence and impact on a global scale. An empathetic people manager, the Deputy will be an operationally astute strategic thinker with global expertise, equal parts policy advocate, and campaigner.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide input on strategy and guide the execution of CPJ’s short and longer-term advocacy objectives to influence policies and direct actions that further press freedom and protect journalists; contribute to the development of initiatives or campaigns that can bolster CPJ’s public profile and influence; steer projects from start to finish; create or implement streamlined operational processes
• Monitor developments about press freedom and related issues, and identify opportunities for strategic action; Engage in meaningful coalition and partnership work to advance press freedom; closely collaborate with regional teams on priority cases/countries and help to guide targeted advocacy actions
• With an inclusive, strategic approach, lead coordination and promote collaboration within and across teams to maximize results across CPJ’s work areas while ensuring organizational resources are deployed efficiently and effectively
• Working in tandem with the Deputy Director, Communications, ensure that CPJ’s overarching press freedom goals translate into achievable, specific policy recommendations and that these are proactively reflected consistently and cohesively across outputs
• Implement a metrics and analysis framework that captures impact and feeds into data-informed decision-making
• Manage a small team with a global scope, plus consultants or interns, as needed, guiding the workflow within the team with clear responsibilities and timelines
• Draft or oversee project and campaign briefs in partnership with colleagues across the organization and develop work plans against them; review advocacy documents to ensure strategic and policy alignment
• Support the Director in the development and implementation of policy influence and broader public advocacy campaigns, participating in conceptualization, execution, quality control, and evaluation
• Support the Director in coalitions and/or multilateral engagement (UN, Media Freedom Coalition, regional institutions etc.); identify and pursue UN/multilateral advocacy opportunities, feeding CPJ’s research into existing frameworks and activating relevant officials or mechanisms
• Serve as a media spokesperson and represent CPJ at external events, as needed
• Support the Director and team to craft annual priorities/work plans and assist in budget oversight; conduct performance reviews.
• In collaboration with the Director, Advocacy & Communications, manage the department:
  – Recruitment: Select high-caliber candidates
  – Performance Management: Ensure staff is provided clear goals and regular performance feedback (including performance reviews)
  – Development: Provide staff with appropriate career and professional development opportunities as well as meaningful coaching and mentoring
  – Engagement: Ensure staff is effectively connected and motivated to perform at their highest levels of achievement and contribute to the creation of a positive organizational culture
  – Administration: Oversee (review/approve) administrative processes (e.g., time off, expense reports, travel plans, employee data/records, etc.)
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Education/Qualifications & Work Experience: 

Required:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 6+ years of experience in global non-profit advocacy and/or public policy, with at least 3 years in a management role
• Ability to produce high-volume, accurate work in a rapidly changing environment, with attention to detail
• Experience managing complex and diverse relationships with advocacy targets, and members of the broader human rights ecosystem; adept at fostering fruitful relationships with stakeholders and partners
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing advocacy plans, campaigns, and materials with meticulous attention to detail
• Experience managing remote staff and executing projects with collaborators across time zones and cultures, while prioritizing positive, respectful professional relationships
• Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills in English and Arabic, French, or Spanish (fluent or advanced)
• Ability to work in a highly collaborative and consultative environment
• International work or study experience; solid grasp of geopolitics and press freedom
• People management skills (e.g., hiring, training, communicating, supervising, mentoring, and appraising personnel)
• Able to work independently and excel in a fast-paced environment with the ability to course correct on short or long-term activities/goals
• Commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workplace
• Must be able to work out of CPJ’s New York City office, and travel domestically or internationally, as needed; some weeknights and weekend work is required.

Preferred:

• Robust knowledge of advocacy tools; experience with project management tools (i.e. Hive, Trello, or other similar systems)
• Experience working with the United Nations, and other multilateral, international organizations (e.g. OSCE, World Bank, etc.)

Additional Qualifications, Characteristics, and Competencies (Key Behaviors):

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills
• Impeccable organizational skills and keen attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Ability to lead a team and work collaboratively with senior managers to guide the organization

Location:

They promote a flexible working environment that allows for work-life balance, with opportunities for hybrid and flexible work schedules. Their newly opened NYC office, located in Midtown Manhattan, was designed to be a place where they can work effectively and collaboratively, bringing energy, inspiration, commitment, and deep learning to our mission. The CPJ offices are currently working on a hybrid schedule of two days in-office (Wednesday and one other day of the employee’s choosing), with the option of working three days remotely.

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references.

Application deadline: August 11, 2023

Apply here.