Communications Consultant

ACT Alliance Advocacy to the EU is seeking to engage a Communications consultant.
Background/who we are

ACT Alliance EU is a network of 12 European church-based humanitarian and development agencies whose purpose is to influence EU policy and practice regarding development and humanitarian aid and related issues. We are an EU facing advocacy network, addressing the Commission, Parliament, Council and associated bodies. The long-term impact we aim for is that European external relations, humanitarian aid and development cooperation policies and practice at institutional and at civil society level are rights-based, equitable and people & community centred and contribute to human security and dignity for all.

Our advocacy emphasises the importance of a diverse civil society engaged locally, nationally, regionally and globally in humanitarian and development processes, of shifting ownership of those processes to local and national actors, and of de-colonising the aid system and re-balancing power relations. As a network of progressive faith-based organisations, we provide a unique perspective on areas where religion intersects with and shapes development and humanitarian outcomes, and on the value and implementation of faith-sensitive approaches in relief and development.

The secretariat, based in Brussels, is a small team comprising the ACT Alliance EU Representative (Director), 4 Policy Officers and an Office Manager.
Role of communications consultant

The consultant will work with the ACT Alliance EU Representative and the secretariat team to devise a visibility & communications plan which the team can execute.

Work will include:

Mapping our current communications and potential audiences-both internal and external;
Identifying our communications needs and priorities in consultation with our members and other stakeholders;
Suggesting affordable communications tools and strategies which may include creative solutions for leveraging our members’ communications expertise, but which will also allow us to reach target audiences at ‘the push of a button;
Identifying skills gaps within the team and delivering or recommending training;
Encouraging a culture of communication.

Timing

From late February 2023 for a period of 2-4 weeks.
Profile

Communications professional – ideally Brussels-based, with at least 6-8 years’ experience of working in the Brussels NGO sector and/or the EU institutions themselves, with a track record in:

Providing value driven content in a variety of mediums;
Using and advising on tools, digital or otherwise, for engaging and connecting with people within and outside a network;
Using and advising on digital tools for exchanging information and advocacy materials with and between members of the network;
Using communications to reinforce advocacy content and outcomes;
Successfully training a team to get their messages to key stakeholders.

How to apply

Send your proposal – including your CV and proposed fees to recruitment@actalliance.eu;
Specify in the subject line: “Communications Consultant application + ORGANISATION/SURNAME (+ FIRST NAME)”;
Closing date to submit proposal: Monday 6 February 2023 (23:00 CET).