Mennonite Central Committee

UN Advocacy Associate

JOB SYNOPSIS: The MCC UN Advocacy Associate will work with the Director of the UN Office, MCC staff and partners, and external advocacy partners to influence UN diplomats, staff, and agencies and key public audiences to advance MCC’s advocacy priorities at the UN. The Advocacy Associate will also provide communications, administrative and logistical support for UN Office programs, educational events, and publications.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific Tasks and Duties:

Major Responsibilities:

Advocacy facing the United Nations – 75%

Event logistics, communications support and other administrative tasks – 25%

Tasks:

Advocacy facing the United Nations – 75%

Manage portfolio of several UN-facing MCC advocacy priorities (such as Palestine-Israel, Democratic Republic of the Congo/East Africa, Syria) by providing valuable research, analysis, and expertise; participating in UN and MCC working groups; building relationship and strategizing with MCC staff and partners; meeting and building relationships of influence with UN country and agency staff and members of the UN Security Council; and organizing meetings on behalf of MCC staff and partners.

Work collaboratively to identify and pursue MCC comparative advantage, unique contribution, and deliverables with respect to each advocacy priority.

Produce briefing, policy, and advocacy papers, presentations, and articles.

One to two international trips each year related to advocacy portfolio, and two to three domestic trips to enhance MCC and external partnerships.

Coordinate process for occasional UNO sign on letters and statements.

Attend and participate in MCC and Church Center activities (staff meetings, devotions and worship services, retreats, etc.)

Arrange UN and New York appointments with visiting partners, MCC staff, and stakeholders.

Event logistics, communications support and administrative – 25%

Serve as logistics coordinator for annual MCC UN Student Seminars (in-person and online): application, registration, and payment; publicity materials; presenter flights and accommodations; meeting space and supplies; meals; UN tour; and audiovisual and online support.

Manage logistics for UNO events, both in NYC (seminars, learning tours, UN side and parallel events, Global Peacemaker Award, etc.) and online (consultations, forums, webinars, etc.).

Provide support for production of bimonthly Global Briefing: communicate with authors, coordinate vetting and translation, do layout and distribution, maintain database, and provide writing and editing as needed.

Update UNO website as needed.

Provide the administrative support for the nomination, translation, vetting, and selection process for the annual MCC Global Peacemaker Award.

Organize hospitality for guests and visitors of UNO.

Provide administration related to MCC accreditation and working groups.

Submit monthly financial reports

Other duties as assigned on a temporary basis

Supervision: Apart from some supervisory tasks with the annual IVEP volunteer, this role has no direct supervision responsibilities.

Travel expectations: Travel up to 25 nights away per year (up to 20 international).

Physical Activity/Demands:

​​Constantly​ remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time.

​​Constantly​ repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

​​Constantly​ assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of work assigned.

Not regularly exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Organizational values and culture: All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active church membership; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Essential:

Bachelor’s degree with preference for studies in public policy, global studies/international relations, peace/justice/conflict transformation, international development, human rights, political science, history, or related fields; relevant, equivalent experience accepted in lieu of degree

Strong relational/communication skills including ability to build relationships with, influence, and work collaboratively with diplomats and UN staff

Strong research skills

Strong oral and written communication skills in English

Passion and ability to engage critical global issues through multiple disciplines – political, socioeconomic, peacebuilding, theological

Skill and experience in event organizing and logistics

Ability to prioritize and manage multiple issues and tasks independently

Understanding of and ability to articulate biblical and Anabaptist perspectives on public policy and critical global issues

Understanding of systemic injustice and work for change

Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse groups of people

Strong administrative and organizing skills

Employment eligibility: Legally eligible to work in the U.S. MCC offers of employment are subject to a successful criminal background check(s).

Preferred:

Master’s degree

1-3 years of work experience related to advocacy, international relations, peacebuilding, or international development

Knowledge of Arabic, French, Korean, or Spanish

Anti-oppression commitment: MCC expects all staff to actively participate in an organization culture that focuses on dismantling any barriers based on race, economic inequality or gender-based oppression. This includes an expectation to assess and address any barriers within themselves, within their team(s), and within MCC.

Safeguarding commitment: All MCC Staff are expected to work collaboratively to create and maintain an organizational culture that prevents and responds to situations of abuse of power (sexual harassment, child abuse, racism, exploitation, and fraud among other situations).

Assess, manage, and monitor risks related to abuses of power in program design, implementation and monitoring.

This job description is designed to be a thorough list of the employee’s responsibilities. It may not be an exhaustive list of duties, particularly for short-term duties that may arise. This Job Description will be reviewed and updated at least annually to ensure recurring and routine duties are included in this job description.