Advocacy Coordinator

SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka, a member organization of SOS-Kinderdorf International, provides total care to the children who have lost their parents as well as the children who are at risk of losing the care of their biological family. The organization has well established Projects in Piliyandala, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, Anuradhapura, Monaragala, Jaffna, Gandara, Peraliya, Malpotha & Mallavi and invites applications from highly committed individuals who meet the requisite qualifications for the following position.

PROGRAMME COORDINATOR – ADVOCACY (Location: National Office Piliyandala)

SOS Children’s Village Sri Lanka (SOSCVSL) seeks a dynamic and competent professional to support the Programme Director and the Regional Advocacy Advisor – Asia to drive the National Advocacy Strategy of SOSCVSL.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Engaging proactively with the deinstitutionalization/care reforms discourses and processes in the country, pushing through the advocacy messaging of the Federation and supporting the MA to establish a leadership position. 
2. Developing the national advocacy action plans of the MA, in alignment with the regional advocacy strategy, and ensuring its timely and effective delivery (including budget tracking).
3. Coordinating research studies, assessments and other forms of evidence building and information collection for various advocacy initiatives.
4. Networking and building strong partnerships with government, UNICEF, non-government organizations and other stakeholders related to child rights / child protection and childcare, and the advocacy work of the MA.
5. Promoting the empowerment of children in care, care leavers and caregivers as well as communities, through their engagement in the advocacy work of the MA.
6. Building the advocacy capacity of the MA through internal trainings, including for co-workers in the locations.
7. Coordinating and attending internal and external workshops, meetings, consultations, field visits and other events/programmes.
8. Attending to all documentation work including minutes, letters, concept notes, policy briefs, reports and newsletters.
9. Ensuring timely, effective and responsible communications (both internal and external) related to advocacy, including the designing and execution of media and public campaigns.
10. Coordinating with other departments/co-workers at SOS (including the Communications department, VDs/Project Heads and other locational staff), government and non-government stakeholders, consultants and volunteers on work related to advocacy, in consultation with the PD and ND.
11. Maintaining regular communication with the Advocacy Advisor-Asia, and supporting all regional and global advocacy initiatives as required including M&E processes (e.g. submission of monthly progress reports, attending quarterly virtual calls of the Asia Advocacy Network, bi-lateral calls, etc.).

Required Qualifications, Skills and Competencies

1. A Degree in Social Sciences, Law or a related discipline and a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in the field of Child Rights and/ or other advocacy.
2. Passion for promoting the rights of the children
3. Excellent analytical, critical thinking, public relations, networking and partnership building skills.
4. Fluency in English and local languages, good writing and communication skills.
5. A demonstrated strong sense of responsibility, reliability, efficiency and punctuality
6. An attitude for learning
7. Strong ICT Literacy

Please submit your applications by clicking the below link. Applications should include contact details of 3 non related referees and the last day of submission is 12^th January 2024.

This position is open to Sri Lankan Nationals only.

HEAD OF HR

SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES SRI LANKA

P.O. BOX 05 PILIYANDALA

SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka is committed to protecting its staff, programme participants and the communities we serve (both children and adults) from harm from child abuse, sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse and all other types of harm. Every individual who joins SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka should understand his/her responsibility in ensuring a safeguarding environment. The highest standards of selection, recruitment and authentication procedures will be applied for all employment opportunities, including thorough cross-checking of references and submitting a current police clearance certificate