The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a Communion of 149 Churches in 99 countries. The role of the Communion Office (CO) is to serve these churches in different ways. The CO has three departments, the Department for Planning and Coordination (DPC), the Department for Theology, Mission and Justice (DTMJ) and the Department for World Service as well the Office of the General Secretary. 

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a faith-based organization with a strong commitment to justice, peace and human rights, primarily through its advocacy work at local, national, regional and global levels. The LWF has for many years engaged with the United Nations (UN) and other International Organizations in its programmatic and advocacy work.

Currently, the advocacy work of the LWF is done through the Action for Justice Unit (AFJ), which serves as the advocacy hub of the organization. The Action for Justice unit has been mandated under the leadership of the Head of Global Advocacy to carry out work worldwide on five key LWF advocacy and programmatic priorities: the protection of human rights and dignity for all; the imperative for gender justice; action for climate justice; interfaith dialogue and action for peace; and humanitarian advocacy. AFJ coordinates LWF’s engagement with the UN in Geneva and in New York together with the Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC).The AFJ unit is hosted by the Department for Theology Mission and Justice in the LWF communion office, with a mandate for overall advocacy in the entire LWF.

Using the Local to Global to Local (L2G2L) methodology, the Action for Justice team ensures that issues related to these themes are developed in LWF member churches and in LWF World Service country programs and reported through global mechanisms, including those under the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Security Council, among others.

In alignment with LWF policies, Assembly and Council resolutions, the purpose of this position is to design and implement LWF advocacy policies in the human rights, humanitarian and development fields based on consistent and relevant programs developed at local levels. The incumbent also serves as a legal advisor on issues related to policy and advocacy and other legal matters, as appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• University level degree in areas related to international advocacy, political science, human rights and international affairs.
• Graduate studies in international law, with a focus on International Human Rights law and International Humanitarian Law.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, French and/or Spanish.
• Office suite conversant.
• LWF member church endorsement is an asset 

Additional Study and Experience

• At least 5-year experience in advocacy in areas related to international affairs, human rights, sustainable development and humanitarian policy.
• Successful experience preferably in church / ecumenical setting in the field of advocacy.
• Proven track record of successful implementation of programs related to advocacy and active contribution to a multilateral initiatives and international action addressing a range of justice and human rights issues.
• Conversant with UN human rights, humanitarian, development and peace/security mechanisms and systems.
• Proven ability to support and interact with multi-cultural and multi-professional teams and partners.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy.
• Experience as a lawyer and in legal advisory roles is an asset.

LWF Core Skills

• Working effectively with others: Level resource
• Leadership: Level resource
• Achieving results: Level resource
• Analytical thinking: Level resource
• Initiative: Level resource
• Accountability: Level resource

Required Skills

• Advocacy and Policy Development: Level resource
• Communication / Networking: Level resource
• Facilitation / Negotiation: Level resource
• Capacity Building / Training: Level advanced
• Project management: Level advanced
• Resources management / Fund raising: Level basis

Position Environment and Dimensions

• Internally, reports to the Head of Global Advocacy, and is a member of a team of thematic experts in the Action for Justice unit. Interacts with program staff in different departments on advocacy, content, development and implementation of programs; with World Service, communication, PMER, finance and resource mobilisation staff, and Regional Secretaries in the Office of the General Secretary.
• Externally, interacts and cooperates worldwide with the UN and other relevant inter-governmental bodies, INGOs, missions, related agencies, member churches, ecumenical and interfaith organizations and donors

Main duties

Advocacy

• Develops, coordinates and supports LWF advocacy on key humanitarian issues, including humanitarian funding, access, and the adherence to International Humanitarian Law.
• Advises on and support the development of LWF advocacy positions on selected priority issues in Geneva and New York, including human rights in the context of racial justice, xenophobia, intolerance and migration.
• Initiates, researches and contributes to oral and written position papers, statements and submissions to various UN bodies on relevant advocacy issues.
• Links LWF member churches, World Service country programs, partners and communities they serve with decision making processes in the UN and in relevant regional intergovernmental bodies, such as the European Union and the African Union.
• Collaborates with World Service, particularly the International Programs team and Policy & Thematics team.
• Collaborates with LWF communications to develop impactful stories and communication products to lift up the advocacy work of the LWF.
• Follows up, liaises with and supports the Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC)‘s advocacy agenda that is under deliberation in Geneva, e.g. at the Human Rights Council, IOM, WHO, etc.
• Ensures that LWF’s advocacy is rooted in and underpinned by Lutheran theological resources in coordination/consultation with LWF theologians.

Advocacy support for member churches and country programs

• Responds to requests for advice, information and advocacy support from LWF member churches and World Service country programs.
• Contributes to further developments and refinements of LWF advocacy strategy methodologies.
• Helps to facilitate the presence of representatives of LWF member churches or World Service country programs at relevant UN meetings.
• In coordination with LWF theologians, ensures advocacy support for member churches and country programs is connected LWF’s commitment to strengthening the role of the church in the public space and the role of faith actors advocating for the common good.
• Develops and maintains close contact with, including occasional travel to, member churches and World Service country programs so as to learn of their situations and work with them on developing advocacy positions.
• Maintains close contact and cooperation with the World Council of Churches, ACT Alliance, other ecumenical and interfaith organizations working on advocacy issues.
• Maintains ongoing contact with relevant non-governmental and inter-governmental organizations on issues of LWF interest.
• Provides in-house legal counsel, opinion, interpretation and advice on issues linked to the LWF advocacy and public voice.

Communication

• Ensures a continuous and appropriate communication flow with all internal and external stakeholders and various audiences, particularly ecumenical organizations and global partners.

Project Management, Fundraising and PMER

• Under the leadership of the Head of Global Advocacy, contributes to the management of AFJ programs and projects on advocacy, in close collaboration with LWF departments / World Service country programs and other stakeholders such as member churches.
• Contributes to developing possible new funding.
• In collaboration with DTMJ Support Team contributes to the monitoring and reporting on the Action for Justice program.
• Under the leadership of the Head of Global Advocacy contributes to the screening, assessment, processing and evaluation for LWF Global Advocacy related programs.
• Ensures the good quality of programs deliverables (budget, timing) and sign off payments related to the program.

Special duties

As may be assigned by the supervisor

Major Challenges

The major challenge of this position is to keep abreast of development, humanitarian and human rights trends and programs internationally and in member churches and World Service country programs and to determine which interventions will be most effective in raising the voice of our constituency onto the international stage in Geneva, New York, Brussels, Addis Ababa and elsewhere using appropriate channels and mechanisms, so as to promote human dignity and respect for human rights