Policy & Practice Adviser - Technology Justice

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Policy & Practice Adviser - Technology Justice

We have a vision for a world with Technology Justice, in which everyone has the right to decide, choose, and use technologies that assist them in leading the life that they value, without compromising the ability of others and future generations to do the same.

We have a new and exciting opportunity for a Policy and Practice Adviser, who will lead our efforts to further develop the concept; build a movement for change to influence the policies and practices of others and to make the phrase “Technology Justice“ an indispensable part of people’s vocabulary across the world.

This is a great opportunity for an innovative thinker, someone who is prepared to challenge prevailing norms and who is able to distil complex concepts and communicate them in ways which are understood by a wide range of audiences; and uses both traditional and social media to communicate.

We’re looking for a networker and network builder, someone who will get out and reach into both the development world and wider society.

Interested applicants should have a post-graduate degree in a relevant subject and substantial work experience, ideally in an international development context.

Please be advised at all applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK.

Date of expiry	10th Jul
Salary	Circa £45,000 - £47,000 per annum depending on exerience
Location	Near Rugby, Warwickshire
Full/Part time	Full Time
Permanent/temporary	Permanent
Other terms

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JOB DESCRIPTION

ADVISER (TECHNOLOGY JUSTICE)

AREA/UNIT: Policy and Practice Team

RESPONSIBLE TO: Director, Policy & Practice

RESPONSIBLE FOR: N/A

GRADE OF POST: A

SPECIFIC JOB PURPOSE
• To lead the development & articulation of a compelling and well-grounded case for Technology Justice which is in keeping with our values, and narrative, and builds from our working experiences as well as recent academic research and the work of others.
• To lead Practical Action’s efforts to build a movement for change to influence the policies and practices of others to realize Technology Justice, representing the organization to key influencing targets, allies, media, and social movements as appropriate.
• To ensure a coherent & consistent approach to Practical Action’s policy positions, feeding into and from the goals, and cross cutting themes, and assisting with the delivery of the group’s priority global change agenda.

SCOPE OF ROLE

The post holder plays a central role in Practical Action’s work to create a movement for change to help us ultimately realize our vision for Technology Justice.

The post is one of a number of Policy Advisers based in the Policy & Practice Team, which leads the organisation’s efforts to influence the policies and practices of international actors – governments, donors, private sector, & civil society organizations.

The Policy Adviser for Technology Justice draws on the full spectrum of our programme experience, plus wider external debates & evidence to develop a compelling case for Technology Justice. S/he works actively with other organizations and actors to begin to build an international movement for change. S/he has a substantive external role, representing the organization with key influencing targets, donors and allies.

Along with other Policy Advisers, s/he will also work in coordination with the Global Advocacy Coordinator to assist in the development and delivery of the priority global change agenda (initially energy access).

SPECIFIC JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES

The post holder will be accountable for developing a clear, and compelling case for Technology Justice, and building a coalition of alliances around the call for Technology Justice. Success will position Practical Action at the centre of a new & vibrant international movement for change.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

To continually collate, and distil organisational learning and the experience of others to develop an evidence-based case for an approach to development based on technology justice. This includes building an evidence base to improve understanding of how the introduction of technology can have different impacts on different socio economic and gender groups and to demonstrate what needs to happen to ensure technology can be developed and disseminated in a way that impacts positively on the wellbeing of poor people, with a particular emphasis on the most marginalised groups.

To develop relationships with leading policy and academic research institutions in the area of wellbeing and technology to help ground our work in current academic thinking.

Lead organisational efforts to build a movement for change, including NGOs, government bodies, donors, social movements, the private sector and other key international decision-makers, which will influence the policies and practices of others to realize Technology Justice

Represent Practical Action at senior level to key influencing targets, allies, media, and social movements.

Participate in group-wide efforts to advance Practical Actions priority global change agenda.

Contribute to specific key organisational efforts to advance the group-wide strategies on Technology Justice, including the development of programmes & donor submissions; capacity building efforts; and policy analysis.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal: The post holder will be expected to maintain regular dialogue with senior managers across the organisation (CEO and SLT members) providing specialist advice, and work collaboratively with other members of the Policy and Practice team, the Programme Support Team and colleagues in regional and country offices. Regular dialogue and collaboration with different units in Marketing and Communications and PAC will also be required.

External: The post holder will be expected to represent Practical Action externally, at all levels, including at a high level. S/he will be expected to maintain and develop contacts with counterparts in INGOs (allies and partners), social movements, media, academic researchers, UN bodies, donors, international networks and partnerships, and relevant parliamentary committees.

LINE MANAGEMENT OR SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The post has responsibility for managing interns, temporary staff and staff on short fixed-term contracts who may be recruited from time to time to carry out specific activities.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will from time to time be responsible for managing project or activity budgets, up to about £ 200,000 a year.

OUTLINE PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education:
• Post-graduate degree in a relevant subject

Experience:
• At least 7 years work experience in international development, including extensive experience working in developing countries, ideally within an international NGO.
• Experience of research, and policy development on issues related to technology and international development.
• Experience of research into or monitoring of the differential impact of development interventions across different socio economic or gendered groups.
• Experience of high level representation, and advocacy with a range of actors, including donors, government, and the private sector.

Skills:
• A thorough understanding of the issues related to the role of technology in international development.
• Understanding of current academic research on the use of the concept of Wellbeing in development policy
• Strong analytical skills (readily able to interpret complex quantitative and qualitative data).
• A strong good understanding of international policy processes and movements for change.
• Excellent written, and oral communication skills, and able to communicate to a variety of audiences, including senior policy makers, practitioners and the general public.
• Excellent English language, preferably with some knowledge of Spanish and/or French.
• Computer literate, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Empathy with Practical Action’s mission, and values, with a high level of corporate commitment, demonstrated by an ability to take decisions and to act in the best interests of Practical Action.
• Ability to travel for up to 12 weeks per year.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

The post holder will require an excellent level of competency in the following

Influencing
Competence evidenced by the ability to use a range of approaches and select the appropriate style for a situation. Is able to demonstrate good listening skills, presents own view in a convincing manner, whilst acknowledging different perspectives, feelings and concerns. Works for a win-win outcome in resolving differences, and is usually able to win others over to own way of thinking. Is well networked with excellent external focus.

Managing relationships:
Competence demonstrated by an ability to understand and react appropriately to motivations that drive colleagues’ behaviour. Is sensitive to cultural differences and behaves appropriately within them. Understands how to develop productive working relationships

Decision Making:
Competence is demonstrated by the timeliness and sound reasoning of decisions. There is a balance of consultation with action. Will communicate, will follow through and will be accountable for outcome. Will always have the interests of Practical Action at the core of the decision. Will support decisions once argued through and made.

Teamwork:
demonstrated by the ability and inclination to work co-operatively with others. Will recognise the value of sharing ideas, knowledge and information with others and takes personal responsibility for doing so.

The post holder will require a good/proficient level of competency in the following

Drive for results:
Competence demonstrated by the level of responsibility and accountability demonstrated by the individual in meeting or beating commitments and objectives, whatever the organisational level of the role. Illustrated by evidence of seeking better ways of doing things, looking to improve on status quo and willingness to deal with difficult situations that effect output of their role.

Self-motivation:
Competence demonstrated by the level of timeliness and accuracy the individual displays in carrying out their role, by their personal energy and enthusiasm and by their willingness to learn to exceed expectations in their role.