G20 Campaign Consultant - Italy
2 days/week (negotiable) for 5 months
Competitive Package
Closing date: Extended Midnight Saturday 12th July 2020
G20 Campaign: Demand an end to the global wildlife trade
World Animal Protection is calling for the G20 to (make a collective commitment to) end the inter-country trade in wild animals and wild animal products, and to ask for global institutions and bodies to put in place mechanisms to develop, facilitate and implement this ban.
Today, the world is focused on one issue – controlling the spread of COVID-19. Countries around the world have locked down their populations to stem the spread, which has hit healthcare systems, economies, people and animals. At the moment, the focus remains on dealing with the pandemic. Many measures being taken are at the national level, but it is clear that there is a need for co-ordinated global action, including to reduce the risk of future pandemics. Through a co-ordinated campaign, we aim to persuade the G20 to take steps towards implementing a global wildlife ban, as a key measure for reducing the chances of future pandemics.
It is widely accepted that COVID-19 was likely transferred to humans from wild animals - the available evidence points to transmission from bats via pangolins, and that trade in these animals for human consumption at public wildlife markets is very likely to have made that human/animal contact possible. This is not even close to the first time that zoonotic diseases have been transferred to humans, but it is the first time that the world has been affected in such an all-consuming way, and that such attention has been paid to the root causes. A ban in the global trade in wildlife is therefore a crucial step towards reducing the chances of global pandemics like Coronavirus from happening again.
World Animal Protection has country offices in seven G20 countries, and are working with partners in others. In some priority countries, we are engaging consultants to assist with our campaign, identifying and communicating with key decision-makers, lobbying and working with World Animal Protection’s External Affairs team to design and implement a national-level advocacy strategy. In each case a draft national advocacy strategy has been written, upon which the consultant can build.
It is our assessment that Italy will be open to our policy demand, and they hold a position of influence as the incoming holders of the G20 Presidency in 2021.
Purpose
The main objectives of the assignment are to map key decision-makers and other relevant stakeholders (building on the draft national advocacy strategy); assess the likelihood of, and possible obstacles to, support for a wildlife trade ban; monitor national-level developments relating to the G20; conduct outreach to and the lobbying of key decision-makers and other relevant stakeholders; and to build the profile of our campaign in Italy.
Deliverables
- Review and refine the Italian advocacy strategy with World Animal Protection External Affairs’ contact point, including providing recommendations on outreach and intelligence on (likely) government and key stakeholder positions
- Identify priority decision-makers to approach in relation to our campaign, with a recommended outreach strategy – including how to mitigate any opposition
- Identify opportunities to raise the profile of our campaign (including legislative opportunities for a wildlife trade ban, media moments etc.)
- Conduct written, virtual and (where possible/safe) in-person outreach to and lobbying of agreed priority decision-makers
- Participate in at least a fortnightly call with the World Animal Protection External Affairs contact point
- Availability to join relevant internal World Animal Protection calls when asked (potentially up to twice per month)
- Liaise as necessary with NGOs and other partners, in co-ordination with World Animal Protection
- Suggesting media our communications teams could reach out to
- Provide weekly written updates on relevant updates in Italy (detailing all work undertaken, any relevant developments and proposing next steps)
- Provide regular support to the global team in advance of key G20/other global moments (e.g. Summits)
- Produce final 1-page ‘lessons learned’ report after the campaign including recommendations for future campaigns
Timeframe
- Start date: 13th July 2020
- July - August: Review and refine advocacy strategy, including stakeholder mapping
- August - September: Outreach to key potential allies
- October: Provide support to global team in advance of the November G20 Summit; continued outreach to allies and media
- November: Final outreach to key stakeholders in relation to G20 summit; ‘Lessons learned report’
Requirements
- Strong experience of working with the national government of Italy
- Good connections with national-level policymakers and civil servants
- Good connections with NGOs - ideally Wildlife and Animal Welfare NGOs - and other relevant stakeholders
- Good knowledge of national legislative processes
- Proven track record in working confidently and constructively with a range of in-house teams
- Experience of designing and implementing advocacy strategies
- Fluency in English and Italian
- Ability to prioritise and work to strict deadlines
- Experience of working with the G20 (desirable)
- Good connections with celebrities and journalists (desirable)
About World Animal Protection
We are World Animal Protection. For over 50 years, we have moved the world to protect animals. We protect animals because we believe a sustainable future for the planet can only be achieved if both animals and people are part of the solution.
We are active in more than 50 countries. We work with governments, local partners, animal welfare organisations, businesses and communities to find practical ways to prevent animal suffering and cruelty worldwide. We collaborate with international bodies including the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Council of Europe and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Through our work, we seek national and international policy change to improve the lives of billions of animals, because animal protection is a fundamental part of a sustainable future.
Other organisations may call this role Wildlife Campaign Specialist, Advocacy Campaign Manager, Campaign Manager, Advocacy Campaign Consultant, or Wildlife Campaign Consultant.
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