Global Advocacy Lead

Unit's description and purpose: 

The Global Advocacy unit leads Fairtrade International's policy and citizen engagement efforts, supporting the "Inspire a collective commitment to fair and sustainable trade" pillar of the 2026-2028 Global Strategy. It amplifies the voices of farmers and workers, informs and influences policy, and builds partnerships that strengthen representation and equity in sustainable supply chains -- positioning Fairtrade as a leading, coherent voice in sustainable trade at EU, global, and local levels.

Role purpose: 

The Global Advocacy Lead guides Fairtrade International's advocacy work and directly manages the Global Advocacy team, supporting the wider Fairtrade system's efforts to multiply impact through proven producer-driven solutions that deliver policy and practice change for smallholder farmers and workers globally.

Following a recent review of Fairtrade's advocacy work, the post holder works closely with the Fairtrade Advocacy Community of Practice -- the three producer networks, 19 national organisations, and the Fair Trade Advocacy Office (FTAO) -- to reshape advocacy output and build on existing successes. Given Fairtrade's lean global centre and inter-dependent structure, the role's focus is on directly managing the Global Advocacy team while providing leadership, coherence, and a unified advocacy output.

Leadership and Global Coherence -- approx. 35%

• Lead a coordinated EU/global/local advocacy programme centred on farmer and worker voices.
• Align producer networks, national organisations, and the FTAO via the Advocacy Community of Practice.
• Produce policy briefs to build thought leadership on priority topics.

Policy and Representation -- approx. 35%

• Lead Fairtrade's global advocacy presence, monitoring EU/multilateral policy and influencing decision-makers with key partners.
• Represent Fairtrade at high-level fora and support other senior advocates.
• Turn policy analysis into advocacy actions that improve outcomes for farmers and workers.
• Advance Fair Trade Towns and embed Fairtrade principles into local procurement.
• Strengthen national-global advocacy links and producer network capacity.
• Sign off Fairtrade-wide advocacy positions, escalating high-risk cases to leadership.
• Build external coalitions with peers, multilaterals, and private sector actors.

Best Practice and Skill Development -- approx. 10%

• Lead a capacity-building programme embedding strong advocacy practice system-wide.
• Work with producer networks and national organisations to accelerate regional advocacy.
• Develop measures to track advocacy impact.

Team Management and Relationships -- approx. 20%

• Manage and develop the Global Advocacy team, setting priorities and ways of working.
• Support the Advocacy Community of Practice and its focal points.
• Partner with impact and programme teams to embed advocacy and source evidence for policy positions.
• Partner with communications for integrated advocacy work and represent advocacy in leadership forums.

Other tasks consistent with the level and responsibilities of this post

Education & Experience

Postgraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field. 7+ years senior advocacy leadership experience, with people-management background, ideally in a decentralised structure.

Language

Fluent English with excellent written communication skills. Proficiency in a second language (e.g., French or Spanish) is desired.

Job-Specific Knowledge

• Strong grasp of EU/multilateral institutions and how to influence them on trade and producer-rights policy.
• Experience building advocacy strategies combining lobbying, research, media, and campaigning.
• Advanced knowledge of sustainable trade and development issues; HREDD/climate/agriculture expertise a plus.
• Proven experience representing complex issues to high-level decision-makers and media.
• Producer-country experience is desirable.

Personal Qualities

• Bridge-builder with strong people and project-management skills.
• Balances vision, strategy, and pragmatism.
• Skilled in mediation, consensus-building, and cross-cultural collaboration.
• Well-organised, able to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• Committed to gender, diversity, and producer inclusion.

Software / Tools

o      MS 365, Kobo Toolbox, Miro, Claude.ai (or equivalents)

• This is a full-time position within Fairtrade International
• Location is at Fairtrade International offices in Bonn, Germany with the opportunity for hybrid work arrangements 
• The office language is English.
• Salary commensurate with competencies and qualifications, starting at 95,000 Euros gross per year  
• 30 days of holidays per year (for fulltime employees)
• Subsidised public transportation ticket 
• Subsidised meal services 
• Childcare cost subsidy 

Please note that Fairtrade International is strict on compliance with the required qualification criteria mentioned above, and only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.