Who are we?
The Danish Refugee Council’s (DRC) Global Advocacy Unit sits within the Partnerships, Advocacy, Engagement and Resource Mobilization Department. The Global Advocacy Unit is the custodian, convener and coordinator for advocacy and public affairs at DRC. The Global Advocacy Unit is a global unit, positioned to engage with policy and decision makers as well as influencers. This includes in Denmark and around the world, within the UN and other regional and multilateral organizations, among bilateral donors, and other governmental and non-governmental actors. The Global Advocacy Unit is responsible for setting the advocacy strategic direction and goals, in line with DRC´s organizational strategic priorities.
About the job
This role is part of the Global Advocacy Unit and seeks to promote DRC as a credible humanitarian and development actor with expertise in displacement, among key Danish decision makers, influencers and other stakeholders. The role promotes a consistent and cohesive voice on DRC´s key positions and messages with the intention of elevating and amplifying DRC´s evidenced based advocacy and external engagement in Denmark. This newly created role includes strategic advisory, coordination, internal support, external engagement and influencing elements. In close coordination with DRC’s Asylum, Refugee Rights and Integration Divisions and the Institutional Donors Unit, the role will establish and build relationships with key personnel within the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration, other key ministries and institutions, members of parliament and their staff, the private sector, other existing and new key Danish influencers and stakeholders, as well as other relevant internal stakeholders.
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop and implement DRC’s Danish facing public affairs strategy, in consultation with relevant colleagues across different units, and advise and coordinate the participation of the Secretary General and other members of the Executive team in key Danish policy processes, conferences, and events. This includes mapping out new opportunities and spaces to influence Danish policy making and public debates
- Lead and organize high profile public affairs events with key Danish influencers
- Lead on DRC’s humanitarian and development related advocacy towards Danish decision makers and advise the organization on how best to influence Danish institutions and members of parliament to ensure Denmark’s policy responses and funding decisions are principled, in respect of IHL and global commitments, and enabling of effective humanitarian operations to meet the needs of displacement and crisis-affected populations
- Develop and maintain constructive relationships with Danish decision makers, elected officials and their staff, and other relevant private sector representatives
- Liaise with the EU Representation Office on coordination of policy developments which Denmark can influence as an EU member, or which is it leading on from Copenhagen
- Monitor relevant Danish policy developments and make recommendations on how DRC should prepare and react as relevant and necessary
- Lead on the development and dissemination of high-quality advocacy products: briefings, talking points, speeches, letters etc. for internal and external use
About you
To be successful in this role we expect you to be a senior public affairs and advocacy professional, with significant experience influencing diverse Danish decision makers, institutions and influencers. You have excellent planning and coordination skills, with the ability to organize a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities. You have strong advisory, coordination, teamwork, and collaboration skills and well-established Danish contacts and networks.
Moreover, we also expect the following:
Required:
- Masters Degree in public policy, international relations or a similar relevant field
- Experience working for a Danish member of parliament or parliamentary process, in a key ministry or a relevant Danish institution
- Senior advocacy and public affairs experience influencing Danish decision makers and advocacy towards the Danish parliament, ministries and institutions and with well-established Danish contacts and networks
- Extensive speech writing skills for senior officials, as well as experience drafting high-level briefings and talking points
- Demonstrated experience in developing sound and actionable policy recommendations which are evidence-based and tailored to Danish decision makers and stakeholders and with the ability to present arguments in a concise, structured, compelling, and articulated manner.
- Proven ability to strategically engage on advocacy policy agendas.
- Familiar with the work of civil society, non-governmental organizations, the United Nations, institutional donors, and/or political structures.
- Experience at building and managing relationships with key external and internal stakeholders
- Demonstrated ability to leverage Danish events and processes for influence and visibility
- Fluent in Danish and English
Desirable:
- 10 years’ experience minimum of influencing and advocacy work towards Danish decision makers and stakeholders
- Knowledge of human rights, refugee rights, international humanitarian law, rights-based programming, and protection principles.
- Previous experience in representing NGOs or UN agencies in formal settings.
- Experience in a similar or complementary humanitarian advocacy role with a country, regional, global, or thematic focus.
We offer
Contract length: Permanent contract. This is a national position for which local terms and salary conditions apply.
Workplace: Borgergade 10, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Start date: As soon as possible
Application process:
- Deadline for applications is Monday 16 June 2025
- Interviews will be held on Monday 23 – Tuesday 24 June 2025
- Please apply using the link. Applications sent by email will not be considered
Further information:
For questions regarding the vacancy please contact Head of Global Advocacy, Louise Allen: [email protected]
For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.
Working at DRC
Help applying
DRC as an employer
Founded in 1956, DRC Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world - and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In over 30 countries, we protect, advocate and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.
By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of over 6000 employees. We pride ourselves on our:
- Professionalism, impact & expertise
- Humanitarian approach & the work we do
- Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
- Culture, values & strong leadership
- Fair compensation & continuous development
DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.
Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants based on individual merit and qualifications, regardless of personal characteristics or attributes. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce, aiming for a 50% balance of men and women in management roles and ensuring that at least 50% of management roles are filled by national staff. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is crucial for achieving our organizational goals and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.