Head of Advocacy

MAG (Mines Advisory Group) is an international humanitarian organisation based in Manchester, UK, and working in 32 countries. We remove landmines and unexploded ordnance to release safe and productive land for communities, and work to reduce the threat of armed violence by supporting governments to safely manage weapons and ammunition. In 1997, MAG was a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for our work campaigning for the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.

Job Purpose

You will provide leadership for MAG’s global advocacy and influencing work, ensuring engagement with political, institutional, and sector stakeholders is focused, coordinated, and aligned with organisational priorities.

The Head of Advocacy will lead the development and delivery of MAG’s advocacy strategy across key geographies and fora, including national governments, multilateral institutions, and sector networks. The role ensures that MAG’s policy positions are translated into clear and targeted influencing approaches, and that advocacy activity supports organisational objectives.

Working closely with the Director of Policy and Strategic Partnerships, the Head of Policy, and colleagues across MAG, the role strengthens MAG’s external influence and ensures a coordinated approach across teams and regions.

 Advocacy Leadership and Strategy

• Lead the development and delivery of MAG’s global advocacy strategy, aligned with organisational priorities and policy positions
• Identify priority targets, geographies, and influencing opportunities across national, regional, and multilateral contexts
• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership on advocacy opportunities, risks, and positioning

External Engagement and Representation

• Represent MAG at senior level with governments, multilateral institutions, and sector networks
• Build and maintain relationships with key decision-makers and advocacy peers across priority geographies
• Lead MAG’s engagement in relevant advocacy fora, including parliamentary, multilateral, and sector spaces
• Support senior MAG staff to engage effectively with advocacy targets

Delivery of Advocacy and Influencing

• Oversee the design and delivery of advocacy initiatives that support MAG’s objectives
• Ensure the development of high-quality advocacy materials, including briefings and messaging
• Ensure advocacy activity is coordinated across MAG and aligned with organisational priorities

Advocacy Management and Internal Coherence

• Provide leadership and line management to the Advocacy Manager and wider advocacy function
• Conduct appraisal meetings in line with MAG policy, agreeing and reviewing progress towards individual targets on a regular basis.
• Ensure clear planning and prioritisation of advocacy activities
• Strengthen internal understanding of advocacy priorities and approaches
• Ensure consistency of messaging across advocacy, policy, communications, and programme engagement
• Sector Engagement and Positioning
• Build and maintain relationships with advocacy peers and coalitions across the humanitarian and disarmament sectors
• Influence sector advocacy agendas in line with MAG’s priorities and expertise

Management

• Contribute to PSP planning and organisational strategy
• Support business planning and programme development
• Manage resources in line with agreed priorities
• Provide updates to the Director of Policy and Strategic Partnerships
• Deputise as required