Specialist-Advocacy & Network Support

Sense International; Ahmedabad District; Presencial; INR 350.000 - 520.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Sense International India, also known as Sense India, invites applications for an entry-to-early-career role supporting advocacy work and networks across India. You will assist planning, documentation, and events, coordinating with partners and the communications team.

The role develops advocacy skills while engaging with deafblindness rights and related policy work. Essentially you will help with materials, meetings, and basic desk research, while traveling locally to participate in awareness

Formación

• Graduate degree, preferably with Social Science, Social Work, Political Science, Mass Communication, or related subject.
• 1-2 years of relevant experience; freshers with genuine interest in advocacy are encouraged to apply.
• Interest in disability rights and deafblindness, good written and verbal communication.
• Willingness to travel locally and regionally; ability to follow deadlines and coordinate tasks.
• Working proficiency in English and Hindi.

Responsabilidades

• Support advocacy activities and assist in planning, documentation and outreach.
• Prepare materials for awareness events and coordinate with communications team.
• Provide on-ground support at advocacy events and liaise with partner organisations.
• Maintain stakeholder records and assist in network coordination with senior staff.
• Attend meetings, take notes, share drafts, and escalate issues when needed.
• Uphold confidentiality and contribute to role development as networks evolve.

Conocimientos

Written communication

Verbal communication

MS Office

Time management

Team player

Interpersonal skills

Travel willingness

English proficiency

Hindi proficiency

Educación

Graduate degree (Social Science / Social Work / Political Science / Mass Communication or related)

Herramientas

MS Office

Email tools

Descripción del empleo

Job Summary

Sense International India, also known as Sense India, was established in 1997 as the first and only non-governmental organisation to support the development of comprehensive services for people with deafblindness and multiple disabilities throughout India. Sense India works in partnership with persons with deafblindness, their families, carers and professionals to ensure that everyone facing challenges because of deafblindness has access to advice, opportunities and support; we have been making an impact for the last 29 years. Our primary stakeholders have been encouraged over the years to come together as self-help groups called Networks.

Sense India is an equal opportunity employer and qualified persons with disabilities and women candidates are encouraged to apply. Disabled people, especially persons with deafblindness, will be given preference for this post, and eligibility criteria may be relaxed for suitable candidates with deafblindness. Sense Indias policies and procedures reflect our commitment to adhering to child rights and protecting children and vulnerable adults from exploitation, neglect, violence and abuse.

Role Overview

This post provides front-line support to the advocacy work of Sense International India, under the guidance of the Senior Specialist -Network Communication Support. The primary focus of the role is to support the planning, implementation and documentation of lobbying and advocacy activities aimed at greater awareness and recognition of the rights of deafblind people, with a lighter, supporting layer of coordination with network members where advocacy work intersects with the networks. The role is entry-to-early-career in nature and is designed to build the post-holders skills in advocacy while offering exposure to networks management.

Key Responsibilities

• Advocacy Support (primary focus)
  • Support the Senior Specialist in implementing the annual advocacy and lobbying activity plan, including basic tracking of progress against planned activities.
  • Help prepare and organise materials (presentations, handouts, translations) used in awareness-raising and advocacy events, in coordination with the communications team.
  • Provide on-ground and logistical support at advocacy events, government/development platforms, and awareness campaigns, including basic documentation of proceedings.
  • Support outreach to partner organisations, helping them access advocacy resources and connecting them with relevant government or development platforms.
  • Assist in compiling inputs, case stories, and examples from the field for use in advocacy materials, position papers, and policy submissions.
  • Support basic desk research on existing policies and schemes relevant to deafblindness/multiple disabilities, under the guidance of the Senior Specialist.
  • Help maintain records of stakeholder engagement (government officials, partner organisations, media) for the advocacy function.
  • Assist in organising local-level awareness events, including logistics, invitations, and follow-up documentation.
• Basic Network Coordination Support
  • Provide light-touch coordination with network members where their participation is needed for advocacy activities or events (eg sharing information, confirming attendance).
  • Support the Senior Specialist with basic updates to the network membership database when advocacy-related interactions generate new information.
  • Take notes during meetings that involve network members and advocacy stakeholders, and share basic drafts for review.
  • Escalate substantive network coordination matters (beyond routine information-sharing) to the Senior Specialist.
• General Responsibilities
  • Uphold confidentiality at all times and ensure compliance with Sense International Indias confidentiality and data protection policies.
  • Contribute to the development of the role as the organisation and networks evolve.
  • Undertake any tasks consistent with the post-holders skills and abilities as may be reasonably requested from time to time.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Work closely with the Senior Specialist and other relevant staff across Sense International India to ensure smooth coordination.
  • Take on additional responsibilities as agreed with the Senior Specialist - Network Coordination Support.
  • Be willing to attend meetings, participate in events, and travel locally/regionally as required, including occasional irregular hours.

This is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The role is intended to develop over time, with scope for greater responsibility as the post-holder gains experience.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements

• Graduate degree, preferably with Social Science, Social Work, Political Science, Mass Communication, or a related subject.
• 1-2 years of relevant experience (freshers with a genuine interest in advocacy, disability rights, or the development sector are encouraged to apply); internship or volunteering experience will count.
• Basic understanding of, or demonstrated interest in, disability rights and issues affecting deafblind people.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to help prepare simple advocacy/awareness materials.
• Comfort with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and basic email/communication tools.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally and regionally as required.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to follow through on assigned tasks and meet deadlines.
• A strong team player with good interpersonal skills and a willingness to learn.
• Working proficiency in English and Hindi.

Desirable

• Prior internship, volunteering, or work experience in advocacy, human rights, or the disability/development sector.
• Basic knowledge of policy issues related to disability, children, or marginalised populations.
• Some exposure to public speaking, event coordination, or liaison with government/media.
• Knowledge of a regional language relevant to the organisations operating areas.

Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The job description is subject to change depending on the evolving needs of the organisation. Disabled people, especially persons with deafblindness, will be given preference for this post, and eligibility criteria may be relaxed for suitable candidates with deafblindness.