Senior Advocacy Advisor Humanitarian Response

War Child; New York (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional growth opportunities

Collaborative culture

Meaningful impact on children's lives

Job summary

An international NGO is looking for a Senior Advocacy Advisor based in New York. The role focuses on leading humanitarian advocacy efforts, shaping policy, and influencing decision-makers to support children affected by conflict. Ideal candidates should have significant experience in humanitarian sectors, strong analytical skills, and the ability to produce high-quality policy materials. This position offers a salary range of $75,000–$90,000 and a local contract, requiring office attendance three days a week.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in humanitarian advocacy, policy, or influencing roles.
• Proven ability to influence decision-makers.
• Experience working on child protection, MHPSS, or education in emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead War Child’s humanitarian advocacy strategy.
• Provide strategic advice on humanitarian policy.
• Produce high-quality policy briefs and advocacy materials.

Skills

Advocacy

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Writing skills

Education

Graduate degree

Job description

Overview

Your mission We believe no child should be part of war. War Child is seeking a Senior Advocacy Advisor – Humanitarian Response (US-based, New York) to lead our humanitarian advocacy and influence decision-makers to better protect and support conflict-affected children. This role will build and sustain influential relationships with key humanitarian partners, including UN agencies and institutional donors, respond rapidly to emerging and protracted crises, and shape organisational positions on humanitarian reform and system-wide change. The postholder will champion locally driven, equitable responses and ensure children’s voices are reflected in global policy discussions.

Success in this role includes leading the renewal of War Child Alliance’s ECOSOC status, organising high-impact advocacy events and engagements in UN policy spaces, including UNGA and other global forums, and representing War Child with credibility and authority. We are looking for a senior professional with significant experience in humanitarian advocacy or policy influencing within an INGO, UN, or multilateral setting; a strong understanding of the humanitarian system and reform agenda; and excellent analytical and writing skills to produce high-quality, evidence-based policy materials. The role requires strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy and emotional intelligence, experience supporting country teams in conflict-affected contexts, and a clear commitment to child rights, safeguarding, and humanitarian principles.

What you will do

• Strategy and Leadership
  • Lead and implement War Child’s humanitarian advocacy strategy in line with organisational priorities and country realities.
  • Provide strategic advice to senior leadership on humanitarian policy trends, risks, and opportunities affecting children in conflict.
  • Shape organisational positioning during major crises, emergencies, and global policy moments.
• Knowledge and Policy Development
  • Analyse humanitarian policies, funding mechanisms, and reform agendas through a child rights lens.
  • Produce high-quality, evidence-based policy briefs and advocacy materials grounded in programme learning and community experience.
  • Ensure meaningful input from local partners and stakeholders in policy development.
• Collaboration, Safeguarding and Accountability
  • Work closely with country teams, technical specialists, and communications colleagues to align advocacy with operational realities and ensure coherent messaging.
  • Uphold safeguarding standards, ethical storytelling, and accountability commitments.
  • Promote safe and meaningful participation of children and young people in advocacy.

To learn more about the role, please review the Job Description.

Your profile

Education

• Graduate degree level education

Experience

• Significant experience in humanitarian advocacy, policy, or influencing roles, ideally within an INGO, UN agency, or similar organisation.
• Proven ability to influence decision-makers and contribute to policy change at national or international level.
• Experience working on child protection, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), education in emergencies, or related sectors.
• Experience of work in within UN agency and multilateral system.
• Experience supporting or working with country teams in conflict-affected or fragile contexts.
• Experience engaging directly with institutional donors.

Languages

• English essential, French / Arabic desirable

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of the humanitarian system, including donors, coordination mechanisms, and current reform agendas.
• Familiarity with humanitarian–development–peace nexus debates and practice.

Skills

• Excellent analytical and writing skills, with experience producing high-quality policy and advocacy materials.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and work collaboratively across cultures and functions.

What We Offer

• Location : New York City/ within commuting distance. Preference is given to applicants who reside and have valid working permits. War Child does not offer relocation or visa sponsorship.
• Salary Range: $75,000–$90,000, depending on experience level.
• Role holders are expected to work from the office 3-days per week.
• Type of Contract : Local contract with salary and secondary labour conditions based on the in-country salary scale, local T&C's will apply.

Why You Should Apply

• Meaningful Impact : Contribute directly to improving the lives of children and families affected by conflict through quality education and long-term, sustainable change.
• Professional Growth: Join a dynamic organisation that values learning, innovation, and professional development, with opportunities for capacity building and growth through the role and War Child’s global network.
• Global Reach : Play a key role in scaling a ground-breaking programme across multiple conflict-affected contexts worldwide.
• Collaborative & Inclusive Culture : Work alongside passionate, mission-driven colleagues in a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace that prioritises safety, fairness and equal opportunity for all.

How To Apply

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications (CV and motivation letter in English) by March 27, 2026. We are reviewing submissions on a rolling basis, so early applications are strongly recommended.

Note: This page includes safeguarding and integrity information and a disclaimer about applications. See original job posting for full details.