EU Budget Advocacy Consultant

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

DESCRIPTION OF SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant will provide strategic advisory, advocacy support and external relationship management services to ONE with a specific focus on national-level engagement on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

The consultant will typically cover a 10-month period (from February to December 2026, with no services expected over the summer) for approximately 2 days per month.

PROFILE

We are looking for an experienced consultant to support our advocacy in defense of EU ODA. The consultant will already be well embedded in the national policy and advocacy ecosystem and have established working relationships with relevant government officials, parliamentary actors and civil society stakeholders.

The consultant should be adept at navigating national processes and politics, with knowledge of development policy, the EU, and its long-term budget negotiations a significant advantage. The consultant is expected to be proactive and strategically minded, able to independently identify advocacy opportunities and put forward concrete recommendations.

OBJECTIVES

• Develop and support execution of a national engagement plan, identifying key advocacy milestones and identify opportunities for engagement.
• Lead the organization and execution of advocacy trips with senior ONE staff.
• Ensure timely sharing of intelligence, updates and analysis to inform ONE's overall MFF strategy.
• Establish productive working relationships with the relevant parliamentarians, government officials, and other key national stakeholders, ensuring ONE's priorities are promoted at strategic moments.
• Strengthen coordination with local civil society actors and coalitions, identifying opportunities for collaboration and joint activities.

ACTIVITIES AND DELIVERABLES

The consultant's services will include, but not be limited to, the following areas:

• Political monitoring and strategic analysis
• Monitor national political developments relevant to the EU MFF, including government positions, parliamentary debates and budget processes
• Provide timely written and verbal analysis to inform advocacy strategy, ensuring insights are timely, concise, and action-oriented
• Identify political opportunities and risks related to the MFF and EU external action spending
• Advocacy outreach and political support
• Support the drafting of advocacy letters, messaging and analysis targeting national decision-makers
• Provide input into joint advocacy initiatives with EU-level or cross-national coalitions, as relevant
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
• Build and maintain relationships with key national stakeholders, including relevant ministries, parliamentarians and advisors involved in the definition of a national position on the MFF
• Support the organization of advocacy meetings for senior ONE staff, including briefing ONE staff and partners on the local context as needed
• Share insights from stakeholder engagement promptly and track outcomes
• Civil society coordination
• Identify and lead on opportunities for joint advocacy, coordinated messaging, or shared interventions
• Organize and/or participate in briefing calls and meetings with partner organizations to discuss strategy, share intelligence and scope potential collaboration, with a view to playing a coordinating role, if appropriate

REPORTING AND COORDINATION:

• The consultant will work under the supervision of ONE, in close coordination with the EU policy and advocacy team
• Regular check-ins (e.g. bi-weekly or monthly) will be agreed at the outset
• The consultant is expected to provide rapid updates around critical political moments (typically within 24 hours)
• ONE will provide the consultant with the following input/support:
• Relevant policy positions, advocacy materials, and internal analysis,
• Access to EU-level advocacy strategies and timelines related to the MFF,
• Points of contact within the organization for coordination and alignment.

LOCATION: Remote

CONTRACT: 10-month period (from February to December 2026, with no services expected over the summer) for approximately 2 days per month.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Fluency in Local Language and English required.