Civil Society Engagement Manager

Role Overview

As the senior lead for civil society engagement, you will guide how World Animal Protection works with grassroots groups, networks and partner organisations across priority regions and campaign areas. You will shape engagement strategies, build alliances and lead a multicultural team, helping turn collective support into stronger campaign influence for animal welfare.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate civil society and grassroots engagement across priority countries and campaign work.
• Design and deliver strategies that deepen partner involvement and advance campaign outcomes.
• Develop and sustain partnerships, coalitions and alliances aligned with organisational priorities.
• Identify ways to broaden the organisation’s influence and strengthen shared impact through stakeholder relationships.
• Advise colleagues on effective movement building, coalition development and grassroots engagement.
• Track political, social and stakeholder developments to spot risks and opportunities relevant to campaigns.
• Represent World Animal Protection in dealings with civil society organisations, networks, coalitions and other external groups.
• Lead, support and develop Civil Society Engagement Leads, setting direction and helping the team deliver high-quality work.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience engaging and managing civil society stakeholders across multiple geographies.
• A record of building and strengthening strategic partnerships, coalitions or networks.
• Leadership experience, including the ability to guide multicultural and multifunctional teams and motivate them toward ambitious goals.
• Strong relationship management skills and confidence representing an organisation externally.
• Experience developing partnerships and using negotiation and influencing skills to reach agreement among diverse stakeholders.
• Experience managing projects and budgets within complex programmes.
• Experience working across countries and cultures; work in the Global South is particularly relevant.
• Professional fluency in English and either Spanish or Portuguese, with strong writing, speaking and presentation skills. Fluency in both Spanish and Portuguese is an advantage.
• Commitment to animal welfare and alignment with World Animal Protection’s mission and values.
• Experience in an international NGO or matrix organisation, or supporting organisational growth and fundraising, is an advantage but not essential.

What We Offer / Why Join

• 25 days of annual leave each calendar year, plus two Global Wellbeing midyear closure days and three year-end closure days. Part-time entitlement is prorated.
• Annual leave increases by one day for each year of service, up to five additional days. Employees also receive one extra day at 10 years of service and every five years thereafter.
• A pension scheme with a 6% employer contribution and 4% employee contribution.
• Group life cover, GPA/WIBA cover and medical insurance covering inpatient and outpatient care, maternity, dental, optical and counselling services.
• The option to exchange public holidays for alternative days that better suit an employee’s beliefs.
• Inclusivity-related leave provisions include four days of study leave; three months of maternity leave; two weeks of paternity leave; 26 weeks of adoption leave; 10 days of bereavement or compassionate leave; 10 days of pregnancy-loss leave per year; three days of carers or dependent leave; 10 days of disability leave; 12 days of menstrual and menopause leave; up to five days per fertility-treatment cycle for a maximum of three cycles; 20 days of gender-affirming medical leave; two days of companion-animal bereavement leave; and jury service and armed forces leave.
• Two days of volunteer leave per year, prorated for part-time employees, and flexible working options.
• Free, confidential employee assistance available 24/7 by phone, email or online, in many languages.
• Internal candidates are encouraged to apply, with opportunities for existing staff to progress into other roles.