# Application for Campaigner ([Avaaz](https://avaaz.org)) Why are you interested in working with Avaaz? [200 words max] * Avaaz tackles the issues that I care about by mobilizing people to take positive action. Avaaz seizes the moment of opportunity in a crisis (the ‘crisistunity’) and brings bursts of attention to campaigns on important issues worldwide using the power of internet virality. I believe this is the future of progressive activitism and Avaaz is at the forefront, weaving online campaigning into democracy, quickly righting wrongs and changing the world. In short, Avaaz makes a real difference, and I want to be a part of it. As an employer I believe Avaaz practices what it preaches. The ethic of servant leadership appeals to my beliefs and skills, and the flexible and virtual working environment allows me to perform at my best. I believe in meritocracy and thrive in an unbureaucratic environment where ideas are welcomed and successes rewarded. I want a job that aligns with my values, but that is also sustainable on a personal level. Avaaz is one of very few organizations that can truly offer this. Describe yourself in 50 words or less * I am an idealist and activist. I am driven by my values, but am always considered and pragmatic. I am highly motivated, aspirational and tech-savvy. I have a genuine thirst for knowledge and always look for opportunities to learn about the world, understand others and expand my horizons. Please describe a professional achievement you are proud of and the role that you played: [300 words max] * As a Research Assistant at two of Australia’s top universities I played a pivotal role in developing graduate courses in Renewable Energy Law. The increased utilization of renewable energy requires lawyers and policymakers to be engaged and knowledgeable, yet such courses are not common in law schools. It was therefore important that the courses were received favorably in order to be continued and to propagate further. I researched current developments, key issues and legal aspects of renewables, and distilled hundreds of articles into a concise and pertinent set of reading materials. I developed challenging classroom activities and assessment questions to stimulate interest, discussion, and research. I vigorously promoted the courses and adapted them to students’ interests. The courses were well-attended and received very positive feedback. As a result, they were continued and more universities now offer this important subject. How do you like to be managed? On a spectrum from having lots of freedom and initiative to having a manager who works very closely with you, what's your ideal? [150 words max] * My preference is to be given a lot of freedom and a broad scope to use my own initiative. I am comfortable making decisions quickly and effectively, and taking responsibility for both positive and negative outcomes. An overarching strategy is necessary, but I believe this is best achieved by working together, rather than through a hierarchical, top-down structure. Once this is in place, I appreciate knowing that a manager is there if I need clarification or assistance, but am otherwise content to work with a high level of independence. Give an example of feedback on your performance that was both tough and valuable. *Use an example from your work. During a period of immense difficulty in my personal life, a senior colleague gave me feedback to the effect that she had noticed that my overall performance had dipped. It was tough to hear this feedback as it alerted me to the fact that personal issues were interfering with my performance on an important project. I wanted to give the project my all and was disappointed in myself for not doing so. The feedback was valuable as it gave me the opportunity to be open and honest with my colleague. I explained my situation and we agreed that a few days of leave would enable me to return to peak performance. Having the issue on the table made me feel more comfortable and I was able to return to my best shortly thereafter. How would you define great leadership? * Sometimes leadership can be providing direction and setting a path for others to follow, but I think great leadership is more about empowering and inspiring others to give their best. This means listening, empathizing, and acknowledging the ideas and contributions of others. What 3 issues are you most interested in working on? * Climate change/environment Food security/sovereignty ### Gay rights Please choose one global issue mentioned in the news today, and suggest 3 or more strategies for what Avaaz could do about it: [200 words max] Three journalists working for Al-Jazeera were remanded in custody for 15 days by the Egyptian authorities, with the possibility of indefinite extension if charged. Two other staff have been held without charge for five months • Send a joint email to members with the Committee to Protect Journalists and Al Anstey, director of Al-Jazeera English, who has publicly stated that the detentions were "outrageous" and the accusations are "totally false and unfounded” • Arrange local protests at the Egyptian embassies in Canada and Australia (nationalities of two of the journalists). • Start a petition to the Egyptian Public Prosecutor calling for the immediate release of the prisoners. ### Campaigner Campaigners are at the core of the organization’s advocacy work, from research and development of global and national online campaigns, to offline stunts and campaign deliveries. This is an exciting position at the heart of one of the most innovative and promising public organizations in the world today. It offers a unique platform from which to help develop and pursue large scale social change efforts. As a Campaigner, you will support and help lead the research, development, and running of campaigns on a range of national and global issues, helping to channel the time and money of our members in the most effective ways possible. This position will report to one of Avaaz’s Campaign Directors. Responsibilities ● Monitoring world events and identifying opportunities for strong campaigns. ● Consulting with experts and supporting the development of a strong strategy, policy, and message. ● Drafting campaign emails and other communications. ● Assisting Campaign Directors in organizing campaign actions and logistics, from ad buys to public petition deliveries ● Public speaking and media. ● Publishing and editing online content. Correspondence and consultation (e.g. polling) with members. ● Localizing and rewriting communications in other languages, depending on fluency. ● Helping to shape the overall strategic direction of the organization, and at times supporting other tasks of the organisation including recruitment, team building and management, and special projects. ### Qualifications This is a challenging role that requires hard work, flexibility, good judgment, initiative and an ability to deliver results. The core competencies which any successful candidate will display are: ● Professionalism, efficiency and resultsoriented delivery on short timelines. ● Excellent written and oral communication skills. ● Passion and commitment to global justice, citizen empowerment and social change. ● Understanding of how civic advocacy and public campaigning function. ● Strong teamwork skills, comfortable in a highly collaborative team culture and a hierarchical team structure. ● Enthusiasm for a wide range of global issues, and a readiness to move swiftly between them, while being able to rapidly focus in on the details of each. ● Strong strategic thinking and campaign planning skills. ● Tech savvy. ● Creativity for campaign tactics and strategies. Fluency in English is a requirement. Fluency in other languages is desirable, especially Japanese, Russian, Korean, Hindi, Indonesian and Spanish. We are also looking for staff in the Australasian, Indian and Americas timezones, and in Palestine . However, our team needs many more strong generalists, based anywhere with no additional languages, so please apply regardless. ### Location Avaaz is a virtual organization, with most of our work done over email, telephone and Skype. Our staff are based in cities all over the world and meet at team retreats twice per year. Avaaz covers office costs, either to establish a home office or to rent one, and we support staff to house themselves in local similar organisations when preferred. ### Compensation and Benefits Salary varies with location and experience, but is highly competitive with leading nongovernmental organizations. Benefits also range with location, but include 5 weeks paid vacation per year. ### To Apply Interested candidates should apply via the web form at http://www.avaaz.org/job_application_form 23/12/13 Avaaz - Avaaz is hiring 60 changemakers 10 reasons to join Avaaz 1. We’re winning -- our campaigning works and we’re changing politics and practices across the world. Check out our recent victories here. Or see what the world’s media is saying about ushere. 2. Our tactics are bold and effective -- we do what’s needed to win campaigns, whether it’s pioneering the use of satellite phones and other technology to support Arab spring democracy movements or lobbying ministers for a global climate deal. 3. The mission is the metric -- we don’t have powerful funders controlling our strategy. We work with members to do what’s best for the world each and every time. 4. We thrive in risky situations -- we don’t let powerful forces like Rupert Murdoch’s media empire bully us with legal, brand or financial threats. We’re experts at navigating risk and meeting threats head on, in the media, the courts or on the streets. 5. We pay sustainable salaries -- our salaries are competitive and we believe in supporting a long term commitment to the work we do. 6. Our team is awesome -- it’s chock full of brilliant people at the top of their field in law, politics, civil society and more. We’re no drama and a heck of a lot of fun. 7. We have great work-life balance -- it’s a professional responsibility and there’s huge support to nail it. We believe we all work best when we are rested and enjoying a full life outside of the office. 8. You can be anywhere -- except for a few roles that require a specific location, our staff can be based anywhere with an airport and a great internet connection. If you want to work from one of our large offices in New York or London, you can do that, or live on an island somewhere! 9. We’re fiercely meritocratic -- our hierarchy is based on judgment and we are constantly checking it against objective standards that are 100% transparent. We believe in the best ideas becoming instantly recognized and adopted, and all jobs and roles are assigned meritocratically. 10. There’s no drama -- we work as one team to change the world. You may need to see it to believe it, but we’ve got a team where gossip, drama, internal politics and all that draining stuff just doesn't exist. www.avaaz.org/en/hiring/?pv=163&rc=fb 1/1