SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Officer
Role descriptor

Role: SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Officer

Team or project it is part of: CampaignOUT – SDG Team

Reporting to: Caitlin Martin (Lead Volunteer)

 

What does this role do?

 

ReportOUT recognise that the crossover between human rights and international development is a natural one, however we also recognise that sexual and gender minorities are often ignored as an international development issue. We intend to change this. We feel that the representation of issues facing sexual and gender minorities needs to be part of Agenda 2030, so that nobody is left behind in a nation states development,

 

We do this in three ways:

1. Map everything that we do as an organisation to Agenda 2030 and to develop partnerships with ally organisations.

2. Engagement with United Nations mechanisms to bring forward our own research findings into international development discussions.

3. Use our research and knowledge to campaign, alongside our work with UN mechanisms, by influencing other invested social actors, embassies, governments and institutions, to remind them of their international development and human rights obligations

​

This is a new and exciting team at ReportOUT, and we are starting our journey in our engagement with Agenda 2030. Previously, this role was in addition to another team role, however we now recognise the centralised importance of having a core volunteer team to drive this agenda forward.

​

“From our new project which researches climate change and its effects on sexual and gender minorities, to our country level research with our partners, it is so important that we get this heard at the national and global level. I am loving the engagement with international development!” (Feedback from SDG Officer)

​

As our annual action plan says, the aim of the team is to:

​

As a member of CampaignOUT, your role is to use Agenda 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals to help raise the voices of sexual and gender minorities to ensure that ‘no one is left behind.’ This team will aim to map everything we do, both internally and externally, onto the SDGs and Agenda 2030.

​

CampaignOUT will do this by supporting internal teams, such as our Human Rights Researchers, to ensure their projects are mapped not only the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and the Yogyakarta Principles, but also to Agenda 2030. This team will also support the EducateOUT team to bring high-quality training to both ReportOUT volunteers, and the wider public, to increase their levels of knowledge about human rights and international development. We need to ‘queer’ both fields to ensure sexual and gender minorities are not left behind.

​

Externally, CampaignOUT will aim to develop partnerships with other organisations to drive Agenda 2030 and the SDGs forward and ensure that our research projects at ReportOUT are driven forward to United Nations reporting mechanisms and review panels when nation states measure their progress against the SDG goals and indicators. 

​

Our research team act as part of a ‘pipeline’ to our SDG Officers. What they produce as findings from their research, we take forward to the wider global mechanisms to enact social change.

​

What types of activities will I be doing in this role?

​

As an SDG Officer your role will be to ensure that ReportOUT’s work actively contributes to international human rights and international development frameworks, principally the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, you will ensure that ReportOUT’s work actively engages with the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the Yogyakarta Principles.

​

Embodying the Agenda 2030 idea of ‘Leave No One Behind,’ you will gain a detailed understanding of the SDGs and become skilled in shining a light on issues impacting gender and sexual minorities within these frameworks.  

​

Our work as SDG Officers is to ensure that the SDGs become intrinsic in ReportOUT’s research, education and campaigner activity. Our stated goal is for our research being cited in literature and used within global mechanisms, including the United Nations. You will be creative in your approaches, have a deep curiosity on how the SDGs impact sexual and gender minorities, and will actively seek out opportunities for ReportOUT to contribute to the SDGs, and to work in partnership with ally organisations.

​

Upon joining our team, you would support us in our SDG engagement. Do not worry if you do not necessarily have all of the complete knowledge or skills, as training can be offered

​

“I did not quite realise the extent to which ReportOUT does have an impact, however after having my first research meeting wherein our partners brought in other contacts such as the Human Rights Commission of Belize I felt very much awed and honoured to be a part of such crucial work” (Feedback from volunteers)

​

“When it comes to roles, responsibilities and expectations as a volunteer, there are really strong levels of communication, and whilst each team may have its own tasks, whether it be the Media and Communication Team, the Education Team, our team of dedicated Human Rights Researchers and our SDG Team, we are all working towards the same united vision” (Feedback from volunteers)

​

What do I need for this role?

Alongside the general requirements set out for what ReportOUT needs from volunteers, this role will also require you to have specific skills and knowledge, such as:

• A strong knowledge of human rights and an awareness of the main human rights conventions

• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn about, Agenda 2030 and United Nations global monitoring mechanisms and review panels - such as the Voluntary National Review (VNR), Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (RFSD) and the Higher-Level Political Forum (HLPF)

• Passion for taking an intersectional approach to international development

• Confidence to reach out and speak to people, and institutions, from all over the world

• Strong ability to write to a high standard and to vary your language for different audiences

• Strong oral skills to be able to influence, negotiate and to act diplomatically – to use these to build up long-term and sustainable partnerships

• Be able to confidently reach out to ally organisations and to volunteers internally within ReportOUT

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills – can map problems and their solutions

• Have an ability to see across the ‘whole’ of ReportOUT and what we do

• Ability to collate data and to use it to show our impact on the global stage

• Creatively minded in how to engage with the public via the mediums that ReportOUT use

​

It would be helpful (but not necessary) if you:

• Have a background in international development or international relations

• Have a background in United Nations engagement mechanisms

• Have experience of delivering campaigns

• Can speak other languages