Organisational Background

Show Me Your Number (SMYN) is a youth-focused non-profit organisation that empowers Adolescent and Young People (AYP) through creative, peer-led approaches to improve awareness and access to services related to HIV prevention, SRHR, gender-based violence, and youth development.

SMYN also serves as the Secretariat for Civil 20 (C20) South Africa, one of the official G20 engagement groups. The C20 provides a platform for civil society organisations to engage, deliberate, and contribute independent policy perspectives that promote social justice, inclusivity, and sustainable development within the global G20 process.

Position Summary

The C20 Policy & Content Technical Lead will play a pivotal role in coordinating and guiding the Civil 20 (C20) South Africa policy development process under the leadership of the C20 Sherpa and Secretariat hosted by Show Me Your Number. The incumbent will ensure policy coherence, research-based advocacy, and technical quality across all thematic clusters of the C20.

This role requires a seasoned policy professional with strong analytical and writing skills, capable of translating complex global issues into accessible, evidence-informed advocacy messages. The Technical Lead will oversee the drafting, review, and alignment of policy briefs, communiqués, and the final C20 Policy Pack, ensuring that South African civil society perspectives are effectively represented within the G20 framework.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding of international policy processes, exceptional communication skills, and a commitment to inclusive, participatory civil society engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Development and Technical Oversight

• Lead the design, drafting, and quality assurance of C20 policy and advocacy documents.
• Coordinate and guide thematic clusters in developing policy briefs, position papers, and the C20 communiqué.
• Ensure alignment of all cluster outputs with the C20 framework and G20 agenda.
• Conduct policy analysis and integrate evidence-based research into advocacy outputs.
• Identify and articulate cross-cutting themes into a unified C20 policy narrative.

Strategic Content Management

• Oversee development of policy-related content such as reports, briefing notes, and thematic summaries.
• Edit and refine technical documents to ensure consistency, clarity, and quality.
• Collaborate with the Communications Lead to translate policy content into public and media-friendly formats.
• Develop talking points and policy summaries for C20 leadership and spokespersons.

Cluster and Secretariat Support

• Provide ongoing technical support to C20 cluster coordinators and working groups.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing and policy harmonisation between clusters.
• Support the Secretariat in convening policy dialogues, validation workshops, and technical meetings.
• Strengthen cluster capacity on evidence-based policy development.

G20 and External Engagement

• Monitor and analyse G20 policy processes relevant to the C20 agenda.
• Facilitate engagement with G20 working groups, Sherpa tracks, and other engagement groups (B20, W20, Y20, etc.).
• Represent the C20 in technical consultations and policy forums.
• Contribute to joint policy statements with other G20 engagement groups where appropriate.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Document the policy development process to ensure transparency and inclusivity.
• Maintain a tracking system for policy submissions and follow-ups with G20 stakeholders.
• Contribute to C20 reports, capturing policy influence and outcomes.

Minimum Requirements

• A master’s degree in public policy, International Relations, Development Studies, Economics, Political Science, or a related field (a PhD will be an advantage).
• A minimum of 7–10 years’ experience in policy analysis, research, advocacy, or international development.
• Proven experience in multilateral policy processes, preferably within the G20, UN, AU, or similar global governance frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in drafting and reviewing policy documents, communiqués, and technical reports.
• Strong understanding of civil society engagement, participatory policy development, and sustainable development frameworks.
• Excellent writing, editing, and analytical skills with the ability to synthesise complex policy content.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Exceptional communication and presentation abilities, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a hybrid (remote and in-person) environment and manage multiple deliverables under tight timelines.

Key Competencies

• Strategic and Analytical Thinking: Demonstrates the ability to analyse complex global policy issues and develop coherent, evidence-based recommendations.
• Technical Expertise: Strong command of policy research, drafting, and review processes, ensuring accuracy, relevance, and clarity of all outputs.
• Leadership and Coordination: Proven ability to guide multi-thematic teams, facilitate collaboration across clusters, and manage competing priorities effectively.
• Communication and Representation: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate technical content into accessible advocacy messages.
• Interpersonal and Intercultural Skills: Strong capacity to work with diverse stakeholders including civil society organisations, academics, government representatives, and international partners.
• Innovation and Problem Solving: Adapts quickly to dynamic contexts, identifies opportunities, and proposes creative policy and content solutions.
• Integrity and Professionalism: Demonstrates ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability in line with C20 values.
• Results Orientation: Ability to deliver high-quality outputs within tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.

Application Instructions

To apply, please complete the online application form below and upload all required documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Required Documents:

• Cover Letter clearly stating the position and preferred region/location
• CV/Resume (PDF, DOC, DOCX)
• Certified Copies of Qualifications (PDF, DOC, DOCX)
• Certified ID (PDF, DOC, DOCX, PNG, JPG)
• Certified Driver’s Licence (PDF, DOC, DOCX, PNG, JPG)

Optional:

• LinkedIn Profile
• Facebook Profile
• X (Twitter) Profile
• Website

By submitting this form, you agree to the storage and handling of your personal information in accordance with Show Me Your Number’s data protection and recruitment policy.