Department
International Board on Books for Young People Secretariat
Location
Basel, Switzerland (100%, In-Office)
Strategic Mandate
The mission of IBBY is to enhance global advocacy and operational capabilities by utilizing our deep institutional and academic expertise. This role provides essential support to the Executive Director, Executive Committee, Regional Liaisons, and Sub-Committees in managing major international prizes, IBBY’s book collections, and traveling exhibitions, while overseeing the Biennial Report to ensure accurate global impact assessment.
As a key advocate for IBBY's mission, this position aims to expand inclusive membership in underrepresented regions, secure sponsorship from mission-aligned partners, and support reading initiatives to ensure children in underserved areas and crisis situations have access to books. Additionally, the role fosters IBBY’s presence within the international human rights community by establishing strategic partnerships with UN bodies and promoting the recognition of children’s literature as a vital component of the Right to Education (SDG 4) and cultural rights globally.
Professional Qualifications
Education
- Required: Master’s Degree or higher in International Studies/Affairs, specializing in Education/Literacy Policy, Children’s Literature, Languages, Human Rights, or International Organizations.
Language Proficiency
- Required: C2/Near-native proficiency in English (essential for board-level strategy, reporting, mission advocacy, internal/external communications, and editing publications). Knowledge of at least one additional major language from the IBBY global network such as Arabic, French, Portuguese, or Spanish is also required.
- Preferred: C1/Business Fluency in an East-Asian Language (e.g., Japanese, Mandarin, or Korean) for liaison and interpretation tasks with sponsors and partners in the region.
Experience
- Required: Minimum of 3 years of specialized experience in international advocacy, human rights, children’s rights, and/or educational policy. Proven track record in an international multicultural context, including representation at international forums and managing global partnerships.
- Preferred: Expertise and/or deep knowledge of IBBY international programs and operational frameworks, including various prestigious awards and funds.
Personal Qualifications & Commitments
- A genuine commitment to IBBY’s core mission and a desire to drive positive social change for children worldwide.
- Willingness to work flexible hours and undertake frequent travel due to the international nature of our work.
- Exceptional cultural intelligence and an open-minded approach to diverse contexts, enabling respectful partnerships with stakeholders globally.
- A strong orientation toward teamwork and inclusivity, capable of uniting diverse national sections and collaborating effectively with global juries and committees.
- Emotional resilience and a proactive mindset to maintain focus in high-pressure humanitarian situations.
- The ability to express complex human rights concepts in an engaging and accessible manner, inspiring others to champion the transformative power of children's literature and the Right to Read.
Core Responsibilities
A. Strategic Advocacy for IBBY’s Mission & UNCRC Implementation (25%)
- Support IBBY’s global advocacy efforts to align national policies with IBBY’s Mission and the UNCRC, specifically advocating for Articles 14, 17, 28, and 29.
- Act as a contact point for IBBY’s national sections, facilitating high-level negotiations with sponsors and cultural ministries, primarily in Asian languages.
- Assist in initiating reading development and rapid-response projects in areas where children’s access to books is threatened due to conflict or natural disasters.
B. Management of Core IBBY Global Programmes (25%)
- Coordinate the submission and evaluation process for major IBBY international awards and ensure compliance with IBBY Statutes.
- Manage nominations for IBBY’s multilingual book collections, advocating for international representation that aligns with IBBY’s mission.
- Lead the drafting of IBBY’s Biennial Report, synthesizing input from national sections to illustrate IBBY's global impact.
C. Membership Development & Inclusive Growth (20%)
- Drive efforts to promote IBBY membership globally, focusing on underrepresented regions to foster inclusivity.
- Develop specialized communications and workshops for member organizations on advocating for the Right to Read.
D. Sponsorship & Resource Mobilization (15%)
- Enhance relationships with sponsors and partner foundations, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Oversee compliance and reporting for international grants, adhering to IBBY’s principles.
E. Global Partnership & International Organization Relations (15%)
- Support IBBY’s strategic relationships with partner organizations, including drafting policy briefs that connect children’s literature to broader human rights goals.
- Act as a liaison at official and trade events, ensuring IBBY’s presence and participation in global conferences.
Application Process
To join our team, apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.