ChildFund Ethiopia is an international child focused NGO working to improve the wellbeing of deprived, excluded and vulnerable children and families. We achieve positive change in communities in partnership with local organizations through our three core programs that improve education, health and livelihoods and achieve the outcomes of healthy and secure infants, educated and confident children and skilled and involved youth. ChildFund Ethiopia would like to invite competent vibrant candidate to apply for the post of Advocacy Manager.

The Advocacy Manager is responsible for the Country Office’s design and execution of its policy advocacy plan that enables ChildFund and its local partners to advocate with decision-makers for the protection and welfare of children in its operating areas nationally. The manager conceptualizes, develops and implements an advocacy plan for the effective creation, implementation and/or amendment of policies. The Manager is also responsible for providing technical leadership and strategic direction to the countries to better engage in policy advocacy, including supporting policy analysis and M&E efforts, advocacy risk assessments and networking strategies to work with other child-focused organizations. The position works with stakeholders, partners, youth and children organizations to formulate and implement advocacy plans that bring to the forefront their voices. He/she represents the Regional Office at the AU and  in inter-agency advocacy networks and builds relationship with government and non-government institutions at international, national and sub-national levels for effective sharing and coordination on actions, learnings, technical support and financial resources. The Advocacy Manager will also help to ensure that the policy advocacy efforts of the organization align with relevant regional and international priorities and movements. This will be achieved in part through close collaboration with the global advocacy team at ChildFund International, ChildFund Alliance Secretariat and other Alliance members.

Major Responsibilities

Develop and execute regional office advocacy strategy

Conduct a contextual analysis to identify the advocacy issue/focus area for the ROs’ advocacy plan and develop an advocacy strategy aligned to ChildFund International’s advocacy guidance, operational advocacy guidance, program strategy of the Country offices, and regional context.  The strategy should be evident through a plan that can bring the expected policy creation, policy change, policy implementation. It is framed within the life stage program strategies of the organization with a focus on child protection and would require the development, design and tools for external engagement. Oversee the implementation of the activities outlined in the advocacy plan.

External representation and communications/Visibility strategy -  

Responsible for Organization representation and influence at strategic networks and coalitions, making visible CO programmatic interventions and policy advocacy issues. Networking and coalition building would be a required precondition for policy reform.  

Conceptualize and execute strategic events at key moments to advance policy agenda and visibility.  Proactively creates, identifies and organizes engagements for senior ChildFund leaders to profile issues with relevant networks and policy and advocacy stakeholders to share ChildFund perspectives and increase organizational influence and profile.

Policy communications - 

Responsible along with communication specialist to develop and reach target audiences with local media position statements on issues as well as for the production of collateral material for advocacy purposes. Synthesize programmatic and academic research to develop policy recommendations and the documents (policy briefs, infographics, etc.) to communicate them to decision-makers.

Knowledge management and learning

Develop learning and knowledge products related to policy advocacy that meet standards and enable organization-wide learning and sharing by documenting approaches, project and program designs and lessons, case studies and other knowledge products. Seek and leverage existing knowledge products in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

Capacity Building   

Improves the policy advocacy knowledge and skills of staff to assure that COs are adequately supporting our strategy.   Works to improve the competencies of partners to develop and implement a more influential policy advocacy approach which can bring results.  Staff and partners are provided with an improvement in their knowledge, skills, and aptitudes that will thus help to advance policy advocacy efforts and initiatives. This includes the use of technical tools and resources, spearheading capacity building and learning activities, and providing guidance (, as needed) on what quality standards in policy advocacy are, such as conducting policy analysis risk assessments, etc.

Resource Mobilization for Advocacy

Actively pursues funding opportunities that can support the implementation CO’s advocacy strategic

plan and to lead in the proposal development of advocacy centered projects. Identification, selection, and integration of viable partners and consortiums to participate in proposal development processes will be a must as well as addressing donor issues and requirement during implementation of grant funded projects.

Child Safeguarding

Remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Child Safeguarding Policy. This will be imperative at times when children and youth participate in any advocacy activities.

Terms of Employment:

• One year with a possibility of extension based on proven performance

No. of posts:                     

• One

Qualification/Experience

• 10+ years of demonstrated experience in policy advocacy, media relations and communications or other relevant area.

Demonstrate Competencies

• Child-protection related program development and implementation experience;
• Policy and/or budget analysis experience
• Familiarity with MEL methodologies
• Understanding of risks involved with conducting advocacy within the operating country and ability to develop and execute mitigation strategies
• Experience and evidence of success in representation, networking and coalition work;
• Knowledge of government policies, laws, and systems that impact the rights and well-being of children
• Good interpersonal skills, including ability to work as part of a local and international team; and
• Knowledge of how media coverage is generated.
• Excellent communications skills, written and oral;
• English fluency
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office products and online communication platforms (e.g. WebEx, Skype for Business)

Education

• Master’s degree in social development, communications, social science, public affairs or other relevant discipline or equivalent relevant work experience.

Demonstrate Competencies

• Good technical knowledge in the field of quality education.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English.
• Strong organizational, inter-personal, communication and report writing skills.
• Computer literate in word processing and excel packages.
• Experience in developing and monitoring budgets.
• An understanding of child well-being and their protection and fulfillment