PURPOSE OF POSITION:
To promote the profile of Southern Africa Regional Office on key advocacy and justice for children issues. It is vital in supporting the delivery of the Child Health Now, a global campaign on the well-being of children. This will be achieved through partnership building and networking with Government officials, regional economic communities, International financial institutions, and NGOs.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
To promote the profile of Southern Africa Regional Office on key advocacy and justice for children issues. It is vital in supporting the delivery of the Child Health Now, a global campaign on the well-being of children. This will be achieved through partnership building and networking with Government officials, regional economic communities, International financial institutions, and NGOs.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work closely with the Advocacy Advisor in supporting the Regional Leader in his functions related to external engagements, partnership building, networking and communication on key policy issues.
- In Liaison with the Southern Africa Regional (SAR) Advocacy Advisor, plan and implement an external engagement strategy and facilitate the development of an integrated CHN regional strategy.
- Support senior regional leadership (including Learning Centre (LC) leaders) in their roles as external relationship managers.
Identify entry points for engagement in key platforms and processes that will enhance the presence and impact of policy change for the wellbeing of children. - Coordinate and organise policy dialogues with different stakeholders to deepen understanding and influence on key advocacy and justice for children issues.
- In liaison with the SAR Advocacy Advisor and Regional Communication Team; research, analyse and assemble background materials, prepare summaries of issues relevant to external engagement activities for the Regional Leader and the Advocacy Learning Centre, and other designated regional team leaders.
- With the support of the Learning Centre Advisor, establish and maintain contacts with representatives of Governments, Inter-governmental and Non-governmental Organizations and other key stakeholders in support of the region’s strategic external engagements.
- Provide regular updates and information on key external events and moments with a view to catalysing new and supporting ongoing strategic collaborations. Mobilise collective planning and action to participate and use those opportunities to raise the profile of WV and share key policy messages, positions statements that promote the wellbeing of children and capitalise on programming opportunities.
- Provide advice on key public policy messages, liaise with communications and other Learning Centres to respond to media interviews as required.
- Support the NOs/ADPs in capacity building in evidence based advocacy, networking and partnership building and to engage in CHN.
- Develop concept notes for raising Advocacy profile within the Region for the Advocacy LC.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Required:
- Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Law, International Relations, Political Science or Sociology.
- Active knowledge and experience of Public Policy, Advocacy and Networking, research analysis and developing policy briefs.
- Experience in international policy development and analysis, policy oriented research, demonstrated by think pieces, publications and reports.
- Significant experience in brokering and managing a range of external engagement forms, from lobbying and representation to networking, coalitions, and partnerships.
- Excellent desk analytical research skills and experience in the use of both qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
- An understanding of micro and macro-economic issues and how they relate to social policy, the law and policy development.
- Knowledge and commitment to Child Rights is essential.
Preferred: - Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Excellent person initiative and strong work ethic.
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure.
- Willingness to travel frequently.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate successfully with a wide range of people and cultural awareness.
