Save the Children is a leading international organization helping children in need around the world. First established in the UK in 1919, separate national organizations have been set up in more than twenty-eight countries, sharing the aim of improving the lives of children through education, health care and economic opportunities, as well as emergency aid in cases of natural disasters, war and conflict.
In Nigeria, Save the Children has been working since 2001. The early focus was on getting children actively involved in shaping the decisions that affect their lives. Today, Save the Children is working in seven federal states – Zamfara, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi and Kaduna – focusing on providing basic healthcare and protecting children.
ADVOCACY OFFICER
ROLE PURPOSE
The Advocacy Officer will contribute to Save the Children’s efforts to influence and bring about change in the policies and behaviour of policy makers related to the rights of children in the countryprogramme in the state of posting.
S/he will demonstrate ability to balance programme and advocacy interventions.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY
Strategy Development:
Identify and carry out desk reviews of relevant policies that impact on Save the Children’s advocacy thrusts.
Develop key advocacy tools (Policy Briefs and Position Papers) targeted at relevant government and non-government stakeholders.
Contribute to the development and implementation of advocacy and programme objectives related to broad range of issues and stakeholders
Ensure that voices of children form the basis of Save the Children’s advocacy strategy.
Acquire information and understanding of social policy and adapt strategies as necessary.
Maintain a strategic overview of issues affecting children, monitoring trends in the external environment and inputting to organisational strategy and planning processes.
Keep a watching brief on policy makers and other key players in relation Maternal New-born and Child Health (MNCH) issues and identify opportunities to influence policy change.
Contribute to all efforts to coordinate and support CSO Coalitions, Champions and Human Resources for Health (HRH) Technical Working Group (TWG)
Influencing:
Develop good understanding of state and national government structures, parliamentary and political processes and key decision making structures and how to influence them.
Undertake a range of lobbying, communications and other activities to inform and persuade policy makers, including donors and politicians, of the value of Save the Children’s policy recommendations.
Build systems for research, analysis and documentation that underpin evidence based advocacy and influencing at state and national levels.
Develop dissemination and communication strategies for key advocacy messages.
Produce reports, briefing papers and presentations for internal and external audiences, as directed.
Collaboration & Representation:
Develop strategic relationships with other agencies engaged in advocacy and policy work.
Develop and maintain a network of external contacts with key individuals in the government, NGO sector, civil society and the media.
Build the capacity of staff from Save the Children and partner agencies in advocacy and communications.
Represent Save the Children at various policy forums and advocacy opportunities at national and international levels, as directed.
Act as a spokesperson for Save the Children to a variety of external audiences including policy makers and the media, as directed.
Liaise closely with staff in the Policy and Communication units at Save the Children headquarters and coordinate with other Save the Children members.
Programme Development:
Support the programme team in the development of research methodologies, data analysis, report writing and publication.
Ensure clear links and mutual reinforcement between programmatic approaches and advocacy strategies.
Write regular progress reports, including annual impact monitoring reports.
Perform other tasks, as required, to ensure the smooth running of the country programme.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Administrative & General Skills:
The post holder will possess a high degree of analytical skill, political acumen, ability to facilitate change, ability to influence, and ability to communicate key advocacy messages effectively and convincingly to a diverse audience at local, national and international levels.
ESSENTIAL:
University degree in Health, Nutrition, Communications or related Social Science field.
Substantial experience in advocacy and policy development / research in the development context.
Good understanding of the possibilities and tactics for influencing decision and policy makers, politicians, donors, and other key actors.
Knowledge of the media and its role in raising awareness and shaping public policy.
Good understanding of strategies for achieving sustainable child Health and Nutrition policies through participatory processes, and the links with gender, diversity and other aspects of identity.
Excellent conceptual and analytical skills and demonstrable ability to think strategically, innovatively and practically to ensure achievement of desired change objectives.
Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences at local, national and international levels.
Ability to build and maintain relationships with partner agencies and key contacts in the government, NGO, civil society and media sectors.
Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, adaptability and ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
Ability to travel extensively in the country.
Demonstrable mastery of computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, outlook, power point) and ability to be self-supporting in most administrative tasks.
Fluent English language skills (written and verbal).
Commitment to the values, mission, aims and policies of Save the Children.
Desirable:
Experience in training others in advocacy techniques and influencing tactics.
Prior advocacy work experience in Nigeria, especially in Lagos State
Knowledge of the policies, functions, structures and decision-making processes of key national and state institutions with regard to Child
Experience working on MNCH, HRH and Nutrition will be an added advantage.
Local language skills (Ability to communicate in Yoruba will be an advantage).
DUE DATE: 29 March, 2016
Job Opening at Save The Children, Thursday 17, March 2016
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