ACB is recruiting a Policy & Advocacy Advisor

Job Description

The Africa Constituency Bureau for the Global Fund

The Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) has two constituencies representing Africa namely the Eastern and Southern African (ESA) and West and Central Africa (WCA) constituencies. The two constituencies initiated governance reforms in 2012 with a twofold intent: to ensure that constituency priorities are reflected in Global Fund strategy and operational plans; and to strengthen the presence, voice and contributions of the constituencies, through their delegations, in all Global Fund processes. The constituencies adopted a new governance framework that amongst other things introduce the concept of establishing a joint ESA and WCA Bureau to support the Board members, alternates, committee members and delegates representing countries from these two constituencies. The Constituencies comprise a total of 47 countries.

The ACB, headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ensures effective participation of Africa Constituencies in ESA and WCA in Global Fund Board processes. The Bureau supports more effective engagement, representation and participation of the Africa constituencies in Global Fund processes as well as enhancing the capacity of the Africa constituencies to shape Global Fund policies and processes.

REPORTING TO: Executive Director

ROLE SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Policy and Advocacy Advisor will be responsible for setting up and pushing forward the implementation of the ACB’s advocacy strategy. The role includes responsibility for engaging key stakeholders to work on a diverse range of policy issues that impact Africa’s effectiveness achieving the goals and strategies towards ending AIDS, TB and malaria.  S/he will contribute towards the ACB’s policy analysis, strategic positioning, technical policy development and implementation of advocacy work.

This is a full-time position based in the person’s home country.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Policy and Advocacy Advisor will perform the following duties:

• Lead on the establishment and implementation of the Bureau’s advocacy strategy, including identifying advocacy opportunities and activities that advances ESA and WCA’s influence with governments and other key stakeholders – to maximize the impact against AIDS, TB and malaria.
• Develop an advocacy workplan aligned with the Bureau’s overall strategy and track the progress against objectives and activities.
• Develop and continually update the ACB’s advocacy briefs and other tools to provide updates to key internal stakeholders on relevant activities and accomplishments.
• Assist in the development and finalization of the Bureau’s advocacy and other talking points and presentations for events and meetings.
• To produce policy and information briefs, draft tools, guidance and training to help staff to advocate and lobby effectively and support them to utilize their leverage to engage in constructive dialogue with stakeholders.
• Alert the team to relevant policy developments and provide analysis and input for meetings with various stakeholders including ESA and WCA countries and Bureau staff.
• Develop advocacy products and policy briefs including analysis of information produced through ACB’s programs and information management systems.  Use evidence to inform advocacy priorities and positions.
• Preparing evidence-based and influential research briefs for advocacy purposes.
• Facilitate and lead meetings and workshops with diverse stakeholders.
• Support relevant policy analysis of research to support and inform ACB’s advocacy efforts
• To capture examples of good practice and lessons learned – developing and writing case studies – to enable ESA and WCA countries to share with and learn from each other.
• Contributes to the development of ACB reports, publications, newsletter articles, press releases and other advocacy or information materials.
• Supports resources mobilization efforts of the ACB, including developing funding proposals and engaging with donors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Terms of Appointment

This is an exciting full-time position with the successful candidate being contracted on a one-year basis renewable based on performance and availability of funding. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The benefits for this position are attractive and commensurate with international recruitment packages.

Job Requirement

Essential:

• Graduate degree in a relevant field including international development, social sciences, public health, public policy, epidemiology, demography, etc. 

Desirable:

• Degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, communication, media, etc.

EXPERIENCE:

Essential:

• A minimum of 7 years of experience, including 3 at international level, in a similar role supporting HIV, TB and malaria programs in Africa.
• Strong network of international partners and established credibility with relevant global health stakeholders
• Experience of leading development and implementation of policy and advocacy strategies and plans
• Understanding and experience of working with government and parliamentary mechanisms, processes and policy making, and of the political environment
• Experience of drafting and presenting complex information to a variety of audiences in a clear and accessible way
• Proven track record in networking and working in coalitions and alliances
• Strong facilitation skills and ability to lead meetings and workshops with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven track record of building and nurturing relationships and influencing external stakeholder agendas

Desirable:

• Familiarity with global health advocacy initiatives.

COMPETENCIES:

Languages:  Excellent written and spoken English and preferably a good working knowledge of French. Knowledge of other languages would be an asset.	Technical Competencies:  ·         Project and event management skills ·         Excellent analytical and evaluation skills. ·         Comfortable and capable public speaker. ·         Skilled at writing and editing technical documents. ·         High proficiency in Word, PowerPoint and Excel. ·         Good networking and interpersonal skills  ·         Good meeting facilitation and report writing skills
Leadership Competencies:  ·         Relationships building with strong networking and presentation skills, ·         Strong communications skills with high level writing and presentation skills including being able to write in succinct and impactful manner ·         Excellent analytical and political judgement skills ·         High level project management skills ·         Influential and persuasive; approachable and openminded
Core Competencies:  Personal Effectiveness, Self-Driven, Teamwork, Project Management. Being Accountable. Able to speak articulately in meetings and conferences, including facilitation skills