County Advocacy Officer needed at Faith to Action Network

Background and context:

Faith to Action Network is a global interfaith network of more than 100 Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Confucian, Hindu and Muslim faith organizations; we focus on issues that faith actors are grappling with, including sexual and reproductive health and family planning; gender equality and women’s rights; pluralism and understanding. We combine innovative, evidence- and faith-backed community-based programming with national, regional and international dialogue and advocacy to influence change at all levels.

Purpose of the role:

Faith to Action Network is currently in the phase of negotiating with the EU for the Project SHARP – Solutions for supporting healthy adolescents and rights protection (SHARP). The project takes place in Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia and at the East African regional level. The project is for a duration of four years.

We seek to recruit a County advocacy officer to support in the implementation of the project in Kenya. The jobholder is responsible for the implementation of the ASRHR Advocacy programme in Marsabit, Isiolo and Marsabit County. This includes working in close collaboration with Faith to Action Network’s SRHR Technical lead and SHARP advocacy lead to develop and deliver on advocacy objectives and working closely with county governments and stakeholders to strengthen ASRHR policies and practices.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities:

Governance and Advocacy

• Develop and implement an advocacy strategy targeting county stakeholders in order to enhance county ASRHR strategies, workplans and budgets,
• Identify and foster strategic partnerships with county government departments, county assembly, local partners and other stakeholders, in implementation of ASRHR policies.
• Lead in the dissemination and implementation of existing ASRHR policies and standards to the county government teams
• Facilitate faith-based advocacy hubs and youth-led county advocacy hubs at county level.
• Map key youth participation forums at the county level to ensure youth voices contribute to the realization of the project’s objectives
• Lead in the amplification of adolescents, CSOs and faith actors’ voices in national and regional decision- making processes by facilitating their engagement in (briefing) meetings, events and document (incl. policy) reviews.
• Assist in developing appropriate social behavior change communication materials for dissemination of information/research findings
• Coordinate and participate in county multi-sectoral platforms,
• Organize social accountability forums and activities to ensure client supervision of health facilities.
• Participate in county technical working groups – county commodity security TWG and in county AWP/budget reviews to increase resource allocation towards commodities security.

Project management

• Develop monthly county work plans based on the approved project work plan detailing activities to be undertaken, with support the SHARP Health advocacy lead and the SRHR Technical lead.
• Prepare comprehensive and timely monthly and quarterly narrative reports.

Other

• Build and maintain positive relationships with all members of staff, and contacts within and outside the Network.
• Plan and complete work assignments with a high degree of initiative, good judgment, analytical skill, and integrity.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the SRHR Technical lead

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS (Candidates must meet basic requirements to be considered for this job.)

Educational background

• Bachelor’s Degree directly related to Health systems strengthening, Social Sciences, Political Science, and Governance, International development or Community development.

Professional experience

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in advocacy work, as well as contributing to the development and implementation of advocacy strategies. Experience working within the health sector is an added advantage.
• Experience working on adolescent SRHR with demonstrable expertise in advocacy
• Demonstrated experience of working with networks of local organizations, managing contacts with key stakeholders;
• Demonstrated experience and interest in working with young people in the area of SRHR/FP.
• Experience in working with faith based organizations
• Experience working in Northern Kenya.
• Demonstrated understanding of Kenya health policy and budget development processes at county levels.
• Understanding and knowledge of Kenya’s decentralized governance system and in particular an understanding of Kenya’s planning and budget cycle (both at county and national level).
• Experience in SBCC including development of SBCC materials
• Experience in building effective relationships, demonstrating leadership and exerting influence with various stakeholders through acting in an advisory capacity
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex arguments into accessible English for a non-specialist audience.
• Experience of developing of community led advocacy strategies, knowledge and understanding of a range of advocacy techniques

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to identify priority actions, generate and complete work plans within short time frames.
• Must be able to demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills, and ability to clearly communicate program and technical concepts to technical and non-technical counterparts.

Languages

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Personal competencies

• Possess and exhibit a level of confidence in themselves and own work but must be able to take direction and criticism professionally.
• Able to comfortably engage with adolescents and youth.
• Able to work in fast paced work environment with minimal supervision;
• Ability to work in a team and able to adapt to and work effectively within a variety of situations and with various individuals and groups.
• Understanding and appreciating different and opposing perspectives, adapting one’s approach as the requirements of a situation change.
• Willingness to travel within Northern Kenya Counties.
• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Effectively respond to pressure or crisis situations and acts proactively and follow through on ideas, assignments, and open issues.
• Optimism, cheerfulness and an interest in other people.