Regional Advocacy Manager Sustainable Diets For All at Hivos East Africa

The Regional Advocacy Manager will work in a dynamic and professional project team comprising advocacy officers, communication officers and the IIED experts. She/He will report to the Regional Director, Hivos East Africa and work with the Program Manager, Green Foods and Productive landscapes; with functional reporting to the Sustainable Diets Programme Manager in the Hivos Head Office.

Your responsibilities:

• The Regional Advocacy Manager develops, manages, and implements the advocacy activities of the SD4ALL programme at local, national, regional and global levels including positioning and profiling of  the Strategic Partnership between Hivos and IIED.
• She/He engages in relevant debates and maintains regular communication with partners to generate social, moral, and political support required to successfully implement the programme.
• She/He works in close liaison with partner organisations by building collaborative networks, building and supporting the strengthening of  advocacy capacities and stimulating action in the area of advocacy.
• Together with relevant local and national government institutions, Civil Society Organisations, private sector actors and other stakeholders, develops or reviews policies, practices and programmes on sustainable diets.
• Provides guidance to local and regional actors to adopt multi-stakeholder collaboration and engagement as a key strategy to implement programmes and activities that contribute to SD4ALL.
• Develops evidence based and innovative solutions to pressing issues around sustainable diets through liaison with national and international research institutions.
• Develops simple and effective messages for different target groups including the media, policy makers, practitioners, citizens, and academia.
• Establishes and sustains useful networks and relationships with influential people at local, national, regional and international levels with a view to gathering information and ideas, learning, collaborating, and advocating for sustainable diets.
• Fundraises and develops new programmes in advocacy and lobbying for sustainable diets in the region.
• Monitors and forecasts the developments and actions of key actors in Hivos’ environment and/or in specific focal areas and provide internal actors access to relevant and actionable intelligence in relation to challenges, opportunities, threats, and risks.
• Initiates, facilitates and manages or co-manages relevant advocacy campaigns (in consultation with actors); and uphold high standards of quality and integrity in line with Hivos’ project management conditions and relationships with internal and external actors.
• Reports and disseminates information relevant to the programme through external and Hivos’ knowledge management platforms, and works closely with colleagues in the regional offices to achieve the organisation’s vision.

Your profile:

• Masters or advanced degree in public policy, social sciences, food related sciences or related field.- required.
• A minimum of five years' experience in advocacy and lobbying in food and agriculture related issues in a reputable organisation.- required.
• Understanding of policy formulation processes, budget analysis, tracking and accountability mechanisms and tools, and regulatory procedures at county, national and regional levels.
• Excellent understanding of key policy levers and strategies to adapt to influence a variety of decision makers and high level public and private sector audiences at local, national and regional levels.
• Excellent strategic and analytical skills, with strong leadership and management skills.
• Demonstrated creativity and proactive approach to advocacy.
• Experience with civil society organizations, including capacity development.
• Excellent networking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and writing skills.
• Administratively self-sufficient: excellent ICT skills with MS Office and Excel, attention to detail.
• High level of personal integrity and accountability.

Working conditions

The position is based in Kampala with regular travel in the region and some international travel.

What we offer

We offer a competitive package based on the candidate’s qualifications.