Advocacy Unit Manager at African Population And Health Research Center (APHRC)

APHRC seeks to recruit an Advocacy Unit Manager, to join the Policy Engagement and Communications (PEC) Program. The position holder will be responsible for leading the Advocacy work at the Center. The role covers extensive project management and people management both internally for the project teams and externally in building partnerships. The role holder will carry out resource mobilization to ensure there is a constant stream of funding coming into the Center from new and existing funders. Additionally, he/she will create and strengthen synergy between teams and projects given their bird’s eye view of all the advocacy projects within the Unit and across the Center.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the development, review, implementation and monitoring of the Advocacy Unit Strategy, work plans and budgets.
• Ensure effective implementation of the advocacy projects portfolio, which includes timely and quality reporting, sound budget management, burn rate, reviews and learning, partnership, and team management.
• Develop advocacy strategies based on innovative and creative approaches, using tools that are adapted and focused on obtaining the highest level of change and effectiveness.
• Develop, review and monitor policy and advocacy stakeholders’ engagement plans.
• Coordinate and guide project narrative and financial reporting.
• Contribute to PEC reports for Senior Management Team and PEC program-wide initiatives.
• Manage team dynamics, which includes assessing strengths, managing relationships within the team, assessing workload and recruitment.
• Work with individuals on personal growth and meeting targets while giving direction. Develop annual performance objectives and carry out annual appraisals.
• Build partnerships with external parties relevant to the work on each advocacy-related project.
• Develop relationships with partners and policymakers to influence policy at the regional and country level.
• Manage funder relationships.
• Lead fund raising efforts for the Unit and the Program. Lead and guide proposal writing including putting together proposal development teams.
• Work closely with other Unit Managers within PEC to ensure greater collaboration and synergy.
• Ensure adequate resourcing of the Advocacy Unit.
• Support in the identification and selection of project partners including defining their terms of reference and budget allocation and monitor execution of deliverables.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences or a closely related field.
• Over twelve (12) years of relevant experience with over five (5) years at the management level, preferably at an international organization in an advocacy role.
• Proven experience in policy development and advocacy in social or economic policy areas at a national, regional, or international level.
• Solid experience in project/program coordination and management.
• Strategic and innovative with the ability to sell the vision of the Center.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively in a diverse environment.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional organizational and coordination skills.
• Proven experience in managing and fostering relations with stakeholders.
• Experience in the production of high-quality written work to influence policy outcomes.