Global Director of Advocacy and Communications at African Development Solutions (Adeso)

POSITION SUMMARY

• The Global Director of Advocacy & Communications is a new position, and he/she/they will be a critical part of Adeso’s success. We are seeking a seasoned leader who will be able to bring Adeso’s advocacy efforts to the next level. The Global Director will work with the Adeso senior team to advocate for and co-create an Africa liberated from aid. To succeed in this position, you will need a strong track record of previous advocacy campaigns, sharpened communications skills, outstanding relationship-building skills, and a strong existing network. In addition, the person in this role is expected to be knowledgeable of, and wholeheartedly dedicated to, the aims of decolonization and rethinking the global aid system.

POSITION ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The position includes the following responsibilities:

Advocacy and Influence

• In collaboration with senior leadership and building on previous efforts, develop/fortify Adeso’s advocacy strategy and workplan.
• Develop a strong network of African and Global South academia, activists, scholars, and more to support our advocacy and influencing goals.
• Working closely with the Pledge for Change Director, ensure that the advocacy efforts of both efforts are coordinated and self-reinforcing.
• Conceptualize and manage Adeso’s outreach to influential stakeholders (government, policy makers, civil society organizations, networks, media, and more).
• Oversee the planning and implementation of Adeso’s advocacy convenings, including thinking through advocacy goals at the outset, identifying, and outreaching to key audience members, developing key messages and talking points.
• Support the process of identifying, cultivating, and managing new and on-going partnerships with individuals, organizations, and foundations that advance Adeso’s decolonization aims.
• Represent Adeso at key convenings, webinars, conferences, and events to speak on key decolonization goals and action items.
• Coordinate and partner with networks and other groups such as the Near Network, BRAC, Civicus, and the West African Civil Society Institute (WACSI) on common positioning and joint-advocacy opportunities.
• Provide economic and political analysis as needed to support Adeso’s thought leadership.
• Monitor ongoing developments in decolonization/localization to advise Adeso leadership on response and engagement.
• Lead ad hoc projects such as the decolonization docuseries to ensure its successful completion.
• Support KujaLearn and KujaAdvise on content creation for e-learning courses and curriculum development for the growing community of practice dedicated to decolonized philanthropy, including ongoing learning journeys.
• Lead the donor education work including developing curriculum and delivery of the material at key opportunities.

Communications

• Working with team members, direct, implement, and oversee Adeso’s communications function, which primarily serves Adeso’s advocacy goals.
• Manage media relations and develop contacts with media members, influencers, and community leaders.
• Oversee Adeso’s communications outputs including digital, video, audio, and print content, including op-eds, blogs, white papers, case studies, videos, and news articles in support of Adeso’s strategic goals on various platforms.
• Oversee Adeso’s social media presence and content.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate must believe in the core values of Adeso and be driven by the mission. The candidate should demonstrate a passion for breaking new ground to lead change.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of aid and development, with the ability to critically analyze systems.
• A bachelor’s degree in communications, political science, or a related field is required; a graduate degree is highly preferred.
• Fluency in French is highly desired.
• Exceptional writing skills, including the ability to produce influential advocacy materials.
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills.
• Proven track record of leading successful advocacy campaigns.
• Exceptional capacity for working well within teams and building strong relationships with all levels of employees.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the vision and mission of Adeso.
• A self-starter team player, with the ability to work independently.
• A positive, problem-solving outlook and the ability to manage ambiguity.
• A sense of humor and a willingness to roll with the punches when needed.