Policy Advocate, Africa Region at International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)

Position Description And Rationale

As the world prepares to mark the 25 th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action via a process set to include two hallmark events known as the Generation Equality Forum, ICRW seeks a Nairobi-based advocate support feminist organizing and the development of progressive policy commitments at the Kenya national level and potentially regionally as well. Building on recent work to identify strategies for the development of an advocacy program in ICRW’s Africa Regional Office, this position will with ICRW’s Global Advocacy team and Africa Regional Office leadership and research team to leverage our research base and policy analysis expertise to support the development of bold, transformative commitments in line with the goals of the 6 Action Coalitions that will emerge from the Generation Equality Forum.

Objectives

The Advocate will support the Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy and Senior Consultant, Global Policy in creating linkages with existing women’s rights and development advocates engaging in advocacy on gender equality at the national level with the Generation Equality Forum process and associated Action Coalitions, with a goal to helping develop bold, transformative actions by the Kenyan government for women’s rights, in consultation with the national and regional feminist movement, and in line with existing (ICRW and other) evidence of what is necessary and impactful.

Length of the assignment: 6 months to1 year.

Generation Equality Forum Support

Specific responsibilities of the Advocate

The Advocate’s role will be to support ICRW’s Africa Regional Office engagement in the Generation Equality Forum process, and to support its Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy, Senior Global Policy Consultant and Africa Regional Director in strategic, national-level advocacy efforts toward Kenyan leadership in the Beijing+25 and Generation Equality Forum process . This includes policy analysis, network mapping, research synthesis, advocacy with the Kenyan Government and coalition organizing and coordination with allied activists working to advance gender equality and women’s rights.

Action Coalition Support

The Advocate will assist the Action Coalition process including researching and refining proposed policy commitments for the Kenyan government, coordinating with other gender equality advocates pushing for such commitments nationally, and linking between Kenyan national, regional and global Action Coalition events, goals, networks and opportunities.

External Consultations

The consultant will conduct outreach to prospective partner organizations engaged in the Generation Equality Forum and Action Coalition advocacy space to assess their current campaigns and identify opportunities for ICRW to bring a research-based, data driven and feminist f lens to that work. As necessary, the Advocate will also conduct targeted meetings with official representatives of relevant line ministries in the Kenyan Government, UN agencies and partner organizations, and/or support the Africa Regional Office Director in her execution of such meetings. Some travel may be required for the fulfillment of duties relevant to the Generation Equality Forum process.

Education

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in international affairs, development studies, economics, or other social science. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

Three years of directly relevant work experience with master’s degree or five years of directly relevant work experience with bachelor’s degree. Demonstrated knowledge of policy-making processes at the federal, regional and/or global levels and one to three years of work experience on initiatives to influence those processes. Experience with coalition advocacy, feminist organizing and communicating for press and policy audiences essential. A background in sustainable development, particularly related to gender equality, a plus

Skills

• Proficiency in the MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong written and oral communications skills, as well as excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills required. Must possess strong skills in report writing and editing, visual presentation of research findings, and strategic planning.
• Must be detail oriented, flexible, and able to take initiative.
• Ability to work both independently and in close coordination with and across teams. Good interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively required.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and complete multiple tasks.
• Social media skills, particularly Twitter, strongly recommended.
• Fluency or good reading comprehension in a foreign language a plus.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample.

Due to the large volume of responses we receive, ICRW is not able to provide candidacy status on an individual basis. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

ICRW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law, where applicable. ICRW is an E-Verify Employer.