Policy and Advocacy Officer at Kisumu Medical and Education Trust (KMET)

KMET is looking for a Policy and Advocacy Lead –to identify potential advocacy opportunities and support all our programs with policy and advocacy initiatives. The incumbent will develop and implement KMETs advocacy strategy, programs and campaigns to build commitment for and support an enabling environment for ASRHR service provision through inter-governmental and partner related processes.

The role

S/he will help to renew and increase political and financial commitments for SRHR in our priority counties and ensure the prioritization of SRHR in National, regional and international dialogues, agendas and policies. S/he will act as the focal point for the organizations policy and advocacy activities to advance SRHR and the work of KMET.

Key Responsibilities

1. Monitors and maps the political landscape and developments at National and County level and helps implement relevant coordinated support and mobilization activities together with the department.
2. Undertakes research and documentation on SRHR violations and abuses with a view to lead evidence-based lobbying and advocacy and campaigns in different areas of SRHR protection and promotion.
3. Provide technical and policy advisory support to the Management, national and county levels for reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, primary health care and safeguarding in projects.
4. Leads our Human Rights Based Approach advocacy projects and dialogue with national and county economic and human rights entities and instruments.
5. Establishes networks and partnerships to make synergies among SRHR organizations (including regional human rights institutions, Civil Society Organizations and SRHR champions), for concerted SRHR lobbying and advocacy at the implementation level. This will be executed through regional online/physical lobbying and advocacy engagements, media advocacy, collaborative campaigns, experience learning, linking, and learning for young advocates.
6. Build and nurture partnership with county and national level policy makers, regional economic blocs’ leadership, and strategic partners to drive KMET’s advocacy agenda.
7. As part of the broader KMET advocacy team, the post holder will also contribute to various organizational tasks and processes needed to advance the legal and advocacy, capacity building and protection objectives of the organization in the area of SRHR and GBV.
8. Document KMET’s advocacy successes and learning working closely with other advocacy experts and communications/media officers.
9. Gather evidence to support the development of advocacy material, documents, and presentations.
10. Collaborate with the communication team to develop and disseminate innovative advocacy materials targeting policymakers and other strategic audiences. Advocacy materials may include print, digital, and multi-media formats.

Minimum Desired Qualification and experience

1. Degree in law, international relations, public policy, communications and/or other related fields. Law Degree holders preferably with LSK practicing certificate.
2. A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience, in legal, human rights, policy advocacy and/or communications area.
3. Track record of developing advocacy and policy initiatives which yield results in areas of health and education development arena.
4. Demonstrated success in planning and conducting advocacy activities to influence policies for the health of women, children and service provision.
5. Proven ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with government officers, CSO partners, and international organizations at various levels.
6. Demonstrated ability to communicate (orally and in writing) complex issues in a concise, compelling, and easily understandable manner.
7. Experience in facilitating meetings and moderating complex discussions with a variety of stakeholders (including national leaders).