Senior Advocacy Advisor at Center For Reproductive Rights

Primary Responsibilities: 

Organizing and Movement Building

• Identify opportunities, develop and implement innovative strategies and tactics including through building cross-constituency partnerships.
• Develop strong relationships and participate in meetings and events with partners and networks across SRHR and other human rights movements.
• Oversee the planning, launching, managing and sunsetting of the full life cycle of a diverse set of multiple and simultaneous issue-based campaigns.
• Strengthen the capacity of Africa Reproductive Rights Initiative (ARRI) network as the go-to expert and thought leader in SRHR and the law in Africa.

 Technical Oversight:

• In consultation with the Head of Advocacy and Communications, develop policies, position statements and advocacy strategies as required, based on input and advice from partners and the Africa team.
• Support the Africa program’s analysis and assessment of capacity building needs, development of capacity-building measurement tools and strategies, and creation of advocacy plans for specific partners.
• Monitor and review the impact of capacity-building support and recommend improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of capacity-building initiatives.
• Participate in the provision of rapid response to SRHR policy issues as they arise.
• Support the Head of Advocacy and Communications in the efforts towards Safeguarding the SRHR space in Africa.
• Activate national, regional and UN mechanisms to oppose and protect against SRHR retrogression.
• Contribute to SRHR thought leadership in the Africa region.

Judicial engagement:

• Design and advance strategies for the program’s work to build SRHR jurisprudence in Africa and lead the effective implementation of those strategies.
• Develop content for thought pieces supporting the Center’s desired changes in legal doctrine.
• Oversee factual research and studies to support shifts in the jurisprudence.
• Create the plan for identifying and engaging key influencers and oversee its implementation.

Staff Leadership:

• Ensure direct reports have performance agreements that are aligned to the Center’s strategy and which provides clarity in effort and contribution.
• Coach, mentor and motivate staff to maximize individual and Team performance.
• Role model Centre’s values by embedding Team management practices that show case commitment to the DEI in all work spheres,

General

• Any other relevant duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Qualifications:

• A first degree in social science in a relevant field or a degree in Law. Relevant post graduate degree or other relevant professional qualification is a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years progressive experience in managing and implementing multi-faceted donor funded development projects.
• Knowledge of international human rights, women’s rights, and Africa regional human rights mechanism.
• Advocacy experience at the regional and international levels, including as part of NGO coalitions.
• Solid experience in project management.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and executing persuasive strategies for change.
• Experience in the development of policies, position statements and briefing papers.
• Demonstrated experience in managing diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with colleagues in the Africa team and from other regions and units.
• Strategic thinking in managing stakeholder engagement, relationship management and influencing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills especially the ability to adapt writing style and oral message to specific audience and purpose.
• Tenacity and drive with ability to work and adopt to a fast-paced dynamic work environment.
• Strong conceptual skills coupled with an orientation to continuous Learning.
• Able to inspire and energize project teams; to work independently and interdependently in cross functional work areas.
• Excellent social and networking skills, ability to engage with the private sector, civil society and governments.
• Highly developed analytical skills in political judgement required for effective and accurate data analysis.
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and other e-based communication channels and tools.
• Willingness to travel to all project locations and other locations, as necessary.

Critical Competencies:

• Strategic thinking: Applies big-picture thinking while also focusing on the details of implementation.
• Decisiveness: Consistently makes sound decisions in a timely manner supportive of the Center's mission, core values, and strategic objectives. Blends vision and judgment.
• Collaboration: Brings a track record of working effectively with various and diverse individuals and groups, and a willingness to actively listen and invite different views and opinions across all levels of the institution to build alignment in support of a common goal.
• Receives and Provides Direct Feedback: Actively gives and requests feedback to and from peers, supervisors and direct reports (if applicable) about work products, behaviors, values, style and approaches with a view on how this impacts self, other individuals and teams.
• Transparency: Consistently applies openness and honesty in communicating decisions and plans to team members.
• Commitment to learn: Applies a growth mentality to their own and their team’s (if applicable) development. Promotes a culture of learning by modeling inquisitiveness and an openness to viewing mistakes as an opportunity to learn and improve.
• Passion for Coaching, and Mentoring Staff: Empowers and motivates employees and creates opportunities for learning, development, and leadership, with a focus on harnessing skills for the future development of team members. (if applicable)
• Accountability: Follows through on each commitment made to individual contributors, teams and partners and proactively informs others of any delays that occur along the way. Holds team members accountable.
• Integrity: Possesses impeccable integrity and personal and professional values that are consistent with the Center’s high standards and mission.
• Empathy: Serves as an empathetic, approachable leader who engenders trust and confidence. (if applicable)
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Demonstrates comfort with ambiguity and calculated risk.