Senior Manager, Corporate Communications and Advocacy at Amref Kenya

JOB PURPOSE

• Reporting to the Group Director, Partnerships and External Affairs, the Senior Communications and Advocacy Manager will manage aspects of communication, advocacy, knowledge management and information sharing, to support the implementation of communications and advocacy initiatives across Amref countries, including E/NA and all countries in which we communicate. In this role the ideal candidate will serve as a strategic communications partner to various country leaders/departments and help drive their thought leadership narrative across internal and external channels, contributing to Amref’s strategic objective of becoming the number one non-governmental and civil society voice on Africa’s health agenda. S/He will help lead the execution of a compelling integrated communications strategy. S/He will serve as a global communications and advocacy lead helping to build and proactively advance Amref brand, increase visibility and raise awareness of the organization. This will also include focus on documentation to inform advocacy efforts, policy and practice. It is expected that s/he will take the lead in strategy, planning, development and implementation of advocacy and communications campaigns initiated by the corporate office.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Communications and Advocacy Manager will be responsible for the following:

•  Develop an advocacy communications workplan that is aligned to the corporate strategy.
•  Provide support to implementation of creative communications plan in order to promote Amref’s visibility globally, including engagement with traditional media, digital platforms, government and donors.
•  Develop and support implementation of advocacy approaches for internal and external advocacy communications. This includes aligning and advancing key Amref initiatives and advocacy priorities.
•  Support and manage external activities and engagement related to the advocacy communications portfolio.
•  Identify strategic opportunities and platforms to elevate Amref’s advocacy and policy priorities. Identify strategic moments and opportunities, and new champions to influence target stakeholders and amplify Amref goals and objectives. Leverage trends in media coverage, key announcements, new evidence and high-level conversations to further the work of Amref globally.
•  Elevate the voice and expertise of influencers and champions by publishing opinion pieces at key moments, prepping them for interviews, and providing ongoing guidance and support.
• This includes leading and coordinating Amref’s Speakers’ Bureau.
•  Lead sourcing, drafting and disseminating content for various Amref communication platforms which include: the Amref websites (global/corporate and Africa), social media platforms, newsletters, annual reports and other information, education and communication materials.
•  Provide support in developing and implementing an editorial strategy that spans Africa, European and North American contexts.
•  Connect and engage employees through storytelling that highlights and celebrates various Amref initiatives.
•  Convene partners, influencers and decision-makers – coordinating/overseeing high-level events, including identifying invitees and speakers, developing programmes, presentation and the run-of-shows.
•  Work with internal and external stakeholders to prioritize, identify and develop themes, schedules, content, logistics, and outreach strategies.
•  Build advocacy coalitions of support with dedicated outreach, organization and relationship management.
•  Remain informed of trends in health policies and opportunities to continuously inform Amref’s strategy execution. Provide advice and expertise on advocacy and outreach issues, methods, and approaches.
•  Work with key experts, take the lead in media engagement activities and training to raise the profile of Amref as well as showcase programme implementation, growth and opportunities for partnership.

Team Management and Collaboration:

•  Work closely with the external communications agency to shape the advocacy and communications strategy.
•  Work closely with the corporate and fundraising communications teams across Africa and E/NAs as well as HQ, to develop an internal and external communications learning agenda that measures and documents the communication engagement pathways of Amref.

Key internal collaborators include:

•  Fundraising offices located in Europe and North America, GFDO, particularly on providing information needed for fundraising efforts.
•  Collaborate with the Global Fundraising Development Office and local fundraising and communications staff to harmonise messaging across fundraising storytelling and content production.
•  Advocacy and Communications teams located in Africa, Europe and Northern America countries.
•  Programmes Division and its departments, including the Institute of Capacity Development and the Health Systems Strengthening Department.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Professional Qualifications

•  Bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies or Social Sciences required
•  Master’s degree is an added advantage
•  Training and broad knowledge of mass media and interpersonal communication is an asset

Required Qualifications and Experience

•  At least ten (10) years of experience in Communications and Advocacy of which 6 years in senior level.
•  Experience in advising senior leaders on communications strategy, messaging, and engagement.
•  Experience managing projects and driving cross-functional alignment on shared outcomes with a highly distributed team.
•  Communications, public relations, advocacy or journalism experience.
•  Public health, global development or campaign experience.
•  INGO, development experience in a regional or global scope is required
•  Experience working with media to develop in-depth stories on complex health topics.
•  Fluency in English language skills. French is highly desired, but not a prerequisite
•  Experience managing, assessing, and maximizing knowledge management platforms
•  Experience managing, overseeing content collection/creation, and working with communications software for contact management, webinars, etc
•  Experience managing and implementing social media strategies on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc
•  Ability to work in fast-paced, rapidly changing environment with diverse stakeholders
•  Proven experience in development of communications materials, presentations, and publications

Competencies and Skills

•  Strong analytical, writing and verbal skills for communicating with a broad and diverse audience.
•  Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-partner environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organisation.
•  Ability to plan, manage and work in high-pressure situations under tight deadlines.
•  Flexibility and adaptability.
•  Strong diplomatic and communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships with clients and counterparts at the appropriate levels.
•  Strong organisation skills and attention to detail.

Compensation

• This role attracts internationally competitive benefits including relocation for internationally recruited staff.