Program Officer – Advocacy Partnership Development at Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)

The Position:

Reporting to the Head of Policy and Advocacy, this position will support the continued development and execution of AGRA’s policy and country support strategy working closely with all internal stakeholders and key external partners. The positon will primarily seek to bolster the implementation of the organization’s strategy through building and strengthening international, regional and national partnerships across the spectrum of civil society, private sector, donor communities, as well as national governments to increase policy, political and financial commitments to agricultural transformation and deliver a shared set of policy and resource outcomes. The role will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

· Provide overall lead support for AGRA’s Advocacy Agenda.

· Support the Head of Policy and Advocacy to lead AGRA’s international, regional and national advocacy engagements. This will include working with the evolving country office structures and provide overall guidance on advocacy-related interventions including: budgeting, strategic direction, activities and identifying resource-persons to provide technical and logistical support where required.

· Work with country teams to develop the key grants that would help to execute the Policy and Advocacy Unit strategy.

· Provide guidance, support and feedback to country teams on advocacy grants and/or engagements that will help countries to achieve their agricultural transformation outcomes.

· Participate in the direct advocacy of key donors, private sector organizations, relevant regional governing bodies, national governments and strategic institutions at country level [in AGRA priority countries] to galvanize their buy-in and support.

· Co-create and co-lead the development and implementation of engagement strategies for AGRA’s regional and/or national campaigns.

· Work with country teams to coordinate a range of national/regional events that crowd in key national, regional and international stakeholders. These events should seek to outline key advocacy messages that would influence key policymakers while also supporting countries showcase progress made.

· Leverage the best of AGRA’s assets and create and manage partnerships that build regional and national alliances (that crowd in key national, regional and international stakeholders) to advance and refine advocacy strategies. This will entail bringing groups together to identify opportunities and dates to create “moments” to work together. In addition, the position will identify and use opportunities as they arise to deliver advocacy messages that will help keep issues of agricultural transformation on the region’s policy and political agenda.

· Represent AGRA at key program-related external constituencies. This includes both formal and informal presentations such as making speeches, attending conferences and other meetings as necessary.

· This role is responsible for high quality interactions and a clear and consistent communications with grantees and partners in the field.

Academic, Professional Qualifications and Relevant experience:

· Advanced degree with 10+ years of experience working in government, public affairs, civil society carrying out roles aimed at influencing policy change. In the absence of an advanced degree an additional four (4) years of professional experience is required.

· Demonstrable experience in relationship management especially the ability to effectively engage with a diverse range of stakeholders at the highest level.

· Strong communication skills (both written and oral), able to effectively synthesize information to reach diverse audiences and build consensus. Ability to communicate in French will be considered an asset.

· Proven ability to lead and influence others in a constructive manner and to build and sustain collaborative relationships.

· Recognized internally and externally among the global and/or regional community as an expert within a particular specialized field.

An attractive remuneration package commensurate with this position’s responsibility will be negotiated with the successful candidate.