ACF Advocacy Manager Job in Kenya

Direct line manager: Deputy Country Director
Line management of: None    Starting date: 1st August 2013   Ending date: 31st July 2014   

Founded in 1979, ACF International (Action Against Hunger) is an international humanitarian organization that delivers programs in over 40 countries. 

Recognized worldwide as a leader in the fight against hunger, our mission is to save lives through the prevention, detection, and treatment of malnutrition, especially during and after emergency situations and conflicts. From crisis to sustainability, ACF tackles the underlying causes of malnutrition and its effects. By integrating our programs with local and national systems, we further ensure that short-term interventions become long-term solutions. With Head Offices in France, the United Kingdom, Spain, the United States and Canada, our international network shares its combined resources, breadth of experience and technical expertise in pursuit of a world without hunger.

ACF is present in Kenya since 2001. Currently the mission is implementing program activities in West Pokot, Isiolo, Tana River, Garissa and Dadaab refugee camps.

Summary

ACF Kenya is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced candidate to take on the position of the Advocacy Manager based in Nairobi. 

Under the supervision and guidance from the DCD and with technical support from the HQ Advocacy Team, the Advocacy Manager will be responsible for the implementation of the mission advocacy strategy consistent with international advocacy issues pursued by ACF-International. The main objective of this position is to promote the technical and operational strategy and increase ACF impact by creating political and institutional changes at national and county level ( from SUN to devolution).

Overall Objectives

Expand, coordinate and improve  ACF’s advocacy and communication  for tackling under nutrition at national and county levels Explore and implement different advocacy and communication strategies /mechanisms to ensure the inclusion of nutrition on the county political and development agendaDevelop and communicate advocacy messages targeted to various stakeholder groups and especially decision makers at county level (and secondary at national) using evidence based communication tools and platforms.Disseminate updates on new developments in nutrition advocacy, new development in government policies, regional and international events, etc.Specific Objectives and Activities:

SO1: Contribute to the development of the advocacy  strategy

Activities

Developing the mission advocacy strategy consistent with the technical strategies and ACF international (and regional if applicable) advocacy strategies: identification of objectives of change, analysing contemporary country specific debates (resilience, devolution) defining the messages, targets and partners and relevant tools. Develop a work plan, with specific advocacy and communications  objectives and activities, as well as a calendar and budget, for the period from  June 2013 to  July  2014Set up a calendar, with county, national  and regional key events for  advocacy opportunitiesIncorporate advocacy objectives within mission’s proposals and reports Facilitate the sharing of advocacy objectives within the mission SO2 : Implement the advocacy strategy at national and county level

Activities

Support in-country management to ensure the integration of advocacy in regular programmingManaging information necessary for advocacy activities at national and county level elaborating the action plan and coordinating the implementation of advocacy activities with the program teamsExamples of task:
Analyze the situation on advocacy issues: Collect and update the data, follow political, financial, administrative, county, national or international dates, follow the positioning of all parties and their changes.Coordinate the collection of evidence through the results of ACF programs in the country and according to opportunities to influenceWrite positioning papers and summaries and actively participate to the writing of messages/arguments.Participate to official and lobbying meetings about issues related to the advocacy strategy in cooperation with the Heads of Technical Departments, the Head of Base and Deputy Country DirectorTo develop or contribute to development of advocacy products such as policy briefings, letters, submissions and other advocacy productsSO3 : Represent ACF to outside bodies

ActivitiesDevelop a mapping using a power analysis of key decision makers (in the ACF operational areas) for  nutrition sector (nutrition direct and sensitive) Developing and coordinating partnerships with other parties on advocacy activities (NGO, civil society) and facilitating joint advocacy activitiesTo undertake advocacy and lobbying as required with in-country national and county decision-making bodies and stakeholders (including Governors, local MPs etc.)Supporting the Country Director (or Deputy CD) in developing contact with the media in order to have an effective and efficient channels for advocacy messages To engage in networking, building relations with national and county stakeholders to continually inform, challenge and improve advocacy messages and tacticsContributing to advocacy related working groups (NTF sub group, IAWG)SO4: Capacity  building and repository of information

ActivitiesRecording lessons learned, best practices and challenges on advocacy activities and transmit to HQTrain/ sensitization all Program Manager on advocacyRepository of  advocacy and communication  initiates , tools and  documentsBachelor’s degree in social sciences, communication and mediaMaster’s degree in relevant field desirableMinimum 5 years in the humanitarian/development sectorMinimum 2 years of humanitarian experience in an advocacy positionExperience with ACF is desirableKnowledge and practical experience of general humanitarian standards and principles such as Sphere Standards, HAP, and the Red Cross Code of Conduct, Do No Harm and conflict sensitivity.Up to date knowledge of the humanitarian discourse around key concepts such as devolution, resilience, LRRDAdvanced knowledge of donors’ guidelines/proceduresFluency in written and spoken EnglishExcellent knowledge of  Microsoft PackageGood understanding of all three ACF’s technical sectors is desirableExcellent planning skillsOutstanding writing and communication skillsExceptional organizational and management skillsTraining and capacity building skillsGood analytical and presentation skills.Credibility to lobby, network, influence and represent ACF Kenya at all levels.Must be disciplined and able to work autonomously and arrive at decisions and conclusions with minimal guidance.Proven ability to learn and adaptStart date: August 2013Duty station: Nairobi Office with frequent travel to the field bases. ACF will provide transport and accommodation plus meals when travelling to the field basesRemuneration package: Very Competitive salary package with additional benefits to include:Career development opportunities with ACFTraining opportunities Comprehensive medical cover for self and dependantsOpportunity to work in a good and friendly environment with a dynamic and motivated teamDuration of contract: One year contract, renewable depending on funding availability and performanceClosing Date:  30th June 2013 by Close of Business 5pm. Applications sent after the closing date and time will not be considered.

Interested candidates should forward their applications including a cover letter, curriculum vitae and telephone contacts and email addresses of 3 referees preferably former/current supervisors (certificates will be required later on in the recruitment process) to:
Email: recruit.ke@acf-international.org  indicate the position on the subject line of the email.

Position opened to Kenyan Nationals only