Vacancy at Save the Children International

The Advocacy and Communication Officer will contribute to Save the Children’s efforts to influence and bring about change in the awareness, attitudes, behaviours and policies related to the rights of children in the country programme in the state of posting.

Key accountabilities

Strategy Development

• Identify policy and practice for change, on the basis of Save the Children’s experience, that would promote and protect the rights of children.
• Formulate key advocacy messages and targets from lessons learned, assessments, research and evidence gained through project implementation on Health and Nutrition.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of advocacy objectives and initiatives, both short and long term, encompassing a wide range of issues and audiences on Health and Nutrition.
• Ensure that voices of children form the basis of Save the Children’s advocacy strategy.
• Acquire information and understanding of social policy and adapt strategies as necessary.
• Maintain a strategic overview of issues affecting children, monitoring trends in the external environment and inputting to organisational strategy and planning processes.
• Keep a watching brief on policy makers and other key players in relation to child health and nutrition issues and identify opportunities to raise awareness and influence policy change.
• Contribute to all efforts to raise/nurture CSO coalition and champions for vaccine, health workers and nutrition at the state level.

Influencing

• Develop good knowledge of state and national government structures, parliamentary and political processes and key decision making structures and how to influence them.
• Undertake a range of lobbying, communications and other activities to inform and persuade policy makers, including donors and politicians, of the value of Save the Children’s policy recommendations.
• Build systems for research, analysis and documentation that underpin evidence based advocacy and influencing at state and national levels.
• Develop dissemination and communication strategies for key advocacy messages.
• Produce reports, briefing papers and presentations for internal and external audiences, as directed.

Collaboration & Representation

• Develop strategic relationships with other agencies engaged in advocacy and policy work.
• Develop and maintain a network of external contacts with key individuals in the government, NGO sector, civil society and the media.
• Build the capacity of staff from Save the Children and partner agencies in advocacy and communications.
• Represent Save the Children at various policy forums and advocacy opportunities at national and international levels, as directed.
• Act as a spokesperson for Save the Children to a variety of external audiences including policy makers and the media, as directed.
• Liaise closely with staff in the Policy and Communication units at Save the Children headquarters and coordinate with other Save the Children members.

Programme Development

• Support the programme team in the development of research methodologies, data analysis, report writing and publication.

• Ensure clear links and mutual reinforcement between programmatic approaches and advocacy strategies.

• Write regular progress reports, including annual impact monitoring reports.

• Perform other tasks, as required, to ensure the smooth running of the country programme.

Person specification

The post holder will possess a high degree of analytical skill, political acumen, ability to facilitate change, ability to influence, and ability to communicate key advocacy messages effectively and convincingly to a diverse audience at local, national and international levels.

Essential

1. University degree in health, nutrition, communications or related social science field.
2. Substantial experience in advocacy and policy development / research in the development context.
3. Must be currently residing/working in Gombe, Bauchi or its environs
4. Good understanding of the possibilities and tactics for influencing decision and policy makers, politicians, donors, and other key actors.
5. Knowledge of the media and its role in raising awareness and shaping public policy.
6. Good understanding of strategies for achieving sustainable child Health and Nutrition policies through participatory processes, and the links with gender, diversity and other aspects of identity.
7. Excellent conceptual and analytical skills and demonstrable ability to think strategically, innovatively and practically to ensure achievement of desired change objectives.
8. Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences at local, national and international levels.
9. Ability to build and maintain relationships with partner agencies and key contacts in the government, NGO, civil society and media sectors.
10. Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines.
11. Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, adaptability and ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
12. Ability to travel extensively in the country.
13. Good computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, email / internet) and ability to be self-supporting in most administrative tasks.
14. Fluent English language skills (written and verbal).
15. Commitment to the values, mission, aims and policies of Save the Children.

Desirable

1. Experience in training others in advocacy techniques and influencing tactics.
2. Prior work experience in advocacy in Nigeria.
3. Knowledge of the policies, functions, structures and decision-making processes of key national institutions with regard to child Nutrition.
4. Experience working with children on Health and Nutrition will be an added advantage.
5. Local language skills (Ability to communicate in Hausa will be an advantage).