Advocacy Manager - Abuja at Medecins Du Monde

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the General coordinator, the Advocacy and Communication Manager will be part of the Senior Management Team and will be in charge of designing and implementing the country advocacy strategy and action plan which falls within MdM's overarching advocacy strategy. You will work in close collaboration with the coordination team in Abuja, the field teams in Borno state and Katsina state as well as with the HQ referent.

ACTIVITIES DESCRIPTION:

Design and Review Advocacy Strategy

• He/She will develop a thorough advocacy strategy for the MdM-F Nigeria mission by assessing, analyzing the situation, MdM's capabilities, and its strengths and shortcomings and redevelop approaches for advocacy.
• He/She will develop the mission’s global advocacy plan.
• Recognize the strategies used by other parties (for example, local and international NGOs, UN agencies, and human rights organizations).
• In close cooperation with other MdM missions, identify advocacy goals specific to the MdM network and Nigeria.
• Create a document outlining the advocacy strategy, including the primary stakeholders, supporters, means and tools for achieving the goals, and barriers, and share it with the mission.
• To support the plan and forge alliances, continue to track and analyze trends, national and international judgements, and policies pertaining to Nigeria.

Implementation of Advocacy Strategy

• Lead in the implementation and monitoring of the mission advocacy strategy action plan.
• Supervise the implementation of advocacy activities (sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR), health system strengthening…) at the local, state, and national level to ensure their quality and be able to alert coordination teams to operational issues and propose adjustments accordingly.
• Take part in the animation of coalitions and partnership networks mobilizing the stakeholders of MdM's interventions in Nigeria.
• Organize the missions and participate in local advocacy workshops; develop frameworks for dialogue and sharing of experience/good practices at the local and/or national, regional, and international level relating to humanitarian advocacy and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) (including the fight against GBV) and the health systems…
• Influence relevant national policy frameworks and stakeholders for the MdM Nigeria interventions.
• Monitor and regularly report on progress of MdM’s advocacy for Nigeria. 
• Contribute to the Nigeria’s mid-term and final evaluation from an advocacy perspective. 
• Provide SMT with a comprehensive picture of local, national, and international trends related to the war and humanitarian needs for our target group.
• Take lead in the construction of key messages and arguments, depending on the contexts and health policies on the various advocacy themes carried by the mission.
• Actively participate in the production and centralization of evidence from MdM activities in Nigeria to feed advocacy.

Coordination, networking and reporting

• Support the implementation of the joint advocacy strategy by providing strategic advice to national, regional, and global advocacy focal points’ action plans, and by identifying and coordinating common issues, challenges, and good practices. 
• In coordination and cooperation with advocacy counterparts, maintain and expand relations with international inter-agency groups and networks working on advocacy in Nigeria, and ensure synergies between them and national and local efforts. 
• Identify potential new strategic partners and alliances to leverage positions. 
• Ensure internal and external communication regarding advocacy.
• Contribute to the monthly reports, proposals, donor reports and other internal documents.

OTHERS:

• Be flexible in performing his duties
• Inform immediately the General Coordinator in case of any security problem.
• Participate in a pro-active way in MdM internal meetings that maybe requested

Essential Qualification:

• University degree in law, social sciences, communication, or other related field;
• Very good research and analytical skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft office, word and Excel is required, knowledge of communication software is an asset.
• Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively, including ability to prepare reports, make presentations
• Full command in writing, reading and speaking of English, Hausa, and Kanuri
• Good intuition skill is desired
• Experience of working effectively in complex environments
• Experience of networking and stakeholders coordination
• Be proactive in improving skills by keeping up to date with new context development

 Important Note:

• Qualified females are highly encouraged to apply.
• Only successful applicants will be called for the next steps and are obligated to disclose any information about family member(s) currently in the employment with MDM-France in any location. 
• No monetary transactions, neither demands of favors in kind, nor other types of favoritism will be tolerated in the MDM recruitment process.
• MDM reserves the right to refuse hiring a candidate having benefitted from any such acts. All illicit demands may be pursued through the judicial system.
• MDM is an equal opportunity employer and encourages any Nigerian citizen to apply irrespective of race, gender, religion, creed, political affiliation.
• Dual Employment is considered gross misconduct and hence not acceptable.
• MDM reserves the right to cancel any step or whole of the recruitment process at any stage.
• MDM France takes this opportunity to thank all potential candidates for their application.