Policy and Government Engagement Support at Evidence Action

Job Purpose

• The Policy and Government Engagement Support contributes to Evidence Action Nigeria's efforts to strengthen relationships with government stakeholders and advance evidence-based policy change. The role supports research, stakeholder engagement, and communication activities that facilitate the adoption and scale-up of cost-effective interventions within Nigeria's public health and development systems. The Temp will conduct policy research and analysis, coordinate and support government engagements, document policy and stakeholder activities, and develop communication materials that translate evidence into actionable insights for policymakers.

Requirements
Duties and Responsibilities

Policy Research and Analysis

• Conduct desktop research on relevant policies, government programs, and legislative developments affecting Evidence Action's programmatic areas
• Review and synthesize policy documents, white papers, and government reports to identify opportunities for evidence-based advocacy
• Prepare policy briefs and background notes that summarize key findings and recommendations for internal and external stakeholders
• Monitor policy trends and emerging governance issues within Nigeria's health and development sectors on an ongoing basis, keep a record of government appointees and stakeholders, and update any changes in leadership of ministries and MDAs
• Compile and maintain a database of relevant policy resources and stakeholder contacts

Government and Stakeholder Engagement

• Secure and coordinate meetings and engagement activities with government officials, ministries, and agencies
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and presentations for stakeholder meetings and policy dialogues
• Independently coordinate and host meetings with government stakeholders.
• Support regular updates of stakeholder mapping exercises to identify key decision-makers and influencers within government structures
• Draft follow-up correspondence and meeting summaries to maintain effective communication with government partners
• Takes initiative to identify policy trends, opportunities, and challenges relevant to Evidence Action's work without constant supervision

Presentation and Document Preparation

• Prepare, format, and update presentation templates and briefing materials for government and stakeholder engagements
• Ensure all materials are accurate, professional, and aligned with organizational branding and messaging

Stakeholder Engagement Support

• Build and maintain professional relationships with government contacts, administrative staff, and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate access and cooperation
• Follow up persistently and diplomatically on pending appointments, approvals, or responses from government offices
• Represent the organization professionally in all interactions with external stakeholders

Monitoring, Documentation, and Reporting

• Track and document all policy engagement activities, meetings, and communications in the organizational database or tracking system
• Support the collection and analysis of data related to policy influence and government collaboration outcomes
• Maintain an up-to-date calendar of relevant policy events, changes in government officials, government deadlines, and advocacy opportunities
• Assist in developing case studies that demonstrate the impact of Evidence Action's policy engagement efforts.

Learning and Development

• Complete 3 courses that will facilitate their growth in the role.
• Collaborate with program, research, and communications teams to ensure alignment between policy engagement and programmatic activities
• Support other team members with administrative tasks and ad hoc projects that advance the organization's policy objectives
• Engage in capacity-building opportunities, including training sessions, webinars, and learning exchanges to develop professional skills
• Provide general administrative support to the Policy and Government Engagement team as required

Benefits
Key Performance Indicators

• Meeting Securement—Secure at least 6 requested meetings by December 2026
• Meeting Execution - Host 4 meetings by December 2026 with minimal challenges. Share meeting reports within 2 working days of the conclusion of each meeting with minimal errors and corrections.
• Presentation Quality & Turnaround—Presentation templates and materials delivered accurately within 48 hours of being assigned, with minimal revisions needed
• Stakeholder Responsiveness - 24-hour follow-up and resolution rate on pending stakeholder requests/appointments
• Stakeholder Relationship Quality—Qualitative feedback from senior associates and stakeholders on professionalism and rapport-building
• Proactive Learning & Development - Complete 2 learning initiatives in the first 3 months and maintain current stakeholder/government official contact lists

Qualifications

• All qualifications must comply with provincial human rights legislation.
• Requirements for Governance and Policy Engagement -Temporary Hire

Educational Background

• Bachelor's in Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, International Development, Public Health, Development Studies, Communications, or related fields
• Strong academic record with demonstrated interest in evidence-based policy and governance issues

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years' experience in stakeholder engagement, government relations, public relations, administrative support in a policy/advocacy environment, or a similar people-facing role
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills—a genuine "people person" able to build rapport quickly across different levels of seniority
• Tenacity and persistence in following up and securing appointments, even in slow-moving or challenging government/bureaucratic environments
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple schedules and priorities simultaneously
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Canva, etc. (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides)—particularly comfort in developing and formatting professional presentations
• Discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive or confidential information
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while keeping supervisors informed

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
• Skilled in preparing, formatting, and updating presentation templates and briefing materials
• Familiarity with Canva or other design tools for creating polished, professional materials
• Basic research skills, with the ability to gather and organize information on stakeholders, government processes, and meeting outcomes
• Comfortable maintaining trackers/logs (e.g., contact databases, meeting schedules, follow-up status)

Communication Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; understanding and speaking Hausa is an advantage but not a requirement
• Confident and articulate when engaging government officials, administrative staff, and other stakeholders in person, by phone, or in writing
• Ability to draft clear, professional correspondence, meeting invitations, and follow-up communications
• Experience preparing or contributing to presentations, briefing notes, or stakeholder updates for diverse audiences
• Able to take good-quality photos and short videos during meetings and events for documentation purposes
• Strong interpersonal skills—a natural "people person" able to build rapport quickly and maintain positive working relationships across all levels of seniority
• Diplomatic and persistent in following up on pending appointments or responses, particularly in slow-moving or challenging government environments

Personal Attributes

• Self-motivated with strong organizational and time-management skills, able to manage multiple schedules and priorities
• Tenacious and resourceful—does not give up easily when securing appointments or navigating bureaucratic delays
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, particularly in scheduling and presentation materials
• Comfortable working with minimal supervision while keeping the Senior Associate informed of progress
• Professional demeanor and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability when working across diverse government and institutional environments
• Positive, can-do attitude with the confidence to represent the organization professionally in external-facing situations