Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor – Hypertension at Resolve to Save Lives

Position Summary:

• RTSL is recruiting for a Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor – Hypertension to support program policy and advocacy initiatives at sub-national level for the domestication of National NCD policies and guidelines, including advisory at National level. The role is a two-year, fixed-term position with the possibility of extension based on business need. This position is remote employment based in Abuja, Nigeria with ability to travel locally and to convenings as may be needed.
• The role holder will be responsible for supporting the development and implementation of advocacy strategies, support policymaking, and forging and strengthening partnerships to drive positive change for the delivery of quality Cardiovascular Health initiatives in Nigeria. The role holder will carry out research, analyze new and existing national, bilateral and multilateral policies; prepare policy briefs and other advocacy documents; research global health issues and support the development and implementation of policy recommendations in relation to improving hypertension control rates in Nigeria. The role will ensure good quality program work by promoting the intersection of hypertension control and overall primary health care management systems. Lessons learned will be communicated to civil society, government actors, donors and other practitioners to advocate for better CVH services and policies.
• Under the guidance of the CVH Principal Advisor and Manager and matrix management of the Executive Director, the Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor - Hypertension will support the sub-national advocacy strategies for increased domestic health financing of integrated NCD interventions particularly under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) within the scope of the Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR) agenda. The role holder will also be responsible for working on various CVH–related priorities such as Hypertension treatment guidelines, the Task Shifting, Tasking Sharing (TSTS) policy and the Kano Public Health and Center for Disease Control (KCDC) bills. Activities which aim to result in legally binding instruments, including legal aspects of policy analysis or briefs will be undertaken in collaboration with the CVH Legal Team. This role will also provide additional and complementary support to the Senior Legal Advisor, working closely with the global advocacy partners and civil society organizations, such as the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). This will involve working collaboratively across departments and functions of RTSL.
• This role will also support the Executive Director and the Senior Program Management sub-teams to raise RTSL Nigeria’s profile at National and sub-national levels, particularly with the Ministries of Health, Primary Health Care Development Agencies, relevant MDAs and donor agencies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Research, identify and articulate key issues, trends, policies and practices, sector financing and sector strengthening initiatives relevant to Non communicable diseases, particularly RTLS’s cardiovascular health program at national, sub-national policy and program delivery levels.
• Monitor and analyze global, regional and national policy and program trends such as are documented in the Africa CDC Non-Communicable Diseases, Injuries Prevention and Control and Mental Health Promotion Strategy (2022-26), WHO STEPS Survey reports, the Nigeria NCD strategy, the National and State Health Development Plans, the Essential Medicines List, Hypertension Treatment guidelines and other relevant policies, frameworks and guidelines including hypertension control across multiple sectors within the health and related sectors to inform influencing and advocacy plans.
• Undertake research on the NHCI projects and programs, primarily to produce policy briefs on behalf of and in conjunction with other CVH project staff.
• Develop a people-centered advocacy strategy based on stakeholder and power mapping to identify key NCD policy issues as well as support the development and execution of creative influencing strategies.
• Document and share learning on NCD related policy issues and civil society engagement to garner support for improved Hypertension services at sub-national and community levels through the Primary Health Care Centers.
• Actively cultivate impactful relationships with key ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and build and maintain strong partnerships with like-minded organizations, such as civil society organizations (CSO’s, coalitions, and networks to amplify NCD advocacy efforts and promote cross-sharing of best practice models and ensure alignment with CVH goals.
• Build the team’s capacity to deliver effective influencing-led programs and collaborate with the teams to integrate advocacy messaging and policy priorities into programmatic activities.
• In collaboration with the Regional Communications Manager, support the collection and documentation of impact stories for sharing, learning and advocacy.
• Develop and ensure continued updates of a portfolio of evidence to support all policy positions and advocacy calls.
• In collaboration with the team and sub-national governments, support and identify opportunities for resource mobilization for policy and program delivery at sub-national level.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Economics, Political Science, Development Studies, or equivalent. A Master’s degree in a related field would be an added advantage.
• At least ten (10) years of relevant applicable and practical experience in policy, advocacy and influencing within international development and/or public health.
• Expertise in policy analysis and advocacy strategy development, planning and execution, ideally within the context of public health.
• Experience in policy/ strategy/ action plan formulation, report/article writing and documentation.
• Experience of writing briefings or reports, including making complex topics accessible for non-experts.
• Deep knowledge of Nigeria health ecosystem, particularly primary health service delivery approaches.
• Good knowledge and understanding of national and sub-national health architecture, government institutions and policymaking processes. Additional experience in other domains, sectors or geographic regions an advantage.
• Sound knowledge of integrated approaches to public health and experience in high-level capacity building activities, including partnerships with government MDA’s and development actors, convening, systems strengthening, creating behavioral change, gender and inclusion.
• Experience building and maintaining partnerships with Government, NGOs and other development partners and the private sector.
• Experience working with policy platforms, networks and implementing program policy and advocacy initiatives with government structures at National, Sub national and Local Government levels.
• Ability to establish strong relationships and rapport with stakeholders and partners from other teams and maintain networks outside the organization.
• Ability to communicate the benefits of sustainable health ecosystems to stakeholders from different sectors.