Director, Advocacy and Strategic Relationship Africa at ONE Campaign

Job Title: Director, Advocacy and Strategic Relationship Africa

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Director for Advocacy and Strategic Relations will lead ONE’s advocacy and strategic relations strategy in Africa. They will be responsible for managing and enhancing ONE’s relationships with government officials, policy makers, lawmakers, and relevant stakeholders. This role involves creating and implementing strategies to influence public policy, governance and to advance ONE’s objectives, vision, and mission.

This role is crucial in maintaining and developing networks with individuals and organizations in government, civil society, and the private sector. The Director for Advocacy and Strategic Relations will develop and deliver global, Pan Africa, and national advocacy and campaigns, as well as engage with politicians, senior government officials, civil society and private sector leaders, and media.

This role reports to the Africa Executive Director, serves on the Africa Leadership Team, and contribute to organizational development activities globally. The successful candidate will be an enterprise leader that is passionate about developing others, building organizations and achieving challenging goals.

The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial in nature and possess extensive experience in high-level relationship management, with excellent knowledge of African politics and decision-making processes in Africa’s countries and regional and continental bodies. They will be a strong presenter and communicator, be a flexible and enthusiastic leader that prefers working on a team player rather than being a sole contributor. They get things done. They must have exceptional interpersonal and management skills and excellent media instincts. An in-depth knowledge of international development, health advocacy, economics, and/or finance essential.

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL

Policy Advocacy

•  Lead the development and implementation of ONE’s advocacy strategy in Africa, with in-depth knowledge of healthcare, economics, finance, and or international development.
•  Engage with policymakers to advocate for policies that align with ONE’s vision, mission, and agreed-upon priorities. This involves monitoring political developments in Africa and globally as they pertain to Africa, making policy-influencing proposals, and formulating strategic approaches to influence decision-making processes.
•  Work collaboratively with other countries (market teams) to co-create a portfolio of relevant policy research and positions to support African and global advocacy objectives and add African context to the global organization’s voice.
•  Demonstrate commitment to and depth of knowledge in ONE’s policy priorities – healthy lives and economic opportunities in Africa – with a clear understanding of the links between policy, lobbying, campaigning, and media work and of how policy change can be achieved through effective and impactful advocacy.
•  Exhibit excellent influencing and lobbying skills to identify and maximize opportunities for policy change, policy implementation, monitoring and citizen’s engagement in support of ONE priority areas

Networking and Relationship Management

•  Foster productive partnerships and establish a network of contacts to build and grow strong relationships with government officials and policy makers. The Director will effectively represent ONE’s interests and secure support for key initiatives that are in line with our work.
•  Work effectively and sensitively with a wide range of strategic allies & partners at multiple levels (government, intergovernmental organizations, private sector, civil society), exhibiting superb networking skills by establishing strong partnerships across organizations and influencing partners to achieve optimal outcomes
•  Maintain close links with other international development advocates in Africa and globally, including campaigners and political advisors working in think tanks, NGOs, trade unions, faith communities, political parties and the private sector, ensuring their activities shape and inform ONE’s strategy.
•  Engage specific country civil society organisations and expert leadership in effective dialogue to ensure their input into the development of one’s targeted policy, campaigning, and advocacy areas.
•  Secure access for ONE to high-level strategic meetings, conferences, and other events
•  Represent ONE to senior government officials, politicians, and high-level events in Africa and globally.
•  Build and diversify our external network of local contacts among NGOs, corporate sector, academics, influencers and the media who are supportive of ONE’s mission.
•  Act as an active fundraiser with external partners.

Program Design and Management

•  Develop strategic and effective programs and initiatives to advance ONE’s mission across Africa and within non-African countries working closely with market teams
•  Provide exceptional project management to deliver projects on time and with impact
•  Communicate the opportunities, challenges and results of the programs to the board members, senior leadership and team members

Communication and Brand Management 

•  Communicate complex and sophisticated topics in simple, sticky ways to increase understanding and advocacy among relevant stakeholders
•  Develop mechanism to improve team project communications via board reports, team sharing, correspondence with stakeholders
•  Work closely with communications, campaigns, media, and marketing staff across the organization to maximize ONE’s campaign assets
•  Be ONE’s spoke person and seek media coverage for ONE’s policy advocacy and influencing work.

Operations Management

•  In collaboration with the Africa leadership team, lead the Government Relations teamwork, ensuring that the team members understand their roles and responsibilities and that a management system of accountability and transparency is in practice
•  Ensure budget and activities are in line with ONE planning and budgeting guidance, including program and budget monitoring and reporting on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis, and when necessary, on an ad-hoc basis
•  Contribute to the overall development, tracking, and management of Africa and organizational budgets.
•  Lead the performance of staff to include mentorship and professional development.

WHAT YOU BRING TO ONE

•  Bachelor’s Degree preferred with 10+ years of dynamic experience in policy advocacy targeting governments and multilateral bodies in Africa and globally.
•  minimum of three to five (3-5) years of management and team leadership experience
•  Entrepreneurial attitude with a healthy appreciation for dynamism, speed, responsiveness, and impatience for impact
•  A strong understanding of political dynamics and government processes in Africa and globally
•  Ability to think strategically, anticipate challenges, and develop proactive advocacy strategies
•  Experience designing and implementing effective lobbying strategies to achieve policy change. Ability to work effectively and sensitively with a wide range of partners; highly proficient at establishing strong partnerships across organizations and influencing stakeholders to achieve optimal outcomes
•  Extensive high-level contacts among key African leaders and/or their advisors and technical staff
•  A global outlook with a clear understanding of the varied mechanisms of Western and African political landscapes
•  Outstanding analytical, interpersonal, and written and oral communication skills
•  Ability to manage competing priorities in a constantly evolving environment

COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE SKILLS

Excellent communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and persuasively.

Fluency in English and/or French is required.

OTHER ATTRIBUTES

•  An understanding of the complexities surrounding collaboration in a global matrix organization
•  Highly organized, analytical, detail oriented and self-motivated
•  Entrepreneurial with a penchant for speed, responsiveness and impact
•  Collaborative approach and strong interpersonal skills
•  Remain positive in high-pressure and stressful situations
•  Takes action and is results-focused
•  Flexible and resourceful
•  Independent problem solver

Application Instructions:

The application deadline is not specified. Therefore qualified and interested candidates can “CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION” It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply successfully for this vacancy.

Website:
Official Job Website: https://www.one.org/us/about/jobs/