Job Description

Faith to Action Network

Terms of Reference: Advocacy Advisor

Place of Duty: Nairobi, Germany or Belgium (Brussels)

Supervisor: Chief Executive Officer

Job Purpose: Faith to Action Network seeks an Advocacy Advisor to lead its advocacy, communication, partnership building and movement building work, develop and implement its advocacy and communications strategy, and to coordinate and manage several advocacy and communications projects.

Faith to Action Network mobilizes faith organizations’ support for family health and wellbeing. This includes sexual and reproductive health and family planning; gender equality and women’s rights; peaceful coexistence.

This is a full-time position based in Nairobi and the salary is competitive and commensurate with the seniority of the appointment.

Areas of responsibility

The position will be responsible for Faith to Action Network’s advocacy, communication and movement building work, including developing, implementing, monitoring and reporting on its advocacy, communication, partnerships and movement building strategy.

The position will work closely with the Programme Manager for the full project cycle management of several new projects primarily implemented in Eastern Africa, Northern Africa, Middle East and South East Asia.

The position will join the management team and play a full role in the leadership and direction of Faith to Action Network as a whole, ensuring it is able to meet the objectives its strategy and annual plans.

Key tasks

Project Cycle Management

• Manage Faith to Action Network’s advocacy work, including development and implementation of workplans and budgets, regular monitoring and evaluation, technical and financial reporting, while ensuring compliance with donor requirements and regulations;


• Develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation plan including processes and tools adapted to advocacy, communication and capacity strengthening;


• Supervise a small advocacy team;


• Manage and coordinate communication between Faith to Action Network with partners and donors.


• Overall planning and joint coordination of organisational strategic activities with staff members

Financial management:

• Manage organisational finances and coordinate with the programme and including the development, implementation and tracking of advocacy budgets, cash flow plans, and development of reports;


• Submission and preparation of advocacy activities in Faith to Action Network projects


• Develop, supervise and track Faith to Action’s External Relations workplan and budget;

Strategic advocacy and communication

• Support, contribute and oversee development, implementation and monitoring of a global Faith to Action advocacy and communications strategy;


• Support, contribute and oversee conducting of political analyses and monitor policy developments to inform the advocacy strategy;


• Develop regular briefs for Faith to Action Network’s senior management, steering council and membership on emerging issues, trends and developments world-wide in the area of sexual and reproductive health and rights, women and girls’ rights, peaceful coexistence and Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Advocacy:

• Develop and update policy calendars of national, regional and international policy processes related to Faith to Action Network’s strategic areas;


• Initiate and strengthen dialogue with faith organizations to increase their interest for and engagement in Faith to Action Network’s strategic areas;


• Initiate and strengthen dialogue with the United Nations, African Union, regional economic communities, national governments and policy makers in order to increase their interest for and engagement in Faith to Action Network’s strategic areas;


• Spearhead Faith to Action Network’s active participation at relevant meetings and processes; and represent Faith to Action Network during internal and external events, liaise with network members, partners and other stakeholders;


• Design and implement policy analysis, utilising evidence, international policy frameworks and also faith teachings;


• Support, contribute and oversee development of advocacy and communication materials and tools;


• Build capacity of staff, Network members and partners in advocacy;


• Strengthen faith organizations’ capacity in advocating in support of sexual and reproductive health and rights, peaceful coexistence, women and girls’ rights, freedom of religion or belief through regular coaching, coordination of advocacy actions and workshops.

Partnership building & resource mobilisation:

• Liaise with various potential donors and other stakeholders to inform them on Faith to Action Network interventions, establish visibility and identify funding and partnership opportunities.


• Identify and propose potential partners, monitor, analyse and report on donor policies and potential areas of funding

Movement building:

• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of an internal network management strategy to develop a vibrant network. This includes,


• Contributing to networking and experience exchange activities,


• Coordinating internal communication activities to keep members informed and engaged, and also to ensure a flow of information from the members to the secretariat,


• Contributing to strategic recruitment of new members.

General:

• Contribute to strategic review, planning, and development of the organisation as a whole;


• Build and maintain positive relationships with all staff members, project partners, Faith to Action network members and contacts outside the network;


• At different times, support senior management with any other tasks assigned.

Education & Qualifications

Essential

• Master’s level degree in a relevant subject area (e.g. politics, theology, social sciences, law, business management or a related field)

Professional Experience

Essential

• At least six years of relevant management, supervisory, and technical experience working with advocacy and communication programmes related to sexual and reproductive health, women’s rights and gender equality, peaceful coexistence, freedom of religion or belief


• At minimum, experience in working in multiple African and/or Asian countries is required


• Experience in relationship building with key stakeholders.

Desirable

• Understanding of and experience with faith organizations, accompanying them and building their advocacy capacity


• Experience in working in European and American countries is an asset

Skills

Essential

• Fluency in English


• Experience in managing small teams.


• Experience with partner organisations.


• Strong project cycle management experience including planning, monitoring and evaluation, budgeting, financial and technical reporting;


• Very good experience in monitoring and evaluating advocacy and communication outcomes;


• Analytical with strong experience in policy analysis;


• Sound knowledge and exposure to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health, women’s rights and gender equality, as well as peaceful coexistence, freedom of religion or belief issues


• Experience in interfaith advocacy on sexual and reproductive health, women’s rights and gender equality, as well as peaceful coexistence / pluralism issues


• Working knowledge of national, regional and continental government structures and multi-lateral institutions in Africa, Asia, Europe and USA.


• Experience in developing political briefs and advocacy tools, as well as diverse communication materials


• Experience in rolling out communication strategies, using both social media and traditional media.


• Experience in managing and growing networks


• Outstanding written skills;


• Extremely persuasive oral and written communication skills;


• Effective report writing and presentation skills for a variety of audiences;


• Tactful and diplomatic with strong influencing and negotiating skills;


• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office including word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and email software skills.

Desirable

• Fluency in Arabic is an asset


• Fluency in French is an asset


• Expertise in evidence-based advocacy, deriving advocacy asks from research insights and knowledge;


• Expertise in developing theological materials in support of sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender and women’s rights issues, peaceful coexistence, freedom of religion or belief

Personal Competencies

• Ability to function with strategic rather than day-to-day supervision


• Ability to take initiative and responsibility for your work;


• An openness to new experiences, an enquiring approach to what you know already and an eagerness to learn more;


• Organisational skills – of yourself and of others


• Flexibility to work both in a team and independently;


• Proven inter-cultural competencies with strong experience in working with stakeholders from highly diverse contexts


• Excellent interpersonal skills to maintain and develop positive relationships;


• Cultural sensitivity, patience and flexibility;


• Capacity for honest reflective self-appraisal;


• Optimism, cheerfulness and an interest in other people.

Other

• Readiness to work irregular hours on occasions, without a permanent office


• Ability and willingness to travel nationally and internationally as required, up to 50%.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications (CV and cover letter) to HR@faithtoactionetwork.org.

Applications should include a full curriculum vitae (including comprehensive details of key achievements and responsibilities, a list of references and current salary) along with a covering letter addressing the job description, academic and professional qualifications and indicating motivation for the role.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Faith to Action Network is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural and religious diversity.

Candidates from all sections of the community are welcome to apply.

Candidates must have the right to work in Kenya. This requirement will apply to all applicants irrespective of their nationality.

Faith to Action Network is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and post holders to share this commitment.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Faith to Action Network is committed to equal opportunities and cultural and religious diversity.

Candidates from all sections of the community are welcome to apply.

Faith to Action Network is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and post holders to share this commitment.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

The deadline for applications is 6th September 2021.

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