ActionAid Head of Policy and Campaigns Job

ActionAid is a global movement of people working together to further human rights and defeat poverty for all.

Head of Policy and Campaigns

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Head of Policy and Campaigns shall be responsible for leading and managing policy research, advocacy and campaigns work at ActionAid International Kenya (AAIK) in line with the stated campaign signature. 

She/he will also support the conceptualization of women’s rights programming in policy and campaigns. 

The holder of the position is a member of Senior Management Team (UAMUZI) and is expected to be part of the organization’s decision making processes and will be part of the policy community globally within ActionAid  International Federation. 

The position is expected to work with the Executive  Director  to manage the international/federation roles and responsibilities delegated to AAIK.

Key responsibilities for this position include;

Lead Policy, Campaign and  Advocacy

• Identification and engagements with key policy issues and key collaborators for AAIK in line with the Country Startegy Paper (CSP) priorities;
• In collaboration with programmes teams in Counties, identify areas of critical concerns needing national engagements and linked to the prioritized campaigns for policy research and advocacy work;
• Develop in-depth organizational knowledge and understanding of relevant policy areas that AAIK is engaged in;
• Promote Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) in advocating for rights of the people living in poverty and exclusion especially women and girls;
• Strength development and maintenance of sound relations with policy, research and advocacy specialists at national regional and international levels.
• Work with the fundraising team to mobilize resources contributing to the 12 Million Pounds target;
• In collaboration with the relevant staff strengthen and deepen women rights programming in policy and women’s rights work.

Linkages at Local National and International Level

• Lead design, development, formulation and management of policy research advocacy and campaigns strategies at national that is linked at local and county level in an iterative way
• Link the national campaigns with the international engagement
• Strengthen establishment and management of relationships with partners and other stakeholders;
• Ensure appropriate representation of AAIK in alliances and networks both nationally and international and in other policy spaces as may be required;
• Represent and Coordinate AAIK’s collaboration with national networks, government agencies and other organizations in order to share influence the policy in the interest of the people living in poverty and exclusion.

Staff Management, Development and Performance Measurement:

• Lead the team through an empowering work culture
• Lead in the development of policy analysis, advocacy and women rights skills for staff involved in policy;
• Undertake performance appraisal for staff in the department and initiation of correction actions for identified gaps;
• Participate in the Finance, Fundraising and Programme board committee meetings 

Appointment to the position will be made from persons who have:

• A relevant Masters degree in social Sciences, policy development or its equivalent from a recognized University;
• Have at least ten (10) years working experience in policy/programmes function in an NGO/INGO or social movement groups or a large organization of which at least five (5) years must have been at senior management position;
• Have demonstrated in-depth understanding of policy, advocacy and campaign issues relevant to the context;
• Proven experience of managing donor funds;
• An understanding of women rights issues in development and demonstrable commitment to promoting women’s rights in policy and campaign work.
• Strong conceptual, analytical, written, presentation and negotiation skills;
• Excellent management, leadership, planning and prioritization skills;
• High degree of integrity, dependability and confidentiality;
• Good interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated;
• High level of IT proficiency in use of MS Word, Excel, Access, Power-point, and e-mail.

To apply, CLICK HERE to submit your application; for any queries, kindly direct the same to hresources.kenya@actionaid.org 

Closing date for applications Friday, October 31, 2014 (All day)

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

ActionAid is an equal opportunities employer. 

Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply