Full-Time Helen Keller International Recruits Regional Advocacy Advisor – West Africa

Job Description

Helen Keller International
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Regional Advocacy Advisor
West Africa

Established in 1915 with Helen Keller as a founding trustee, Helen Keller International (HKI) works to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Headquartered in New York City, HKI currently conducts programs in 21 countries in Africa and Asia as well as in the United States. HKI is known for sustainability, reliability, efficiency and the highest level of technical expertise in fighting and treating blindness and malnutrition. To accomplish its work, HKI builds the capacity of local governmental, civil society and private sector systems and infrastructure, and promotes the development of sustained, large-scale programs that deliver effective preventative and curative services for nutrition, eye health and neglected tropical diseases. The hallmark of the organization’s work is its proven effectiveness in developing, testing and scaling-up health interventions, and integrating them within government and community structures. HKI is initiating program activities in Kenya and intends to build the program incrementally from a strong program base.

Helen Keller International (HKI) is implementing the Reaching Agents of Change (RAC) Project funded by the Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation. The project’s intention is to promote the consumption of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP),which is high in pro-vitamin A carotenoids, as a food-based approach to address Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD). The RAC project has two principal components – advocacy for policy change and increased investment in OFSP programming and building capacity with the goal of up-scaling OFSP in five countries (Tanzania, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana and Burkina Faso) as well as at regional level.

HKI is responsible to lead advocacy efforts in support of OFSP at country level, intensively in Tanzania, Mozambique and Nigeria and less intensively in Ghana and Burkina Faso. HKI will also carry out advocacy efforts to target policy makers in higher-level bodies such as the African Union, NEPAD, FARA, ECOWAS, COMESA, SADC, ASARECA and CORAF for the inclusion of OFSP as an integral part of strategies to combat VAD and food insecurity in SSA and, where appropriate, as an important potential source of incomes for smallholder farmers.

HKI is seeking a regional advocacy adviser for the RAC Project. It is expected that the position will be based in West Africa.

Responsibilities

Analyze the position and agendas of key regional and sub-regional African organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with regard to nutrition, food security and food based approaches to combating Vitamin A deficiency(VAD)
Develop an advocacy strategy for including food-based approaches for combating VAD, with emphasis on OFSP in the agendas of regional and sub-regional organizations in Eastern, West and Southern Africa
Advocate for the inclusion of OFSP as an integral part of strategies to combat Vitamin A deficiency and food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa in regional and sub-regional organizations by participating in meetings with key high-level decision makers and donors, giving speeches and presentations at high level events and fora related to agricultural development, health and nutrition
Identify, coordinate and backstop part-time African OFSP champions in 3 sub-regions in carrying out advocacy for inclusion of food-based approaches for combating VAD
Undertake stakeholder consultations at sub-regional and regional levels
Organize events and activities to advocate for the inclusion of OFSP among high level policy and decision makers
Lead the formation of a regional platform to bring together OFSP advocates across Africa and coordinate its activities
Develop materials for use in advocating for OFSP in regional and sub-regional events
Carry out stakeholder consultations and assess the needs and opportunities for OFSP advocacy and investment in Ghana and Burkina Faso
Liaise with key government actors, donors and implementing agencies in Ghana and Burkina Faso and provide support in elaboration of strong OFSP project proposals

Qualifications

MA/MSc/PhD in Political Science, Nutrition, Agriculture or other relevant disciplines
Five years experience at senior level with a regional or sub-regional organization in SSA andan in-depth experience-based knowledge of how regional organizations in SSA operate
Excellent skills in networking and extensive regional contacts in the areas of food security and nutrition in SSA;
Strong written and verbal communication skills to motivate, influence and negotiate with senior policy makers
Excellent analytical, strategic and critical thinking ability
Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to interact effectively with and influence senior policy makers
Proven experience with lobbying and advocacy, preferably in the area of nutrition
Track record of high performance and ability to deliver in high pressure environments
Proven experience in working with teams in regional projects
Computer literate with MS Operating Systems and MS Office Applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).
Fluency in English; fluency in French highly desirable

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit: (1) cover letter; (2) current curriculum vitae in English; and (3) a short writing sample (2-3 pages) in English tohkihr@hki.org . Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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Job Categories: Jobs in Africa. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: Helen Keller and Helen Keller Int.