Advocacy Officer

About You:

We want individuals who support our mission of eliminating unsafe abortion by 2030 and who work with us to build an enabling environment to increase access to safe services everywhere. We expect all team members to share our vision and commitment to achieving our mission whilst promoting equality and safeguarding the welfare of all clients and colleagues.

1.    JOB SUMMARY

Under the immediate supervision of the Area program manager and technical support from SO Senior Advocacy Lead, the Advocacy officer plays a crucial role in enabling the achievement of MSIE’s mission, as well as developing, managing, and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders that are critical to MSIE, particularly with respect to mission, goals and objectives of advancing increased access to family planning and sexual and reproductive health rights and services for vulnerable women and youths in the Region.

1. DUTIES/TASKS

Specific Roles and Responsibilities

Advocacy.

• Provide feedback to MSIE relevant teams on the outcome of stakeholder meetings and consultations.
• Identify regional technical committees and working groups and ensure MSIE is represented at all SRH regional dialogue meetings
• Ensure the implementation of relevant evaluation and reviews to strengthen the project's effectiveness.
• Cultivate, strengthen and nurture constructive and positive relationships with a wide range of political, technical and financial partners, including regional decision-makers, academic institutions, opinion leaders and other partners as champions to advance universal access to contraception and safe abortion.
• Effectively identify and influence relevant debates, opportunities and policy initiatives that can support MSIE’s priorities in eradicating unsafe abortion; increasing access and choice for contraceptives; de-medicalization and task-shifting; results-based financing; and overall contributing to youth-friendly SRH information and services.
• Proactively engage and serve as a key resource to increase awareness of MSIE’s global impact and results with strategic partners and individuals. Support the transfer of knowledge, documentation and dissemination of learning, best practices, case studies and successful strategies in relation to MSIE’s policy engagement.
• Support Gender and social norm change interventions, including dialogues at the community level.
• Monitor policy processes and developments relevant to MSIE

Project and consortium management

• Lead and represent the European commission funded ASRHR project in the impact area
• Collaborate and support the project director in all in-country and regional reporting and meetings
• Develop monthly and quarterly reports on the project progress
• Closely work with the local implementing partner and lead periodic performance review platforms
• Lead stakeholders’ engagement, field assessment and joint supportive supervision
• Prepare reports for project signatories and lead periodic monitoring and mid-term/endline evaluations

New Business Development

• Work with the APM, MSIE’s program and grant unit in the development of concept notes, case stories and proposals
• Regionally map stakeholders and identify areas of collaboration and resource mobilization
• Author concept notes and proposals with input from multiple sources
• Analyze project performance and take proactive action to respond to project needs

3.       PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

A.     Education Qualification:

• University Degree in Health Science, Social Science, or International Development Management; a master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Fluent English both oral and written.
• Knowledge of Clinical Health, Community Outreach, Family Planning, Social Marketing and Social Franchising
• Computer literate, proficient in MS Word, PowerPoint presentation and Excel (essential).

B. Experience / Knowledge (essential/desirable

• At least five years of relevant experience, three of which must be related to Advocacy and Policy work
• Demonstrated record in engaging and influencing senior policymakers, donors and civil society agencies to deliver strategic advocacy outcomes.
• Established and network of relationships with politicians, decision-makers, and international agencies within Ethiopia.
• Experience in the planning of advocacy campaigns and events
• Experience in dealing with press requests
• Experience in working with women and youth network groups
• Good knowledge of the health sector in Ethiopia an important advantage (desirable).
• Excellent communication skills - excellent verbal and written English communication skills and ability to organize and present information in a compelling way.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of both local and government policies.
  
  Skills, Attitudes and Attributes

• A strong supporter of the cause for contraception and a woman’s right to safe abortion.
• Results-driven.
• Motivated and energetic.
• Strong commitment to the goals and vision of MSI and MSIE.
• Passion for service excellence and improving quality
• Strong training skills; able to effectively build capacity.
• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills.
• The highest levels of integrity, and a strong ethical sense.
• Self-managed and able to prioritize and work under pressure.
• Pro-choice

Number of Position: (01)

Duty Station: South Area Program Office

Type of Employment: contract

Salary:  As per MSI Ethiopia Reproductive Choice Salary Scale