POLICY AND ADVOCACY OFFICER

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is a premier research-to-policy institution, generating evidence, strengthening research and related capacity in the African research and development ecosystem, and engaging policy to inform action on health and development. The Center is Africa-based and African-led, with its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, and a West Africa Regional Office (WARO), in Dakar, Senegal. APHRC seeks to drive change by developing strong African research leadership and promoting evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) across sub-Saharan Africa.

APHRC has embarked on two five-year research-to-policy projects. APHRC is leading a Health Policy and Research Organization for the Addressing neglected areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights in sub-Saharan Africa (ANeSA) Initiative. It is also implementing policy research and knowledge translation as part of a study to identify modifiable multi-level factors associated with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine uptake in Kenya and Malawi. These two projects aim to generate evidence and facilitate knowledge translation around various sexual reproductive health (SRH) issues in several Africa countries. The projects also aim to enhance SRH and realize the rights of all, including young people and women, in pursuit of the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and development that leaves no one behind.

The APHRC seeks to recruit a Policy and Advocacy Officer to work on the two projects within the Policy Engagement and Communications (PEC) Program. The Officer will report to the Policy and Advocacy Project Manager while working closely with other project team members in PEC and other APHRC units. Externally, the officer will work closely with researchers, ministries of health and civil society organizations, among other relevant stakeholders.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Develop and implement policy, engagement and knowledge translation strategies for the two projects.
• Support and implement policy engagement and communications capacity-strengthening activities for partners.
• Develop knowledge translation products such as evidence briefs, fact sheets, and project profiles, among other publications.
• Support and conduct policy analysis on relevant issues related to SRH thematic areas.
• Lead the dissemination of research findings from the SRH projects with creative and innovative products to harness the public interest.
• Support the production of relevant documentation for use in advocacy and policy initiatives.
• Support compliance with donor requirements such as writing of annual progress reports and updates to the project funder.
• Provide support to the wider Policy Engagement and Communications Program as requested including writing program’s reports and fundraising efforts.

• Coordinate and collate information for the monthly and quarterly updates and ensure timely dissemination of the same.
• In collaboration with APHRC’s Visibility Unit, facilitate engagement with media for profiling of the projects through media pitches.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Communications, Development studies, or related field; a Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• At least five (5) years of post-qualification, increasingly responsible work experience in policy engagement, communication, writing and content creation, public relations and media relations.
• Experience in legal and policy analysis of development initiatives.
• Experience in producing high-quality written work to influence policy outcomes.

• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including communities, NGOs, CSOs, government ministries, and government bodies.
• Excellent communication (written and spoken) skills to absorb complex information and present it to different audiences in a clear and accessible way.

• Good organization skills to track priorities, work to deadlines and manage projects.
• Flexible and adaptable approach in order to respond to shifting priorities and a rapidly evolving external environment.
• The ability and desire to acquire and maintain knowledge of a policy area or areas with a focus on sexual and reproductive health.
• Good interpersonal skills, to work and build relationships with a wide range of people holding different views.
• Good time management and organizational skills.
• Experience and evidence of fundraising work is an added advantage.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their cover letter and CV as one PDF document (add links to any samples of written work on the cover letter) through this LINK by August 23, 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and they will be required to have a Police Clearance Certificate.

Special Notice

APHRC is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process.

Applicants are not required to make any payments to anyone during any stage of the recruitment process.