Country Manager Advocacy and Influencing Job Placement – Plan International
Job Title: Country Manager Advocacy and Influencing
Organization: Plan International
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
Reports to: Head of Programmes
About US:
Plan International was founded over 75 years ago and it is one of the oldest and largest children’s development organizations (non-profit / INGOs) in the world. We work in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty. Plan’s vision is of a world in which all children realize their full potential in societies that respect people’s rights and dignity. Plan is independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations.
Job Summary: The Country Manager Advocacy and Influencing will primarily be responsible for leading the implementation of Plan International Uganda Advocacy Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Implementation Plan by taking an integrated approach to policy change and influencing with a strong link to campaigning and communications. The position ensures excellence in Plan International Uganda’s public and private advocacy in full alignment with the Country Strategy and Plan Global Programme Strategy. The incumbent works with National Programme Managers, Project Managers and Coordinators to develop key advocacy messages, defining effective tactics and strategic partnerships, leveraging our influencing strength to mobilise support and raise awareness in Uganda and also externally with donors and the whole Plan International’s federation. This position is part of the Country Programme Team and partners to align project activities to national advocacy demands, ensuring that advocacy is research and evidence based. S/he advices CMT on developing position papers and establishing strategic partnerships.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership:
- Leads and manages the design and implementation of the Advocacy Strategy in coordination with staff and partners, by taking an integrated approach to policy change and influencing. Reviews and updates the Advocacy Strategy and the SDG Influencing Plan as appropriate in response to the evolving context and programme design.
- In charge of building strong linkages between Advocacy, Communications and Programmes so that advocacy is evidence based and programme driven and that projects are enhanced through advocacy.
- Guide the Country Management Team on key advocacy issues, such as developing position papers, managing potential communication risks and leading on a range of cross-organisational priorities and strategies.
- Formulate relationships, systems and pathways to ensure that our advocacy work is well integrated into the organisation at all levels so that we can fully realise our potential for campaigning, quality learning and impact reporting.
- Build strategic partnerships with organisations and key stakeholders that will assist Plan International in meeting its policy agenda outcomes.
Advocacy and Influence:
- Develops and responsible for implementing the Advocacy Strategy and the SDG Influencing Plan in coordination with the Programme team at Country Office and Programme Units and partners, as well as engaging Plan International wider federation.
- Ensure strategic plans and stakeholder engagement is implemented whilst developing relationships to increase Plan International’s profile amongst target, influential audiences and reach policy makers.
- Responsible for ensuring that Plan International is always well informed of changes in the policy landscape through regular intel gathering, liaising with key UN, Government, NGOs and other interlocutors in the country so that Programmes are fully informed and addressing policy gaps.
- Defines key advocacy opportunities, targets and tactics at district and national levels and align programme and project design to these targets.
- Takes lead in the development of advocacy plans with objectives and operational plans to deliver Plan International Uganda’s strategies.
- Work in partnership with the Communications Manager to ensure advocacy engagement is accurately reflected in external communications and that advocacy messages are adapted and communicated to various stakeholders.
Research, Policy Development and UN reporting:
- Leads the development of clear and consistent advocacy messages, ensuring that all advocacy messages, documents and strategies are evidence-based, drawn from field experience and assessments.
- Leads the development of high quality analysis, policy briefing, recommendations and positions relation to Plan International Uganda’s advocacy and policy priorities.
- Working in liaison with the MER Manager and Programme team, identifies research opportunities to strengthen Plan International Uganda’s influencing work and ensure that it’s evidence based.
- Leads the proactive involvement of Plan International Uganda in key UN human rights mechanisms processes, especially on CRC and CEDAW.
- Engages with UN agencies and key human rights stakeholders on strategic partnerships and close working relations to ensure Plan International Uganda’s active involvement.
Staff Support, Mentorship, and Development :
- Provides high quality line management and development for talented staff, building a strong team and embedding robust planning, implementation reporting and evaluation processes into our advocacy and influencing work. Manages consultants when required.
- Assists the Advocacy team; defines expectations, provides leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly.
- Responsible for ensuring that the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff is appropriate and that staff are availed appropriate professional development opportunities for staff.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The ideal candidate for the Plan International Country Manager Advocacy and Influencing job opportunity should hold a Bachelor’s degree in Law, International Relations, Political Science, Social Sciences. Masters in Human Rights desired.
- A minimum of five years of professional experience working to influence human rights laws, policies and institutions, preferably with NGOs, intergovernmental organisation or governments.
- Previous exposure and experience of influencing and advocacy work including lobbying, policy development and information provision in humanitarian issues.
- Experience in networking and coordination, planning and implementing campaigns and events that drive influence and stakeholder engagement.
- Excellent skills in advocating towards government officials and understanding of UN and donor operations at country level, including UN human rights reporting mechanisms.
- Proven experience to develop and implement advocacy strategies.
- Demonstrable leadership within a networked environment.
- Excellent communication and writing skills with the ability to translate complex issues into a level appropriate for the general population and policy makers.
- Highly analytical, negotiation and problem solving skills.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing with a variety of audiences, including community advocates, service providers, members of the public and local officials
- Excellent planning, management and coordination skills with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities.
- Excellent representation and interpersonal skills and the ability to work with people from diverse cultures, ability to lead and motivate people to work in teams.
- Partnership building and management, working through partners.
- Skilled in the use of computer software.
- Skills in working with children and facilitating child participation is desired
Behavioural Competencies:
Strive for lasting impact:
- Shows commitment and understanding to always act in the best interest of the child and respect to human rights.
- Promotes a culture of learning and sharing.
- Demonstrates a high degree of confidentiality.
Open and Accountable:
- Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Plan International values, striving for lasting impact
- Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity, capacity to include and empower others.
Works Well Together:
- Comfortable working with others, as part of a team or as a team leader. Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters; approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
- Values diversity and sees it as a source of competitive strength.
- Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
- Thinks strategically, reflects about achievements and recognises people’s contribution.
Inclusive and Empowering: Demonstrates commitment to working with vulnerable children and promoting equality for girls
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified candidates should send their letters of application, together with updated CVs, contact telephone numbers, copies of relevant certificates, names and contact details of three references plus salary history and send to:
Country Human Resources and Organizational Development Manager,
Plan Uganda
Email to: uganda.recruitment@plan-international.org
Deadline: 21st July 2017
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