Senior Advocacy and Policy Officer

PATH is currently recruiting

a Regional Advocacy and Policy Officer to provide coordination and technical support to regional and global advocacy for Maternal, newborn, child health (MNCH) and immunization, while also offering coordination support to APP’s engagements with internal and external partners on collaborative advocacy and learning initiatives. The selected candidate will work closely with the Global MNCH and Immunization Advocacy Lead to design advocacy strategies, tactics, strengthen coordination and development of global goods toward strengthening advocacy and accountability for MNCH and Immunization at the global and regional level. Additionally, the selected candidate will produce high-quality documentations including concept notes, case studies, and learning papers targeting civil society advocates, policymakers, or decision-makers.

Responsibilities:

Support Project Management

Support the design of advocacy strategies and tactics to advance specific policy changes in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) and immunization at the regional level (Africa). Support technical consultants recruited on a needs-basis to assist the project's work. Support compliance with PATH and donor policies and reporting by ensuring that the APP project operates within budgets and set regulations, regularly monitors, and reports project activities in a timely manner. Support coordination and ensure sustained communication with other members of the APP department, Integrated MNCH, PHC, Immunization teams, and other relevant internal teams, including ensuring linkages across the US, global, and regional levels for MNCH and immunization advocacy. Support staff development through mentorship on policy advocacy.

Partnership Building

Maintain relationships with key government MDAs, including the Ministry of Health at the national level in focus countries, and regional bodies such as the African Union, Africa CDC, to advance PATH’s advocacy priorities. Nurture relationships with likeminded advocacy partners, UN agencies, and key development partners in MNCH and immunization. Oversee the establishment of networks/alliances of advocates to undertake advocacy at the national, regional level to influence prioritization and investment in MNCH and immunization.

Representing PATH at decision tables to influence MNCH

Represent PATH at selected MNCH and immunization decision-making and technical spaces to advance the advocacy agenda in the region.

Evidence and Learning

With support from the communications team, develop high-quality reports, policy updates, briefs, presentations, investment cases, and other materials for various audiences, including donors, policymakers, and PATH leadership. Document project progress, including collecting and reporting monitoring and evaluation data. Lead efforts to gather and generate evidence for policy advocacy as per the advocacy goals and outcomes.

Contributing policy advocacy expertise to the regional and global MNCH and immunization advocacy scope and other PATH programs

Provide technical support to other PATH projects in integrating advocacy into their work and supporting business development.

Business Development

Participate in business development along with other key APP staff, including proposal development to support the growth of the APP department.

Required Skills and Competencies:

Bachelors degree in public health, public policy, international development, communications or related field. A master’s degree is an added advantage Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in public health policy and advocacy related work and capacity building. Strong understanding of the public health sector and global health, particularly related to policy development and implementation, including financing Demonstrated experience developing and implementing policy and advocacy strategies to achieve health-related outcomes in African countries. Experience providing technical assistance to advocacy projects in multiple countries desired Proven success at networking, building relationships and managing partnerships, including with government and coalitions Experience designing, coordinating and conducting workshops and learning events for global health or development that target policymakers, civil society, advocacy partners, academic institutions, regional institutions in the Africa region Demonstrated experience developing and adapting high-quality tools and templates for advocates, such as strategy frameworks, policy and financing analysis tools, and topical briefing materials Ability to conduct analyses, landscaping and synthesize information for use by teams Ability to work across geographies and teams within APP and other teams partnering with the advocacy department. Proven project management skills – including ability to manage short term and urgent projects including events, workshops and documentation, with minimum supervision.  Ability to represent PATH/APP in meetings with internal and external partners whenever that’s required. Understanding of gender issues in global health and gender integration strategies. Self-initiator, able to work in team environment with minimal supervision. Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities, and unpredictable stakeholder expectations. Fluent in written and spoken English. French as additional language a plus. Ability to travel.