Team Leader, Advocacy and Engagement - GLAD 4

ABOUT THE COMPANY

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for better and more sustainable use of livestock. ILRI is a CGIAR research centre – part of a global research partnership for a food-secure future.

JOB SUMMARY

QualificationsMaster’s degree in public policy, development studies, agricultural economics, political science, communications or related field.Proven experience (10+ years) in leading international, regional and national advocacy and external engagement initiatives.Proven experience (10+ years) leading advocacy and engagement at all levels and with different stakeholders including government, civil society and private sectorExperiences working with African regional institutions such as AU-IBAR, PANVAC, AU, etcDemonstrated ability to influence policy and investment decisions within the livestock, agriculture, or food systems sectors.Strong track record building and managing strategic partnerships and alliances with diverse stakeholders, including governments, donors, NGOs, research institutions and private sector actors.Project management skills, delegating responsibilities effectively, ensuring clear roles and accountability and aligning communication initiatives with institutional priorities.Ability to build social capital with partners and within ILRI and work with multiple teams.Experience in project monitoring, evaluation and learningWell-versed in using different communication, multi-media approaches and techniques, with a clear focus on targeting stakeholders effectively and achieving measurable impact.Commitment to excellence, ensuring high quality outputs under tight deadlines.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Relationship building and strategic partnershipsRapidly map stakeholder landscapes in focal countries and identify strategic entry points through ILRI colleagues, partners and existing networks.Build and sustain high-trust relationships with government officials, private sector actors, cooperatives and civil society across diverse country contexts.Identify, cultivate and manage relationships with private sector delivery partners.Leverage partner relationships as bridges to new stakeholders, using collaborative approaches to expand engagement.Coordinate with cooperative leadership and/or county/local governments to design and roll out scalable delivery models.Project management and reportingManage activity scheduling, budgeting, and financial trackingManage project consultants working with the local level actorsPrepare periodic activity reports, progress updates, and risk assessments.Manage contracts and deliverables for national partners and consultants.Ensure timely organization of workshops, consultations, high-level meetings and missions.Work closely with the MEL specialist to ensure that influence–engage–inform indicators are tracked.Stakeholder Engagement, Facilitation & Political Economy Work Support the establishment and operationalization of the different types of stakeholder platforms and facilitate stakeholder consultations to diagnose regulatory, institutional and delivery bottlenecks.Support design and delivery of targeted communications and advocacy materials, communications campaigns and community-level engagement around the different componentsMonitor political economy dynamics and provide real-time strategic intelligence for adaptive implementation.Ensure the process is inclusive and attentive to gender, youth and marginalized groups.Monitor dynamics to address misinformation and disinformation and more broadlySupport linkages to regional and global agendasSupport the management of the ILRI Advocacy and Investment HubIdentify ways to frame and position project outcomes for global and regional processesTrack risks, misinformation trends, emerging policy issues in for global partners to pre-emptively address.Provide technical advice and support to ILRI projects and programs around advocacy and engagementDocument project learning, outcomes and impacts to regional and global processes

REQUIRED SKILLS

Reporting, Team leadership, Stakeholder communication, Programme management

REQUIRED EDUCATION

Post-graduate education