Advocacy Manager
- Tracking Code
- 6394
- Job Description
- Please provide a cover letter indicating how your skills and experience are well suited for this role.PATH is an international organization that drives transformative innovation to save lives and improve health, especially among women and children. We accelerate innovation across five platforms—vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, devices, and system and service innovations—that harness our entrepreneurial insight, scientific and public health expertise, and passion for health equity. By mobilizing partners around the world, we take innovation to scale, working alongside countries primarily in Africa and Asia to tackle their greatest health needs. Together, we deliver measurable results that disrupt the cycle of poor health.PATH’s Advocacy and Public Policy (APP) department works to improve global health by increasing awareness and support of global health priorities among policymakers, coalitions and other influential individuals and groups. PATH’s APP department is seeking to hire an Advocacy Manager who will oversee an advocacy initiative to advance policy and advocacy goals in the areas of global health research and development (R&D) and regulatory affairs in South Africa. The position will also provide guidance on advocacy initiatives supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Advocacy Partnership Grant in the countries of Kenya, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).The Advocacy Manager will report directly to the PATH Country Director of PATH’s Country Program in South Africa, with an additional reporting line to the Country Advocacy Director based in PATH’s Washington DC office. The Advocacy Manager will be based in Johannesburg, South Africa.Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Oversee the development and implementation of advocacy strategies and corresponding activities to achieve R&D related policy change at the national level in South Africa.
- Oversee the development of work plans and ensure timely submission of project reports and other deliverables on R&D and regulatory advocacy as specified in the advocacy partnership grant.
- Oversee the performance and professional development of mid to senior level policy and advocacy staff in South Africa.
- Lead the development of an overarching advocacy agenda for PATH’s South Africa Country Program.
- Advise on the engagement of advocacy by various projects in PATH’s South Africa Country Program and conduct periodic reviews of the effectiveness of selected strategies and activities in South Africa.
- Develop proposals and mobilize resources in support of expanded policy and advocacy initiatives in South Africa.
- Represent PATH at the national, regional and global levels and with select donors to elevate policy and advocacy goals and contribute to dialogue on the importance of MNCH advocacy and global health R&D and innovation.
- Build partnerships and participate in networks and coalitions with key stakeholders at the regional and global levels to ensure greater alignment of innovation policies and priorities at the global, regional and national levels.
- Advise and provide oversight as needed to senior advocacy staff in Kenya, Zambia, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on the development and implementation of advocacy strategies and corresponding advocacy and policy-related activities to advance project goals on R&D, regulatory affairs, maternal, newborn and child health and immunization.
- Facilitate improved networking, knowledge management, and collaboration among advocacy staff in focus countries, by leading strategic planning retreats and meetings; creating information portals, and documenting and disseminating lessons learned, best practices, and case studies.
- Guide and provide technical assistance to broader PATH programs, partners, and other organizations on the development and implementation of effective advocacy strategies/initiatives or approaches on key health policies and programmatic issues.
- Train PATH staff and partners/umbrella organizations on advocacy strategy development, advocacy messaging and communications, budget and planning processes, and related activities.
- Contribute to the development of advocacy capacity-strengthening tools, curriculum and training for PATH staff and partners.
- Liaise on a regular basis with other PATH programs’ advocacy and communications teams to ensure coordination and identification of synergies.
- Required Skills
- Demonstrated success in grants management, project management and donor reporting, preferably on advocacy projects.
- Demonstrated success in planning and conducting advocacy activities to influence health or development-related policies at the national, regional and global levels.
- Demonstrated ability to develop advocacy strategies and design and implement activities to reach advocacy and policy goals.
- Proven ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with government personnel, NGO partners, and international organizations at various levels.
- Knowledge of the political, social, economic, and cultural context of East and Southern Africa.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate (orally and in writing) complex issues in a concise, compelling, and easily understandable manner.
- Skilled in successfully working with geographically dispersed teams and working in a multi-cultural environment.
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Experience supervising staff and contractors.
- Experience in facilitating meetings and moderating complex discussions with a variety of stakeholders (including national leaders) preferred.
- Fluency in English required; fluency in French desirable.
- Expert computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Required Experience
- Master’s or other advanced degree in public health, social sciences, international development, or related field.A minimum of ten years of professional experience coordinating and managing advocacy projects in African countries in the global health or development sector.Candidates must have legal authorization to work and currently reside in South Africa.The successful must be able to travel internationally and domestically as needed (at 25% of time).PATH is dedicated to diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.
