Kenya: Director of Policy, Research, Advocacy and Campaigns (based in Johannesburg, Nairobi or London)

Director of Policy, Research, Advocacy and Campaigns (based in Johannesburg, Nairobi or London) | ReliefWeb Skip to main content Labs Blog Mobile About Us Help LoginRegister HomeUpdatesCountriesDisastersTopicsOrganizationsJobsTraining Print10 Oct 2014Director of Policy, Research, Advocacy and Campaigns (based in Johannesburg, Nairobi or London)JobfromActionAid—Closing date: 18 Oct 2014Location: Johannesburg, Nairobi or London.Contract type: AAI Grade G – Entry £81,857p/aReference: AAI-ILT-PRACABOUT THE ROLE

The purpose of this role is to enhance the ability of ActionAid (AAI) to bring about policy change at local, national and international levels by promoting sound policy research; advancing and delivering AAI’s campaign signature; coordinating global advocacy initiatives; and contributing to the integration of policy, programs and campaigns.

Direct ReportsHead of CampaignsHead of PolicyAdvocacy and ResearchTeam AdministratorKEY ACTIVITIESPeople Leadership and ManagementAs a member of the International Leadership Team (ILT); act as a key change agent, reinforce AAI’s mission, vision and values and make informed decisions.Lead and manage the Policy, Research, Advocacy and Campaigns (PRAC) Directorate within a clear performance management framework, promoting a culture of high performance; continuous improvement; positive communication and teamwork.Ensure good management at all levels within the PRAC Directorate.Interpret and apply all AAI’s HR policies consistently and effectively, ensuring that all staff are aware of and comply with these policies.Strategy, Planning and BudgetsAs a member of the ILT, participate in the development of AAI’s international strategy.Ensure a full understanding of AAI’s strategy and objectives, and in that context, lead the design, implementation and management of the PRAC Directorate and project plans, engaging staff and other stakeholders in the process.Monitor, assess and respond as necessary to changes in the external environment, ensuring that these changes are reflected in the PRAC’s Directorate’s strategy and project plans.Be accountable for the budget of the entire PRAC Directorate, including the development of the budget.CampaignsLead and advance AAI’s campaign signature;Lead the co-ordination of AAI’s multi-country campaigns;Set standards for campaign planning;Provide advice, mentoring and feedback to country-led campaigns;Lead the production of common campaign communication assets;Promote new methods of campaigning and mobilisation.Policy, Research and AdvocacyLead policy research and content analysis, promoting AAI’s enhanced human rights based approach;Ensure effective and focused global advocacy initiatives, with clear influence objectives, alliance building, coherence and clarity as well as integration with countries and other IS units;Develop public policy positions, including production and sign off to ensure consistency and quality assurance;Co-ordinate the policy analysis and research for multi-country international campaigns or programmes.External Representation and Alliance BuildingCo-ordinate AAI representation at the international level and build relationships with social movements and other key allies to share best practice and learning.Foster external networks of expertise and create knowledge hubs or centres that connect internal and external research and policy.Ensure clear global alliance strategies and lead in their implementation.Capacity DevelopmentBuild the capacity of PRAC and leverage skills at country level to deliver policy, research, advocacy and campaigns.YouthLead the development and implementation of a youth strategy;Integrate youth and activists within campaigning;Increase and ensure greater coherence on the federation’s youth work;Better integrate youth work within policy, advocacy, research and campaigns and promote the mobilisation of poor youth.Financial ManagementResponsible for managing delegated budget responsibility for resources within approved limits.;Responsible for preparing activity-based budgets and monitoring actual monthly spend against these budgets, including providing relevant accruals and explanations of variances;Responsible for approving all transactions (including amendments) to their budget;Act within the parameters set by the international secretariat financial policies and procedures.OtherValue Practice: Demonstrate a strong commitment to develop, promote and practice AAI’s vision, mission, values and strategy;Women's Leadership and Gender: Act upon a commitment to gender issues with a strong focus on women's leadership;Collaboration: promote and use cross-functional learning; participate (where applicable) in international platforms and cross-functional project initiatives within AAI.Accountability: Promote, practice and contribute to the continuous improvement of transparency and accountability in the federation in line with the AAI Accountability Charter.Provide support to the committee of the international board;Carry out any other duties that are within the scope of the job.PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONSEducation, Language & QualificationsMaster’s Degree with significant experience working in policy, research, campaigns and advocacy.Good command of the English language both verbal and written.Essential Knowledge, Skills and ExperienceA high-achieving, strategic, experienced and dynamic professional with a proven ability to develop a clear strategy for the PRAC Directorate.Proven experience managing and leading a large diversified team, with a focus on high performance and problem solving.A proven track record of facilitative, collaborative team management to drive a culture of accountability, and ownership along with a natural ability to network and build successful and lasting relationships.Proven track record of leading processes that resulted in, or contributed to policy changes at an international level.Outstanding communication skills across various cultures.A commercial acumen with expertise in budgeting, strategy and planning and a flair for innovation.Commitment to AAI’s vision, mission and values.Desirable Knowledge, Skills and ExperienceExperience working at an international leadership level, including working with boards.Competency ProfileStrategic Perspective: Demonstrates understanding of the organisation’s priorities and goals and effectively analyse complex problems.:Change Management: Uses effective strategies to facilitate organisation change initiatives and overcome resistance to change by involving others, listening and building commitment;Decisiveness: Prefers quick and appropriate actions in many management situations;Leading Employees:Attracts, motivates, and develops employees;Building Collaborative Relationships: Builds productive working relationships with co-workers and external parties, whilst valuing people of different backgrounds, cultures and demographics;Communication: Expresses ideas clearly and concisely and disseminates information about decisions and plans;Leading with Purpose: Has personal direction and is not easily side tracked by details or workload;Credibility: Acts in accordance with stated values; follows through on promises; uses ethical considerations to guide decisions and actions;Taking Initiative: Takes charge and capitalizes on opportunities.How to apply:

Applications must be addressed to Mission Talent via email to applications@missiontalent.com stating AAI-ILT-PRAC/+your surname in the subject line.

To apply for this role, kindly attach your CV (in English) and a motivational letter(of 350 words or fewer) which summarizes how your profile aligns with the key requirements, skills and abilities of this role. Kindly send these to us as word files only.

After submitting your application you will receive an automatic confirmation. If you do not receive this (kindly check your spam folder as well), please contact Mission Talent via applications@missiontalent.com .

Thank you in advance for your interest in this position. Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted by Mission Talent for follow-up.

Short-listed candidates will be interviewed by Mission Talent on 20/21 October. Interviews with ActionAid International will take place 27/28 October.

Job ID: #698936 Training categories: Management Country: KenyaSouth AfricaUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland City: Negotiable Organization: ActionAid Theme: GenderProtection and Human Rights Job years of experience: 10+ years Job type: Job

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