Head of Advocacy and External Relations Job in Kenya

Faith to Action Network

Job Vacancy: Head of Advocacy and External Relations

Place of Duty: Nairobi / Remote Based with Frequent local and international travel

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

Supervisory responsibility

·  Communications Lead

·  Movement Building Advisor

·  Advocacy Leads

Start date: February 15th 2023

Deadline for submission: January 12th, 2023

Background and context: Faith to Action Network is a global interfaith network of more than 100 Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Confucian, Hindu and Muslim faith organizations; we focus on issues that faith actors are grappling with, including sexual and reproductive health and family planning; gender equality and women’s rights; pluralism and understanding.

We combine innovative, evidence- and faith-backed community-based programming with national, regional and international dialogue and advocacy to influence change at all levels.

The External Relations Department

Faith to Action Network’s external relations department is responsible for offering leadership in developing and maintaining positive relations with external stakeholders, including faith organizations (including member institutions), policy makers and power holders, donors and the general public.

In particular, the department is responsible for advocacy, communications and movement building work.

The head of department is accountable for ensuring the development and implementation of the external relations strategy (advocacy, communication and movement building); managing a strong network, creating civic spaces for and amplifying faith organizations’ role and voices; influencing policy development processes; positioning Faith to Action Network as a thought leader in organizational strategic areas showcasing its impact; establishing Faith to Action Network’s public image.

The unit collaborates with the programmes department in defining the advocacy and communication agenda; and works closely with the CEO to represent the network externally.

The Head of External relations and Advocacy is also a member of the SMT and participates in organizational management; and works closely with the CEO to represent Faith to Action Network externally.

External relations are carried out in close partnership with Faith to Action Network’s 110 members, in more than 24 countries across the world.

KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

External Relations, Partnerships and engagement strategy

·  Accountable and responsible for overall development and execution of coherent departmental strategy, that combines the following strategic components (a) stakeholders’ identification and engagement framework (institutions, processes, events); (b) Advocacy; (c) Communications; (d) Movement building;

·  Overseeing and managing the F2AN membership and partnership strategy.

·  Leads Faith to Action Network’s participation in global advocacy alliances and partnerships; and takes operational responsibility in managing, monitoring and reporting assigned working groups;

·  Responsible for operationalizing Faith to Action Network’s hub architecture, comprised of country- and regional hubs (working groups of network members and partners).

·  Leading the development of F2AN communications and stakeholder engagement plan in cooperation with the Advocacy and Programmes team.

·  Overseeing the implementation of the communications and stakeholder engagement plan

·  Represents Faith to Action Network externally at strategic events;

·  Ensures M&E systems are in place to monitor, document and report on advocacy, communication and movement building work;

·  Lead the planning and execution of communications activities, leveraging media, events, and most especially effective storytelling to increase the organization’s share of voice and influence.

·  Spearhead an active role for Faith to Action Network in preparation for international events used to advocate our interventions

·  Undertake, in partnership with the relevant staff and stakeholders, regional external relations initiatives deemed priority for Faith to Action Network – this includes representation as well as maximizing regional partnerships (such as with AU, regional economic communities or UN bodies)

·  Facilitate, oversee and ensure the effectiveness of interactions between the External Relations unit and other departments in the organization

Quality assurance

·  Editorial control of all advocacy and communication products, including annual organizational reports, website, newsletters, social media channels etc.

·  Establish and maintain quality standards, in all oral, audio-visual and written advocacy and communication products and channels;

·  Prepare and monitor expenditure of the External relations and Advocacy budget and ensure value for money

Faith Advocacy Strategy Development and Execution

·  Propose and develop strategic objectives for Faith advocacy and an action plan with timelines and consideration of the stakeholder mapping and in consultation with programme team.

·  Initiate, maintain contacts and strengthen intra and interfaith dialogues within faith organizations;

·  Develop faith-oriented advocacy materials and tools;

Resource Mobilization

·  Pro-actively create and manage donor relations to attract funding for Faith to Action Network;

·  Contribute to proposal development;

Academic Qualifications & Experience

·  Master’s degree in social sciences, development studies, project management or related field.

·  Project Management skills including Monitoring and Evaluation

·  15 years’ experience in a role that involves advocacy and External relations with excellent knowledge of advocacy cycle and application of advocacy tools; in an international and intercultural context.

·  Experience in research and policy analysis, data collection, analysis, and interpretation, writing and production of reports, policy briefs and publications;

·  Demonstrable experience developing advocacy strategies for faith-based organizations;

·  Experience working on human/women’s rights, reproductive rights and/or in the social justice sector with demonstrable expertise in advocacy and/or representation and influence at high policy levels;

·  Proven experience in people management., including distance management

·  Experience in high profile representation.

·  Proven ability to support coordination of complex international advocacy and communications interventions, with experience in interfaith context.

·  Strong writing and editorial skills in English,

·  Proven and demonstrable experience in high level writing, documentation and information packaging

·  Fluency in Written and spoken English is mandatory, fluency in French is a distinct advantage

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications (CV and cover letter) to HR@faithtoactionetwork.org by January 12th, 2023.

Applications should include a full curriculum vita (including comprehensive details of key achievements and responsibilities, a list of references and current salary) along with a covering letter addressing the job description, academic and professional qualifications and indicating motivation for the role.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Faith to Action Network is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural and religious diversity.

As part of implementing our diversity and inclusion policy, This position is also open to non – Kenyan