Vacancy title:
Policy and Advocacy Officer
Jobs at:
WaterAidDeadline of this Job:
Thursday, October 05 2023
Summary
Date Posted: Monday, September 25 2023, Base Salary: Not Disclosed
JOB DETAILS:
Job Purpose
As a member of the senior management team, you will play a major role in ensuring that WaterAid’s policy positions have relevance for and are rooted in WaterAid Uganda’s experience, robust research evidence, policy analysis and knowledge management. You will be responsible for the national and sub-national policy-advocacy agenda within the context of WaterAid Uganda Strategy 2023-2028.
Along with the team, you will manage operational and sustained engagement with the stakeholders (public-private) including government representatives, policy makers, sector actors, civil society, academician, donors, partners, communities that promotes WASH in public health and climate resilient WASH.
Along side the Country Director you will play a significant role in representing WaterAid, its work and public policy positions to high-profile, informed and critical external audiences.
Main Responsibilities and Duties
• Lead and support learning and skills development activities within the directorate, including knowledge sharing on WASH advocacy and identifying opportunities and platforms where colleagues in WaterAid Uganda can share experiences and lead working groups.
• Lead on Public Health and Climate Resilience WASH Policy and Advocacy funding opportunities both within and beyond the country programme.
• Line management of Communication for Development Officer; and Policy and Advoacy Officer, Reseach and Knowldghe Management Officer to ensure delivary of depatrtment mandate
Policy, Research and Knowledge management
• Provide robust analysis for identification of the key bottlenecks to achieving universal access for WASH and provide support to strengthen the case for prioritisation of the WASH sector with key policy and advocacy targets.
• Lead and manage a team working on policy, communications, research and advocacy.
• In collaboration with CP, regional and global colleagues support the development of a robust national vision for how to achieve universal WASH in Uganda, underpinned by analysis of key bottlenecks that is holding back progress for universal access to WASH
• Provide leadership in mainstreaming influencing through policy implementation; adequate, predictable, and sustainable WASH financing; enhanced government stewardship, transparency, and accountability; and an engaged and informed civil society prepared to advocate for improved systems and outcomes.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the wider social, political and economic contexts and also the key sector issues and best practice to ensure that the Country Programme stays at the forefront of national development policy debates. This will involve contributing to and learning from discussions around enablers and barriers to WASH service delivery choices and policies.
• Monitor the implementation of policies and evaluate their impact on public health and climate change mitigation. Collect and analyze data to support evidence-based advocacy efforts, ensuring accurate and timely reporting. Identify opportunities for policy improvements based on evaluation findings.
• Identify priorities for CP research to strengthen the evidence base of key policies for achieving universal access.
• Lead the identification and consolidation of programme knowledge needs for all WAU Programme Focus Areas and its partners, coordinate the generation, package, storage and access to knowledge
Advocacy, Networking & Influencing:
• Develop and strengthen partnerships, networks, alliances with academia and research institutions, media, civil society allies, government counterparts, community, religious leaders and others, within and beyond the WASH sector in order to achieve common influencing objectives. Represent WaterAid Uganda in relevant forums and platforms, effectively communicating its advocacy agenda for sustainable WASH practices. • Maintain effective relationships with the Uganda parliamentary forum, Mayor’s forum, other policy makers and leadership within MDA’s related to Public Health, Climate Change and WASH. Continuously raise awareness and support for increased financing for public health and climate resilience WASH financing.
• Provide leadership to ensure WaterAid Uganda has a strong external voice in WASH, including direct involvement in high-priority national, regional and international, conferences, forums and virtual meetings to share knowledge and exchange ideas with the wider community. Raise the profile of WaterAid Uganda through a positive, proactive and strategic approach to brand building; Act as a spokesperson in the media
• Develop compelling communication materials, including reports, policy briefs, publications and presentations, to effectively communicate policy recommendations and advocacy outcomes. Engage and mobilize the public, media, and influencers through various communication channels to raise awareness and support for WaterAid Uganda’s Advocacy and policy agenda.
Safeguarding & Safety & Security
• Ensure that Safeguarding, Child Protection, and Gender Equality policies are fully embedded in project design and implementation as well as relationships with all actors Ensure that comprehensive health, safety and security measures (e.g. risk management plans, local security protocols) have been put in place when designing policy and advocacy programmes / project and are consistently upheld during their implementation.
Key Competences, Skills, experience, and Knowledge
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential:
• Master’s Degree in International Development, Human Rights, Sociology, Public Policy or Political Science or any other related in the Policy and Advocacy discipline.
• A minimum of 10 years of working experience, 5 years within the development sector in policy development, public policy, advocacy, political science, or related fields, preferably within the WASH, public health, or climate change, inter sectors.
• Minimum seven years of hands-on experience at a senior management level.
• Minimum seven years demonstrated supervisory experience of multi skilled team
• Demonstrated experience in developing and successfully implementing advocacy campaigns or strategies on a national, regional, or global level.
• Demonstrable experience in building, leading and managing teams, fostering a high performing culture where collaboration and high levels of communication, empowerment of others and feedback are valued.
• Excellent understanding of public policy-making and legislative processes with an indepth knowledge of National and regional policies related to WASH, public health and climate change. Understanding of critical blockages to WASH in Uganda.
• Excellent research and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex information into actionable policy recommendations.
• Proven experience in program management, including strategic planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of effectively conveying ideas to diverse audiences.
• Proven experience in building partnerships and engaging with stakeholders at various levels.
• Demonstrated expertise and skills of planning, budgeting and taking appropriate remedial in critical situation.
• Track record of gender sensitive advocacy approaches and use of right based approach to development.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
• An in-depth understanding of national and international development issues, including actors, development politics and social movements in Uganda and East Africa Region.
Desirable:
• Professional skills in preparation of research reports, policy design and interpretation.
• Having a good number of publications of articles in the recognized journals is preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of climate change adaptation and mitigation to WASH intersection.
• Experience with gender equality and climate change
Behavioral competencies
• Proven expertise of persuading and inspiring conversation and negotiation.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative partnerships and alliances for influencing government policy and programme delivery.
• Commitment and modeling WaterAid’s values, on Accountability, Integrity, Respect Collaboration, Courage, and Innovation
• Skill of team building, coaching, mentoring, problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and to contribute strategically.
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 120
Level of Education: Postgraduate Degree
Job application procedure
If you are interested in the positions above and have the right skills and attributes, please access the links attached to each vacancy position for more details on the job application pack (Job Description and job application form).
Fill in the job application form and send together with a cover letter to waurecruitments@waterald.org stating The Title of the Position in the subject line by 5th October 2023
WaterAid is committed to ensuring that wherever we work in the world there is no tolerance for the abuse of power, privilege or trust. WaterAid reinforces a culture of zero tolerance towards any form of inappropriate behavior, abuse, harassment, or exploitation of any kind. The safeguarding of our beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf, is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously.
All staff and volunteers are required to share in this commitment through our Global Code of Conduct. We will conduct the most appropriate preemployment references and checks to ensure high standards are maintained.
WaterAid is an equal opportunity, disability and gender confident employer and committed to achieving the highest standards of diversity, fairness and equality.
Only candidates shortlisted for interviewing will be contacted.
No recruitment agencies please.
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