Policy and Advocacy Advisor - Readvertisement

Organization Background

JSI is a US-based public health nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high-quality technical and managerial assistance programs throughout the world. In Ethiopia, JSI has been working to improve health outcomes for more than 25 years, implementing more than 60 projects and working in every region. JSI has historically managed a large portfolio of projects focusing on the quality, and equity in access of, RMNCAH services, primary health care (PHC) including community health program, digital health, health information systems (HIS), supply chain management, public health emergency responses, and social and behavior change.

Activity Overview

JSI seeks a seasoned Policy and Advocacy advisor for United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Empowered Community Activity. The goal of USAID Empowered Communities Activity (USAID ECA) is to strengthen community systems and platforms to improve health and nutrition outcomes. USAID ECA aims to address the social, cultural, political, and economic determinants that underpin health, and seeks to build partnerships with other sectors in finding solutions for better health outcomes.

Position Summary

The Policy and Advocacy Advisor is responsible to lead all initiatives and activities related to policy and advocacy in ECA implementation areas. S/he is also responsible to work closely with the government sectors, NSAs/CSOs, and other implementing partners in the development, implementation, and monitoring of Policy and Advocacy strategies, plans, approaches, and tools. S/he is expected to enhance advocacy capacity of NSAs/CSOs for accountability, transparency, and responsiveness of the health system.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee the design, development, implementation and monitoring of ECAs policy and advocacy strategy and plan
• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of ECAs advocacy implementation guide/protocol, tools and training materials. priorities, interventions, and activities
• Coordinate with ECAs technical leads in the design, mainstreaming, and execution of different policy influencing initiatives and advocacy plans across all Intermediate Result areas
• Lead NSAs/CSOs advocacy capacity assessment, identify and prioritize critical advocacy gaps, develop and implement a tailored advocacy capacity development plan
• Enhance advocacy capacity of NSAs and CSOs for accountability, transparency, and responsiveness of the health system based on capacity review outcomes
• Work closely with government bodies and NSAs/CSOs in the implementation and monitoring of policy and advocacy strategy, activities and plans
• Adapt/develop advocacy framework including SMART framework to guide the development of policy and advocacy strategy and plan
• Enhance advocacy and participatory policy dialogue capacity of NSAs/CSOs to identify and facilitate evidence-based policy dialogue on national issues, promote networking and self-regulation within the sector
• Work closely with and support NSAs/CSOs to utilize existing platforms to meet regularly and discuss on the health system accountability, transparency, and responsiveness
• Organize regular dialogue sessions for CSOs and relevant stakeholders and enhance engagement of CSOs/NSAs with strategic partners to advance advocacy capacity
• Provide technical guidance to increase the capability of CSO, community platforms and institutions to identify and analyze advocacy needs, create strategic plans of action, and lead efforts to address them
• Identify and document case studies, success stories, learnings
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Activity

• Advanced degree in health fields, Social Science, communication with training and/or experience related to Policy and Advocacy.
• More than 7 years of demonstrated technical and programmatic experience on policy and advocacy.
• Proven experience on strategy, protocols, manuals and training materials development.
• Familiarity and demonstrated experience with Ethiopian Primary Health Care system including the Community Health Program in Agrarian and pastoralist contexts
• Demonstrated experiences on capacity development of NSAs/CSOs
• Strong communication, interpersonal skills, and writing skills
• Able to promote team work and effort.
• Effective verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Experience of working with local governments, international organizations, other bilateral donor and civil society organizations, and senior level government officials is desired.
• Able to work with minimum supervision.