CAC Advocacy Coordinator

Ipas is a non-profit making organization working to improve women’s lives by focusing on improving access to information and services to basic sexual and reproductive health across the globe. Since the year 2000, Ipas Ethiopia has been collaborating with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and various local and international partners to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity resulting from unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion. 

In light of the need to strengthen our relationship with stakeholders and expedite program implementation, we are planning to hire the following position:-

Position Purpose and summary of Responsibilities

The 2005 revision of the criminal code on abortion in Ethiopia and the subsequent development of MOH technical and procedural guideline for safe abortion care provided legal and technical pillars to support women’s access to comprehensive abortion care information and services in Ethiopia.  However, there are challenges and barriers in implementing these legal frameworks and guidelines to the full extent. Among others, resistance to abortion by some institutions and individuals; high turnover of health mangers and providers; and inadequate knowledge about abortion among decision makers are the major gaps that require ongoing advocacy interventions at all levels. In addition, there is also growing antichoice movement on abortion care and other SRHR issues such as comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), family planning (FP) and gender Equality.  Global dynamics such as the global gag rule, the recent decision of the US supreme court and ever growing far right groups have a chilling effect on the abortion discourse and emboldening opposition groups by targeting decision makers, health managers, service seekers and providers, all of which may negatively impact abortion care services in Ethiopia. 

In view of these challenges, Coalition for Comprehensive Abortion Care (CoCAC) was established in 2019 to achieve a broader objective of sustaining and advancing gains in CAC service delivery, addressing emerging issues in a changing political environment, and facilitating cross organizational alliance and learning on abortion matters. MOH has also reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining and advancing the provisions of abortion care and other SRH services to women and girls in the country and proactively manage and mitigate harms resulting from global, regional and local opposition groups that are using various strategies and intensifying their activities against abortion and other SRHR services.

Therefore, the advocacy coordinator is expected to coordinate and manage the CoCAC activities and provide technical support to MOH on abortion related policy advocacy issues.  The coordinator will work closely with the CoCAC secretariat organization(Ipas) and maternal, child and adolescent health lead executive office of MOH. The coordinator leads the implementation of the CoCAC road map, ensure overall CoCAC objectives are met and foster cohesion among members through priority-setting, operational decision-making, and advancing collaboration and action. The coordinator will also provide technical support to MOH through ongoing scanning and sharing the movements of the opposition groups , provide advise to counter act their movements and support/coordinate abortion related policy advocacy works. The coordinator will spend 50% of his/her time on CoCAC works and the remaining 50% to provide technical support to MOH. 

Specific Responsibilities

The coordinator will have the following key roles and responsibilities

Technical support to MOH

• Provide technical support to MOH in areas related to advocacy for abortion and other SRHR issues 
• Conduct regular scanning of the movements of the antichoice groups and report to MoH for appropriate action
• Serve as a point person for abortion related issues at the ministry of health 
• Support MOH to organize and conduct abortion advocacy workshops for higher officials and parliamentarians
• Assist MOH and partners during the revision, updating, launching and dissemination of the technical and procedural guideline for abortion care and CAC training manuals
• Support and facilitate meetings and other activities of the CAC technical working group (CAC-TWG) at MOH
• Provide CAC related technical advice to the MCAH – LEO and relevant team leaders at MOH.

Coordinating the COCAC Activities

• In consultation with the COCAC members develop annual workplan with indicative budget, share with members and coordinate its implementation
•  Ensure the smooth functioning of the Coalition in close consultation with the secretariat, chairperson and members.
• In consultation with the Chairperson and members craft and share meeting agenda, time and venue for regular and emergency meetings. 
• Take notes of the meeting and make sure that they are communicated with all members timely.
• Follow- up and support the implementation of assignments and decisions  by the Coalition 
• Report the progress and level of implementation of the COCAC road map and annual work plan to members
• Compile and present to members findings of the scanning of the antichoice groups for appropriate action. 
• Liaise the works of the CoCAC with MCAH – LEO of MOH. 
• Facilitate and present summary of annual progress, best experiences including of members and challenges encountered to the Coalition 

Terms of employment: One year with possibilities for extension

Salary: Negotiable

Report to: Senior Policy Advisor

Position Requirement

Education

• A qualified health or social science professional with master’s degree in public health, law, sociology or any other related social science fields 

Experience

• A minimum of ten years’ experience in Abortion and SRHR advocacy and working with international nongovernmental organizations
• Well acquainted with national and international reproductive health or abortion related legal and policy frameworks 

Skills and Competencies

• A deep commitment to sexual and reproductive health and rights, especially in prevention of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion 
• Innovative/creative, team builder, communicator and excellent team player
• Proven ability in managing and leading diverse groups and partners 
• Facilitation and training experience 
• High integrity and attention to details 
• Networking and partnership experience 
• Fluency in spoken and written English 

How To Apply

Note:

Female applicants are highly encouraged

Ipas management reserves the right to modify the contents of this position description at any time.

Ipas is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Ipas is strongly committed to providing a work environment that is free from all forms of harassment, discrimination, and inequity.  We recruit, employ, train, promote, and compensate our personnel without regard to race, age, sex, religion, national origin, color, creed, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, veteran status, military service, disability, genetic information, or any other personal characteristic protected by law or outlined by Ipas policy.

Please send CV and application within 15 days from the day of announcement to the following address or hand-deliver to our office:

Micky Leland Street (Behind Caravan Hotel)

Behind Yeshi Buna

Tel: 011 663 3379/ 011 662 6311

Email: zewdieh@ipas.org

P. O. Box 63001 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

N.B. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.