APHRC – Head of Policy Engagement and Communications (PEC)

Head of Policy Engagement and Communications (PEC)

About APHRC

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is an international not-for-profit organization headquartered in Kenya with a regional office in Dakar, Senegal. The continent’s premier research and policy organization, generating evidence to drive policy action to improve the health and wellbeing of African people.

As a progressive African-led global research center invested in creating legacy impact, our work is centered in three integrated programs: research, research capacity strengthening and policy engagement & communications. To achieve our strategic objectives, we have, among several other initiatives, taken an explicit focus on strengthening the R&D ecosystem in Africa to ensure that the system in which we operate is enabling for everyone across the Evidence-Informed Decision Making

(EIDM) spectrum. To expand our geographical reach beyond the current 35 countries in which we have active projects, we are implementing a partnership model that entails formalized relationships with individuals and institutions in different countries. We have diverse partners, some of whom include policy actors, academic/research institutions, funders, Government entities, regional bodies, multi-laterals, civil society organizations, policy and & advocacy organizations and communities among others.

RESEARCH

Our teams orient their research agendas to global and continental development priorities bringing independent evidence to the forefront of decisions supporting improved growth and development in the region. The Center’s research priorities fall into four program themes: Human Development, Health and Well-Being, Population

Dynamics and Urbanization in Africa and, Data Science and Evaluation. Anchoring the six is our Data, Measurement and Evaluation Unit providing internal support for robust data systems and outward looking technical assistance in program evaluation and data use.

About APHRC

RESEARCH AND RELATED CAPACITY STRENGTHENING

Through strategic partnerships, the Center strives to nurture African research leadership by building a critical mass of researchers to meaningfully engage with policy actors in developing, reviewing and implementing policies and programs relevant to the continent’s development.

POLICY ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS

The Center builds relationships with key decision-making bodies at the national, regional and global levels to encompass engagements with government and non-government entities, as well as academic, advocacy and research institutions: all in service to our agenda of ensuring contextual, relevant and localized knowledge as a driver of change. Our goal is to become a continental model for robust, policy-oriented, rigorous research that emphasizes synergy and collaboration.

The Role

ROLE

Head of Policy Engagement and Communications (PEC)

DIVISION Programs LOCATION

Nairobi, Kenya

REPORTS TO Director of Programs

DIRECT REPORTS

Unit Heads

Job Summary

The PEC function is the custodian for the Center’s impact pathways. The role is therefore responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating corporate communications, policy engagement, advocacy initiatives as well as program specific communications in a synergistic and strategic manner.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the PEC agenda including leading priority-setting processes in line with the Center’s strategy.

• Contribute to the development of the PEC program strategy.

• Oversee the review process for all PEC proposals and publications to ensure quality outputs.

• Steward Center brand and position for external audiences through strategic foundation documents (strategic plan, corporate communications, crisis communications/risk management plan, and annual report) and ensure the Center’s brand coherence.

• Develop and implement plans and strategies to guide the Center’s communications and policy engagement related activities.

• Enhance the Center’s position and visibility to appropriate audiences at national, regional and global levels.

• Ensure effective implementation of PEC led projects and critical non-project activities.

• Contribute to management/leadership/overall institutional development through membership in Senior Management Team.

• Monitor, harmonize, and coordinate PEC activities to ensure compliance with established ethical standards and best practices.

• Develop and submit internal reports on the status, progress, and outcomes of the PEC program.

• Facilitate and actively seek cross- and within-program collaboration and synergy as well as synergy across Divisions.

• Monitor and evaluate PEC programs to ensure the achievement of set targets and identification of emerging issues.

• Actively develop and nurture partnerships with potential donors and fundraising partners.

• Address contentious program or management issues with funders and/or partner institutions on behalf of APHRC.

• Oversee performance management of program members to ensure smooth succession and career growth.

• Develop and implement work plans to ensure efficient and effective execution of program objectives.

• Represent the Center in high level forums at national, regional and global levels on matters related to the program priority areas.

• Program budget development.

• Coordinate the identification of priority needs for staffing, equipment, training to be incorporated in the Center’s annual budgets.

• Monitor with support from the finance unit, the financial performance of the program, identifying and following up areas of improvement at Unit level.

• Ensure appropriate financial sustainability targets are set and monitored at unit level in line with the Center’s annual budget and fundraising strategy.

Candidate Profile

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent understanding of research to impact pathways and frameworks.

• Demonstrated experience in either of the program’s focus areas: corporate communications, advocacy, Knowledge Translation and Policy Engagement.

• Master’s level degree with 15 years’ experience or Doctoral level degree in area of specialisation (e.g. development communications, health/development policy, knowledge management/translation) and at least 10 years of relevant experience.

• Familiarity with the population health research and development landscape.

• Broad knowledge of the Center’s programs areas and strategic focus.

• Experience in a senior management role for at least 5 years.

• Demonstrated success in developing, fundraising for and leading policy engagement, communications and advocacy initiatives in Africa.

• Established networks with funding, policy, academic, research entities across the globe.

• Research training (e.g at PhD level) and/or experience conducting research would be an advantage

COMPETENCIES

• Strong research and analysis skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively in a diverse environment.

• Analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to develop and implement long term integrated and cross functional operational plans.

How to Apply

To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button on the job advert page, complete our online application form, and submit your CV and cover letter as two different documents, which should be prepared before applying as they will be considered in the application process.

The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

The document should be saved in PDF in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document NameDate (mmyy) e.g., Pat-Jones-CV-092023-APHRC or Pat-JonesCoverLetter-092023- APHRC.

SELECTION PROCESS

All candidates will receive an update regarding their application after the closing date. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder.

EQUALITY STATEMENT

Equality and diversity are at the core of APHRC’s values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.

QUERIES

Closing Date: 6 November 2023

First stage interviews: TBC Final interviews: TBC

If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email aphrc-head-pec@oxfordhr.com in the first instance.

All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR.

About Oxford HR

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