Policy & Advocacy Specialist

ACORD is seeking a Policy & Advocacy Specialist, focused on food sovereignty but able to take on gender, conflict and HIV issues.

You should be able to work on your own initiative at a distance from (but in close collaboration with) your line manager and team, be a capable networker, and be able to reflect ACORD's African perspectives in a UK/European context.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity for a confident policy worker to develop skills and experience in an African-led organisation.

Job Summary

• Implementation of policy and advocacy plans in UK and Europe, in close collaboration with the Pan-African programme team based in Nairobi.
• Under the supervision of the Head of Policy & Advocacy, the Policy and Advocacy Advisor will play a role of leadership in development of a research and advocacy agenda in the UK and more broadly in Europe.
• This includes research, intelligence gathering, media, partnership and alliance building, popular mass mobilisation and lobby work, as well as capacity building, learning and knowledge management, where appropriate, with other ACORD staff and partners.
• The Policy and Advocacy Advisor shall lead this work in close collaboration with the rest of the policy and advocacy team in Nairobi, and in country and regional programmes across Africa.

Overview of Job Requirements

Minimum Qualification:

Masters in Social Sciences, Sustainable Development or Agricultural Sciences; International Relations or Communication, Law or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in advocacy program in the NGO sector and social movement with international NGOs or institutions;
• Sustained experience in popular mobilization and Policy Advocacy work at International level especially on issues related to economic justice, other relevant issues;
• Relevant experience in policy analysis, lobbying and media work;
• Experience in networking and partnership and capacity in partnership management.

Technical Expertise

• Excellent Communication and Public Relations skills;
• Very good oral expression and writing skills;
• Bilingual: English-French or Portuguese spoken and written is an essential requirement for the position;
• High level of conceptual, strategic thinking and analysis;
• Very good understanding of economic and gender justice at the level of Policy influence in the European and international arena and good understanding of African realities;
• Highly conversant with Civil Society and Social Movement approaches on issues economic justice and gender justice;
• Good organisational, research, negotiation and analytical capabilities;
• Ability to identify, obtain and analyze information from a variety of sources.

Salary range:

GBP25,769 - GBP31,138 per annum(Negotiable depending on qualifications and experience)

Apply to:

Human Resources & Organisational Development Manager
ACORD Nairobi, ACK Garden House,
P. O. Box 61216, 00200,
Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: +254 20 2721172, 2721185/86

To apply, please complete an application form http://www.acordinternational.org/silo/files/application-form.doc and e-mail it with a detailed Curriculum Vitae and cover letter to recruit@acordinternational.org with the Job Title in the Subject Box.

Closing Date: 7th May 2012.