Head of Advocacy and Sector Strengthening – WaterAid, Ethiopia

Job Description

WaterAid is an international not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. Since we started in 1981, we’ve remained resolutely focused on tackling these three essentials that transform people’s lives.

Without all three, people can’t live dignified, healthy lives. With all three, they can unlock their potential, break free from poverty, and change their lives for good. Children grow up healthy and strong, women and men get to earn a living, whole communities start to thrive. It sounds normal and it should be.

We’re committed to changing normal forever-are you?

WaterAid is fully committed to protecting those with whom it comes into contact. 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 behaviour, 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 pre-employment references and checks to ensure high standards are maintained.

For more information about safeguarding at WaterAid, please visit our safeguarding webpage at: https://www.wateraid.org/uk/safeguarding-at-wateraid

Job Title: Head of Advocacy and Sector Strengthening
Place of work: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Pay band: G1
Contract type: Open Ended Full-time contract
Reports to: Country Director
Manages:

• WASH Sector Strengthening Advisor
• Advocacy Advisor
• Communication and Campaigns Specialist
• Project Coordinator – Agenda for Change

Budget responsibility: ETB 20 to 25 million per year
Travel: Regular local and international travel involved

Team description

The Advocacy and Sector Strengthening team drives the Country Program’s advocacy agenda and the sector strengthening program. The team ensures advocacy agendas and sector strengthening issues are incorporated in the Country Program Strategy, Programmes and Plans. The team’s main responsibility is to develop the capacity of sector actors and influence government bodies and policy makers, through different mechanisms; networking, policy analysis, and evidence-based advocacy. The team is under the Country Director.

Job purpose

The Head of Advocacy and Sector Strengthening leads the Country Program’s advocacy agenda, define the sector strengthening program and provide oversight and support towards the effective implementation of these considering the Country Program Strategy and annual plans. The position holder leads the advocacy and system strengthening team and will spearhead WAE’s advocacy and sector strengthening agenda in collaboration with the Country Director, staff in Technical Services Department and other relevant staff by ensuring all related programs at national and field level are designed to generate evidence and excellence for modelling, replication and influencing.

• Develop the Country Program’s advocacy strategy that is in line with the Country Program Strategy and the WaterAid global and regional directions in collaboration with other relevant staff and ensure the strategy is rolled-out effectively
• Engage with relevant Government representatives and other strategic partners and take active part in forums to influence the desired change.
• Facilitate research and studies that are aimed at generating evidence for advocacy
• Ensure outcome of research/study are well documented and shared to relevant bodies for influencing and replication
• Lead the development of a strategy for delivering the WASH sector capacity strengthening
• Lead research pieces that can add value to sector knowledge and developing compelling messages for influencing sector actors.
• Proactively engage in sector discussions, build and maintain relationships with key sector ministries, institutions and other strategic partners who are critical to realizing WAE strategic priorities.
• Responsible for generating policy briefs, communication materials and case stories of evidence and excellence generated from programming at national and field levels in line with the CP and global priorities.
• Work closely with the Director of Technical Services and Business Development Manager in exploring funding opportunities, developing concept notes and proposals for mobilizing resources for CPS strategic priorities.
• Monitor implementation of the advocacy and sector capacity building/system strengthening programme and prepare reports based on organizational policies and procedures including monthly, quarterly, biannual and annual reports.

Essential

• Master of Arts Degree in Development Studies, Policy formulation and analysis and other related social science fields
• At least 10 years of experience in advocacy in the WASH sector, especially related to the current government context.
• Excellent facilitation, communication and networking skills
• Proven experience in undertaking activities aimed at advocacy and sector capacity building initiative to government structure
• Proven experience in influencing and advocacy initiative
• Strong English communication skills, both interpersonal and written,
• Skills in planning and organization, problem solving and decision making
• Ability to mainstream gender equality, HIV/AIDS, safeguarding and protection of staff and partners
• Commitment to WaterAid’s values and a working style that reflects these.

Desirable

• Significant experience of programme design and successful proposal development.
• Demonstrable experience and competence in networking and effective relationship building with peers, donors and government. High level of diplomacy and tact
• How to Apply

If you are interested in the position and have the right skills and attributes, please send your application, consisting of a letter of interest and a CV, to WaterAid Ethiopia by 10 July.

Please note: to apply for this role you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in Ethiopia.