JOB DESCRIPTION FOR ADVOCACY AND CAMPAIGNS SPECIALIST AT WATERAID RWANDA
Job Title
Advocacy and Campaigns Specialist
Place of work
WaterAid Rwanda – Head Office, Kigali.
Contract type
Fixed-Term Contract (9 months)
Reports to
Head of Policy Research and Advocacy, WaterAid Rwanda
Manages
Non
Grade
Grade E
Work Relationships
WaterAid Rwanda Senior Management Team, WaterAid East Africa Regional Team and WaterAid Federation offices especially UK.
Introduction
WaterAid’s Vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. Our mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities, WaterAid works with partners to maximize its impacts for policy change/influence.
WaterAid Rwanda (WARw) works through supporting local organizations and government to plan and implement inclusive and sustainable services of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). WARw also seeks to influence the policy change through government and other key WASH stakeholders to secure and protect the right of poor people to safe, affordable water and sanitation services.
Occupying the position of Advocacy and Campaigns Specialist is an exciting opportunity to work with WaterAid and contribute to the achievement of the national and global goals towards realizing the WASH access for everyone everywhere.
Job purpose
The Advocacy and Campaigns Specialist is responsible leading WaterAid’s strategy for effectively advocating and campaigning to achieve its advocacy goals. The remit of this role includes developing compelling advocacy and campaign strategy as well as drawing on learning and evidence from WaterAid’s own work when shaping narratives on WaterAid’s advocacy agenda whilst creating strategic allies to raise the voices of people with the least power upholding WaterAid’s profile and reputations and perspectives on WASH/development discourse.
Key responsibilities
Advocacy
Develop advocacy and campaign Strategy.
Undertake political Economy Analysis to shape the influencing strategy for WaterAid, including identification of priority targets, developing compelling arguments that will have traction and positioning WaterAid amongst allies working on issues.
Draw on WaterAid’s own work and projects and produce informative documentation that suits lessons sharing and advocacy.
Suggest on priority country programme advocacy direction and actions, including drawing on programme practice work to engage in policy influence.
Track, synthesize and share important information on political and policy developments from a diverse range of sources on a range of issues including policy decisions, budgetary allocation and disbursement, sector strengthening initiatives, reforms in the WASH sector etc.
Work with the Head of Policy, Advocacy Research and Advocacy in identifying legislative, political and policy opportunities to drive forward policy change agenda and engage with priority targets to maximise those opportunities.
Work with the Head of Policy, Advocacy Research and Advocacy in developing strong influencing alliances both within and outside WASH sectors(including unusual alliances) that can drive forward WaterAid’s policy agenda
Support communications colleagues to develop compelling advocacy narratives that can be used in public communications.
Assist the Head of Policy Research and Advocacy to assess the results of advocacy and policy interventions to inform and refine the advocacy strategy and WaterAid’s policy agenda.
Work with the Head of Policy Research and Advocacy on WaterAid’s collaboration with WASH organisations, rights-based groups, organisations working on equity and inclusion and other relevant organisations. This includes identifying complementary advocacy partnerships that can drive forward a common policy agenda, supporting advocacy skills-building and generating platforms to increase access to decision-makers
Contribute to evaluation and learning processes as part of the ongoing process of improving the effectiveness of advocacy work in the country.
Campaigns
Work with WASH and rights-based civil society organisations and other stakeholders to develop and deliver coordinated communications and campaigns activities, in line with a common WASH advocacy agenda, that elevates the voices of marginalised groups of people and strengthens accountability of decision-makers and other stakeholders
Project management of major campaigning plans within WaterAid and with allies, to ensure timely and high-quality delivery around key advocacy moments
Working with advocacy team, identify political opportunities to elevate WaterAid’s advocacy agenda and develop strong communications and community engagement to maximise these opportunities
Support civil society allies to develop communications and campaigns skills and profile on a common WASH and rights-based agenda
Lead on ensuring WaterAid Rwanda’s visibility in national, regional and global campaigns on the WASH agenda.
Identify public and popular ambassadors and influential figures who can support and amplify WaterAid Rwanda’s advocacy agenda
Qualification
Master’s degree (in international development, Human Rights,
Sociology, Public Policy or Political
Science) is desirable
University degree in Development
Studies, Economics or the Social
Sciences
Work experience
Minimum of 5 years’ experience of which at least 3 must be in the area of policy analysis and advocacy in the field of development with any reputable national/ international/ donor agency.
INGO work experience is preferable
Language
Fluent in and excellent working English
Attitude
Sociable, responsive, committed, driven
Adherence to:
Right-based approach
Safeguarding
Equity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
Strong strategy skills, drawing policy and political analyses to identify effective advocacy approaches
Excellent political analysis and a track record of identifying and maximising opportunities to progress a policy agenda
Track record of effective policy dialogue with government and donors on WASH sector/ issues that has led to policy change.
Strong communication skills, including active listening and ability to effectively convey information and ideas verbally and in writing.
Excellent writing skills, with extensive experience of policy reports and briefs that translate research and policy analysis into clear advocacy messages for a variety of audiences
Excellent relationship building skills, with the ability to build and maintain trusting relationships, negotiate, influence and resolve conflicts with a range of stakeholders including donor representatives, government officials and community level actors.
Experience of effective advocacy partnerships with a range of civil society actors and stakeholders.
A team player; willing and able to work collaboratively and proactively contribute to the wider team and departmental objectives.
Commitment to WaterAid’s values and a working style that reflects these.
Desirable Criteria
Track record of using gender sensitive advocacy approaches to deliver on an advocacy agenda
Existing links and network within the WASH sector
Experience of writing administrative documents such as MoUs, reports, concept notes, managing grants, and donor reporting
To apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work within ethical background of WaterAid. 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.
WaterAid is an equal opportunity, disability-confident employer and committed to achieving the highest standards of diversity, fairness and equality. Should you have a disability and require any additional support, please contact us at WARwanda@wateraid.org
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested applicants fulfilling the above-mentioned criteria are invited to submit their Curriculum Vitae and Cover letter specifying three referees (former direct supervisor) as well as their emails and telephone to: WARwanda@wateraid.org. Certified academic credentials will be presented after official notification of employment offer, prior to singing the contract.
The deadline for submission of applications is Friday 25th June 2021 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email or phone for interview.
Done at Kigali, 18th June 2021
Jacqueline KABERA, Admin. P&OD-Manager, WaterAid Rwanda
