Purpose of the Position:

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 in light of the Country Program Strategy and annual plans. The position holder 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 the shape and content of all related programs at national and field level in a way they are designed to generate evidence and excellence for modeling, replication and influencing. 

She/he will represent WAE at various meetings and forums at Regional, Nationally, and International levels regarding advocacy and sector strengthening as well as relevant areas as assigned by the Country Director. She/he will work towards increasing the profile of WAE and ensure that WAE’s WASH service delivery follows the core value of equity and inclusion through mainstreaming equity and inclusion in the projects implemented. 

Job Description:

Leadership roles

As member of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Advocacy and Sector Strengthening plays crucial role in advancing collective leadership in strategic and operational matters of the organization in order to ensure effective realization of the Country Program Strategy.  Lead the approach to ensuring that the CP has integrated rights, gender, equity and inclusion into its work as well as being a diverse and inclusive place to work.

Advocacy

·        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 the Director of Technical Services and 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

·        Ensure advocacy engagement reports are prepared and submitted timely maintaining quality 

Sector strengthening 

• Lead the development of a strategy for delivering the WASH sector capacity strengthening 
• Articulate the purpose and influencing intent of the sector strengthening programme work through supporting the design and approach,
• 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.
• Ensure that all staff have clear knowledge and understanding of WAE’s strategic intent and purpose in the sector. 
• Following up and monitor trends in sector processes, strategies and practices and advice the Senior Management Team on possible actions in terms of delivering organizational messaging at key areas.
• 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.
• Ensure the right level of quality control on any outsourced research pieces with a clear plan for utilization to advance the CPs strategic priorities.
• Ensure performance reports are prepared and submitted maintaining quality and timeliness on the roles of the department

Networking and partnerships:

• Facilitate building partnerships with government institutions, donors, universities, private sector and research institutions so as to advance WAE’s strategic objectives.
• Build networks of supporters by sharing WAE’s key messages.
• Represent WAE in key sector events nationally or globally (when assigned).

Resource Mobilization:

• 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.
• Collect case stories and share with the fundraising team as an input for mobilizing resources locally or globally from funding agencies.

Monitoring and Reporting:

·        Monitor implementation of the advocacy and sector capacity building/system strengthening programme and prepare reports on the basis of organizational policies and procedures including monthly, quarterly, biannual and annual reports.

·        Contribute to the preparation of other organizational reports, biannual and annual reports.

People management 

• Develop and coach staff who report to the position holder
• Ensure performance objectives are set to staff and monitored and evaluated as per the HR Policies and Procedures Manual
• Work within a matrix organizational structure with staff under Technical Service, Operations and People and OD Departments to ensure that all the programme activities are in line with WAE’s influencing objectives as per the CPS.
• Ensure that WAE WASH Programme delivery at the field level is designed to positively impact the building of better WASH systems and generate replicable results that can be profiled to contribute to universal access for Ethiopia.

Safeguarding Safety & Security

·        Creating and maintaining an environment which upholds WaterAid’s Global Code of Conduct and associated safeguarding and child protection policies.

·        Creating and maintaining an environment which consistently upholds WaterAid’s Health, Safety & Security Policy (TBD)

·        Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding, Child Protection and Gender policies and Code of Conduct (CoC)

·        Adheres to any local security protocols that have been put in place when working in the office, travelling to the field or undertaking project / programme activities

·        Immediately reports any health, safety and security incidents or near-misses that occur on WaterAid duty to their line manager, Security Focal Point or CD

·        Behaves and acts in a manner that does not put colleagues or anyone that interacts with WaterAid in immediate danger or harm’s way.

Job Requirements

Qualification  

Master of Arts Degree in Development Studies, Policy formulation and analysis and other related social science fields

Experience

At least 10 years of experience in advocacy the WASH sector, especially related to the current government context.

Skills

·        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

·        Demonstrated organizational skills and strong track record in meeting deliverables and 

donor deadlines

·        Strong English communication skills, both interpersonal and written

·        Strong management skills – planning and organization, problem solving and decision making

·        Ability to work independently 

·        Ability to mainstream gender equality, HIV/AIDS, safeguarding and protection of staff and partners 

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

Personal Competencies:

·        Cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity

·        Ability to work to deadlines and under pressure

·        Strong proven delegation, time management and prioritizing skills

·        Flexible, patient and adaptable to a changing environment.

·        Excellent interpersonal, communication and team building skills.

·        Effective networking abilities

·        Excellent people management capabilities

.     Good public speaking ability in English

How to Apply

Qualified applicants can send their CV and motivational letter via THIS LINK

WaterAid is an equal opportunities employer regardless of sex, race, disability, age, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. WaterAid Ethiopia does not discriminate on grounds of gender, marital status, race, tribe, religion, culture, disability, age, HIV/AIDS status, or any other factor. WaterAid Ethiopia encourages female candidates to apply.

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 behavior, 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.