Under immediate supervision of Marketing and Communication Director, The External relation, communication and Advocacy  Manager plays a crucial role in enabling the achievement of MSIE’s mission by advocating and influencing policy change, as well as developing, managing and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders that are critical to MSIE, particularly with respect to its mission, goals and objectives of advancing increased access to family planning and sexual and reproductive health rights and services for the low to middle income and vulnerable women and youths of Ethiopian.

 DUTIES/TASKS

Specific Roles and Responsibilities

 1.Advocacy & Policy   

·       Lead the implementation of MSIE’s policy interventions ensuring the achievement of policy outcomes to stimulate national policy dialogue and change.

·       Monitor and analyze the national SRH policy environment to identify gaps or opportunities for MSIE’s involvement that promote MSIE’s approach to evidence-based decision making

·       Provide feedback to MSIE relevant teams on outcome of stakeholder meetings and consultations.

·       Identify national policy committees and working group and ensure MSIE is represented at all SRH national policy dialogue meetings

·       Ensure the implementation of relevant evaluation and reviews to strengthen policy project effectiveness.

·       Cultivate, strengthen and nurture constructive and positive relationships with a wide range of political, technical and financial partners, including national decision makers and policy makers, academic institutions, opinion leaders and other partners as champions to advance universal access to contraception and safe abortion.

·       Effectively identify and influence relevant debates, opportunities and policy initiatives that can support MSIE’s priorities of: eradicating unsafe abortion; increasing access and choice in long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods; de-medicalisation and task-shifting; results based financing; and increasing access for young people.

·       Proactively engage and serve as a key resource to increase awareness of MSIE’s global impact and results with strategic partners and individuals. Support the transfer of knowledge, documentation and dissemination of learning, best practices, case studies and successful strategies in relation to MSIE’s policy engagement.

·       Monitor policy processes and developments relevant to MSIE

·       Organize and lead the MSIE advocacy working group

·       Represent MISE in the FMOH appropriate to the job technical working group

 External Relations and Communications

·       Communications strategy-in liaison with MSIE Senior Management team coordinate development and implementation of the mission communications strategy. Take lead and facilitate the drafting of communication materials, including talking points, briefs, speeches, background/position papers, reports, correspondence, press releases, and digital content.

·       Branding and visibility - ensure that all communication products and project deliverables for the external audience are appropriately branded(in line with the MSIE and donor compliance guidelines). Proactively seek out interesting stories from programs, initiating or accompanying field visits to collect high-quality photos, case and success stores - quotes and possibly audio and video material suitable for use in media and communication products

·       External and Internal Communications-in collaboration with Senior Management Team (SMT) develop clear and effective guidelines and protocols for internal and external communications.

·       Targeted Public messaging and media outreach- advise leadership and Management team and program staff on public messaging and media outreach. Supporting in drafting officials briefing materials, strategic presentations, talking points, speeches, statements, etc.

·       Local strategic partner relations- develop and manage partnership strategy and communication guidelines that support and nurture effective relations with MSIE local partners.

·       Multi-media campaign-develop structured approach and procedures including relations with mainstream media. Lead and coordinate the preparation of communication publications for both internal and external purposes;

·       Reporting- mainstream communication in MSIE’s programs and support effective process documentation and technical monthly/quarterly and annual reporting.

·       Website, social media, and networking-in collaboration with the regional and HQ communication teams manage the active website and social media presence.

·       Event coordination- take leadership in coordinating key events ensuring high-level professionalism(annual organization meetings/workshops); Minute taking, proceeding preparation, and communication.

·       Capacity building- provide training to program staff and local partners on communication and advocacy. Train and coach program staff on external communications and how to spot and share relevant information, data, and human interest stories from their work to convey the project’s success and impact on clients’ lives.

 Partnership

• Co-develop and co-lead the implementation of MSIE;s partnership strategy to increase MSIE’s external partner engagement.

• Identify and build strategic alliances and partnerships to support MSIE’s mission.

• Lead in acquisition, negotiation and maintenance of funding and implementing partnerships.

• Drive partner relationship management efforts to maintain and grow existing partner relationships.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to structure and execute MSIE’s initiatives and partnerships.

• Build staff capacities and sensitization on partnerships and resource mobilization

 Job Requirements

1. Education Qualification:

·       University Degree in Health Science, Social Science, or International Development Management; master’s degree is an added advantage.

·       Fluent English both oral and written.

·       Knowledge of Clinical Health, Community Outreach, Family Planning, Social Marketing and Social Franchising

·       Computer literate, proficient in MS Word, Power Point presentation and Excel (essential).

Experience / Knowledge (essential/desirable

·       At least five years’ relevant experience, three of which must be related to Advocacy and Policy work (essential).

·       Demonstrated record in engaging and influencing senior policymakers, donors and civil society agencies to deliver strategic advocacy outcomes.

·       Established and network of relationships with politicians, decision makers, and international agencies within Ethiopia.

·       Experience in planning of advocacy campaigns and events

·       Experience in dealing with press requests

·       Experience in working with women and youth network groups

·       Good knowledge of the health sector in Ethiopia an important advantage (desirable).

·       Excellent communication skills - excellent verbal and written English communication skills and ability to organise and present information in a compelling way.

·       An in-depth knowledge and understanding of both local and government policies.

Skills, Attitudes and Attributes

·       Strong supporter of the cause for contraception and a woman’s right to safe abortion.

·       (Pro-choice.)

·       Results driven.

·       Motivated and energetic.

·       Strong commitment to the goals and vision of MSI and MSIE.

·       Passion for service excellence and improving quality

·       Strong training skills; able to effectively build capacity.

·       Excellent interpersonal/communication skill.

·       The highest levels of integrity, and a strong ethical sense.

·       Self- managed and able to prioritize and work under pressure.

 Number of Position: (01)

Duty Station: MSIE Support Office, Addis Ababa

Employment Type: Permanent

Salary:  As per MSIE Salary Scale

 How to Apply

We invite candidates meeting the required qualifications email to Humanresource@mariestopes.org.et 

Please mention the title of the position and workplace you applied for on the subject line of your email.

Due to the volume of applications, we will only contact shortlisted candidates, and we are unable to provide any feedback on unsuccessful applications.

CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

MSI ETHIOPIA REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES STRONGLY ENCOURAGE FEMALE CANDIDATES TO APPLY!