Position description
The Director, Advocacy and Partnerships is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), working closely with the Country Director to develop, implement, and evaluate the organization's strategic plans and policies. The Director will provide insights, guidance, and support to align departmental objectives with the overall mission and make critical decisions for the organization's success. The primary responsibilities include leading the development, management, and sustaining relationships with key health and non-health stakeholders critical to Living Goods' mission, especially in promoting increased government prioritization, ownership, and investment in high-quality community health services. This includes ensuring that Community Health Workers (CHWs) are digitally enabled, equipped, supervised, and compensated (DESC).
The role involves acting as a highly visible external representative, engaging with government officials, development partners (donors), and other stakeholders to support Living Goods' objectives and enhance its visibility and influence. The Director will lead a cross-functional team providing strategic oversight and support in community health systems strengthening and/or health financing and business development.
The Director, Advocacy and Partnerships is responsible for managing and supervising all advocacy and government relations, working closely with the Global Business Development and Communications Heads and their teams in Kenya, Uganda, Burkina Faso and the United States to optimize operational synergies. As a member of the SLT, the Director will lead the country advocacy agenda, develop strategic partnerships, and contribute to policy development, performance management, digital and data utilization, health financing, and defining Living Goods' role in emerging ecosystem themes such as climate change and gender.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with the Country Director and team to develop the Living Goods Kenya Advocacy and Partnerships strategy and action plan, focusing on advancing community health system strengthening in Kenya through the integration of the DESC model.
- Lead policy advocacy initiatives to influence the development and adoption of sustainable and effective community health strategies that incorporate the DESC model, ensuring high impact at both national and local levels.
- Implement community health systems strengthening advocacy and external relations programs, working with key stakeholders to align LG's strategic priorities with national government policies and strategies.
- Engage with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other relevant bodies, such as Gavi, to ensure alignment of multilateral priorities and programs, fostering a cohesive approach to community health initiatives.
- Provide oversight and management of strategic partnerships with various stakeholders, including government agencies, donors, and health implementing partners, to support LG's mission and objectives.
- Represent the Country Director in key external meetings and activities, ensuring high-level participation and effective communication of LG's priorities and goals.
- Represent the Country Director in key internal meetings, contributing to the shaping of donor pitches and proposals, and ensuring cohesive messaging across the organization.
- Ensure quick, responsive, and high-quality support and information are provided to LG's key external and internal stakeholders, maintaining clear and effective communication channels.
- Foster close collaborative partnerships with all relevant departments within LG, optimizing synergies and promoting strong partnerships between the Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships Department and other departments.
- Collaborate proactively with Global Advocacy to identify and leverage synergies and opportunities for strategic partnerships, funding, and policy changes or adaptations.
- Work closely with LG's communications team to advance the organization's work and enhance its influence through strategic communications, helping to attract more partnerships.
- Provide strategic insights to the Business Development (BD) team on stakeholder engagement strategies for priority bi/multilateral donors, utilizing market knowledge to inform partnership strategies.
- Coordinate with in country and global BD colleagues on the implementation of donor engagement plans, including direct participation in meetings with donors and partners, and contributing to strategic preparation materials.
- Lead and provide guidance to the Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships team, enhancing their motivation, creativity, and productivity, while also managing team performance and overseeing the utilization of leave and other resources.
- Lead the planning, budgeting, and implementation of Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships activities in accordance with donor policies and LG's core values, ensuring that activities are delivered within budget and that accurate and timely financial accountability is maintained.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in public health or related field from a recognised university.
- Bachelor’s degree in medical, Public Health or related field.
- Over 10 years and above of experience in management and programs design, health policy development and/or working in health system strengthening efforts with Government (either National or Sub National).
- Experience in high-level advocacy engagements, influencing or contributing to national policies and strategies.
- Proven experience in technical assistance to Ministries of Health and supporting health system strengthening.
- Proven track record of securing strategic partnerships and funding for development programs, especially from bilateral donors. in strategic communications including dealing with media.
- Strong experience working with various donors, including USAID, World Bank, Global Fund, Gavi, DFID/FCDO, UN Agencies (UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA), and foundations.
- Existing relationships and connections within the (Country Name) health sector (desirable).
- Experience developing and managing efforts to influence policymakers, institutional funders, and other external stakeholders.
Skills and Competencies:
- Ability to analyze and articulate the organization's operational goals and strategic plan for informed decision-making.
- Strong analysis, writing, editing and public speaking skills targeting broad and diverse stakeholders. Creative, energetic and innovative approach to identifying solutions.
- Knowledge of global health and development issues; experience with primary health care and community health in Kenya and regionally.
- Leadership in developing operational plans that contribute to long-term organizational strategy.
- Effective management and stewardship of programs/business units.
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with high levels of integrity.
- Ability to build commitment through collaboration, consultation, and stakeholder consideration.
- Excellent communication and advocacy skills, including public speaking and writing.
- Strong diplomatic skills for engaging with government ministries and donors.
- In-depth understanding of the health sector, including local institutional, policy, and legal frameworks, and MOH guidelines.
Application instructions
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