Senior Advocacy and Communications Manager at Nigeria Health Watch

Nigeria Health Watch is a not-for-profit health communication and advocacy organisation that seeks to advocate for better health for Nigerians. We have worked to actively engage and support the government in raising awareness and increasing knowledge on a wide range of health issues in Nigeria. We aim to hold duty bearers accountable for delivering affordable and quality healthcare to Nigerians. The unique capacity of Nigeria Health Watch lies in the combination of its communication and health expertise, which enables the organisation to provide solutions for evidence-based communications and advocacy in the health sector.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Advocacy and Communications Manager

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time

About the Job

The Senior Advocacy & Communications Manager will oversee the design and implementation of advocacy strategies for the organisation’s advocacy and communications programmes, with a significant focus on maternal, newborn and child health.
He/she must have extensive experience in policy, communications, and advocacy work.
This position will help to drive change at the local, sub-national and national level by identifying, collaborating with, and supporting an engaged set of key stakeholders who will promote the importance of quality maternal health care.
The role will be based in Abuja with a 25% travel requirement.

Essential Job Function
Communications:

Develop and maintain clear lines of communication with advocates and key stakeholders locally and internationally and use this to inform project strategy
Convene multi-sectoral national-level groups of key stakeholders to advance quality maternal health care in Nigeria and leverage opportunities this effort presents
Lead the development of content and dissemination of communications and advocacy materials such as blog articles, op-eds, briefs, policy documents, newsletters, infographics, and social media in close cooperation with communications and advocacy program staff.
Implement relevant areas of the media strategy and undertake media outreach to achieve advocacy objectives (newspaper feature, TV appearances and hosting of radio shows).

Advocacy:

In partnership with the Director of Policy & Advocacy, lead the Advocacy team in the process of developing, implementing, and monitoring the organisation’s advocacy strategy and feeding into the broader strategic vision for the organisation.
Be responsible for ensuring the effective monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the team’s strategic workplan.
Develop and utilise advocacy channels for the organisation to achieve relevant advocacy objectives through abstract writing, poster presentation, policy dialogues, campaigns etc.
Drive Advocacy team involvement to help shape the maternal health communications strategy and communications activities
Develop and maintain robust advocacy team approaches to promote quality maternal health in Nigeria

Project Management:

Identify and develop collaborative relationships with key stakeholders in government, civil society and at the community level, who are working for, or supportive of, change in maternal health in Nigeria, in close collaboration and coordination with relevant project and programme staff.
To lead the development, implementation and monitoring of the project’s advocacy priorities and specifically lead on assigned advocacy objectives.
Plan, design and implement strategies for communications and advocacy for public awareness concerning maternal health in Nigeria.
Co-ordinate capacity development efforts with relevant project staff to strengthen and enhance existing data collection processes and data analysis to support the rigorous monitoring of progress on advocacy activities
Develop and maintain clear lines of communication with advocates and key stakeholders internationally and use this to inform and increase the impact of our work in Nigeria and internationally.
Responsible for leading hybrid events, managing stakeholders and delivering a successful event.

Education & Experience

The successful candidate must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Management, Development Studies, Public Health, Public Policy, or related field required.
Advanced degree is desirable but not mandatory for this position.
The successful candidate must have at least 5 years’ experience planning, managing, and implementing advocacy & communications projects in health.

Essential:

Minimum five years proven knowledge and experience of development and delivery of advocacy and campaigning strategies
Proven experience of providing on-going support to organisations involved in advocacy & communications
Proven experience of collaborating with members of a network and knowledge of how it is different to working in one single organisation
Experience of effectively managing or guiding the work of others to achieve results
Experience of developing and implementing advocacy & communications strategies, particularly the Theory of Change approach.
Knowledge and experience of relevant maternal health advocacy and policy issues in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, particularly regarding the barriers that can prevent access to quality maternal health care.
Experience working, and building collaborative relations with, members of civil society, government, academia, and the private sector.
Experience collaborating with policymakers and advocates at a country and regional level.
Experience organising workshops or trainings required.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Excellent research and public-speaking skills
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Project management skill
He/she must have initiative and be able to work effectively under pressure independently and with a team.
Proven ability to develop consensus policy positions and write high-quality policy papers
Proven ability to develop and implement advocacy strategies
Proven ability to support local, national, and international advocacy initiatives of others
Innovative, energetic, solution-orientated approach to work
Ability to represent the organisation in a variety of fora in Nigeria and internationally
Strong project planning skills with proven ability to organise and prioritise tasks and to manage own time efficiently