National Media & Advocacy Coordinator Share Vision Network

VACANCIES

Share Vision Network is a multi-Purpose local Volunteer-Driven Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that is committed to the universality and indivisibility of human being and strives to satisfy those rights through active, hands-on programs. With a focus in Africa, Particularly Zambia.

Share Vision Network is at its inception looking for volunteers with possible full-time jobs depending on availability of funds. Share Vision Network is fully registered with Ministry Community Development and Social Welfare.

National Media & Advocacy Coordinator x 1

Key Responsibilities:

The purpose of the role is to lead and manage the external and internal Advocacy Campaigns Communications and Media work for Share Vision Network office including the advocacy strategy development and implementation, supporting the priority programmatic areas, such as Human Rights and Development, Child Rights, Woman Genda Protection, Health and Nutrition, Disaster Management, Water and Sanitation, Education, Food Security and Humanitarian, Disabilities, Girl Child Protection. The role will support the country office in risk mapping, mitigation and management of issues identified as most relevant for the SVN and develop policy analysis and strategic planning in response to those issues.

Strategic leadership

• Lead the development/revision and implementation of the Country programme SVN strategy and operational plan that aligns directly with the Share Vision Network Strategic Plan and Global advocacy agenda.
• Work closely with National Program Coordinator and Finance team to develop new projects and ensure that
• Share Vision Network interventions are strategically incorporated and adequately resourced and budgeted for in new proposals.
• Ensure strong linkages between Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Media function, Coordinator and SVN so that advocacy is well resourced, evidence based, and program driven and that programs are enhanced through advocacy.

Advocacy Strategy Development and Implementation

• Lead Share Vision Network’s Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Media work with a clear vision and integrated workplan and objectives, including setting.
• Revise, strengthen and implement the Head Office’s overall advocacy strategy, identify policy and practice change, on the basis of Share Vision Network s experience, that would promote and protect the rights of all Zambian.
• Based on Share Vision Network program priorities, and identified priority issues for children, develop key advocacy messages and identify targets from lessons learned, assessments, research and evidence gained through project implementation.
• Develop and implement advocacy objectives and initiatives, both short and long term, encompassing a wide range of issues and audiences.
• Develop and implement a plan for national level advocacy and influencing as part of the overall advocacy strategy, involving partners, technical experts, and actors.
• Work with the NPC Regional Office to develop and implement and plan for international advocacy, identifying key strands of work to be collectively taken forward by the members and Advocacy Offices.
• Ensure that voices of vulnerable in communities are head through campaigning, and media.

Situation and advocacy analysis

• Working closely with the NPC, NCC, and NLC teams to provide analysis of various issues affecting Zambias, policy responses, policy frameworks, donor coordination, available funding and other current and future challenges that have an impact on children and their access to health, education, humanitarian assistance, and protection services.
• Define key advocacy opportunities and targets at national and local levels, if relevant, and if needed mobilize international advocacy support for these.
• Ensure a strong power analysis of the relevant actors and where opportunities for influence and leverage lie to inform the advocacy strategy.

Producing advocacy products

• Draft and otherwise support the production of advocacy products as outlined in the advocacy strategy for use at the country, regional and international levels, supporting participation in country.
• Ensure that all advocacy messages, documents, and strategies are evidence-based, drawn from field experience and assessments, of high quality and effective, and are approved by the NPC or CEO and relevant team members necessary, ensure advocacy products are signed-off according to the SVN sign-off procedures.
• Support National and Local advocacy initiatives that include Zambia (Internally and, where relevant, externally) by ensuring requests for input, feedback or sign-off are responded to in a timely manner and expectations are managed accordingly.
• Lead SVN media and comms work to highlight humanitarian needs by developing products for social and traditional media. Advise on media lines and media strategy, ensuring potential risks associated with SVN’s positions are assessed and sign-off procedures are adhered to.

Management

• Keep a watch on policy makers and other key players in relation to children’s rights issues and identify opportunities to raise awareness and influence policy change.
• Lead and coordinate Shave Vision Network s engagement with policy issues and related advocacy, including by developing briefing papers, engaging with the Advocacy and Campaigns Technical Working Group, as well as supporting the team.

External Engagement and Influencing

• Develop good knowledge of local and national government structures (in Zambia and in key Member capitals), parliamentary and political processes and key decision-making structures and how to influence them.
• Undertake a range of lobbying, communications, and other activities to inform and persuade policy makers, including donors and politicians, of the value of SC’s policy recommendations.
• Build systems for research, analysis and documentation that underpin evidence-based advocacy and influencing at national and international levels.
• Develop dissemination and communication strategies for key advocacy messages, together with technical colleagues.
• Produce or manage the production of reports, briefing papers, and presentations for internal and external audiences, as outlined in the advocacy strategy.

Coordination/ Representation

• Develop and cultivate strategic relationships with other agencies engaged in advocacy and policy work in Zambia and International.
• Develop and maintain a network of external contacts with key individuals in the government, donors, NGO sector, Civil Society, and the media.
• Represent Share Vision Network at various policy forums and advocacy opportunities at national and international levels, as directed.
• Act as a spokesperson for Share Vision Network to a variety of external audiences including policy makers and the media if required, as directed.
• Liaise closely with staff in the Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns units within the Members, the Regional Office, and at the Centre, and other fora to integrate and coordinate policy change initiatives throughout SVN members.
• Develop strong links with the Members programmes for advocacy / awareness raising globally.

Campaigns Planning and Delivery

• Lead the development of an integrated campaigns plan aligned with the country strategic plan.
• Lead the implementation of Share Vision Network global campaigns in Zambia.
• Develop policy briefing papers, policy statements and public communication materials related to national, regional and international advocacy issues and priorities.
• In coordination with the programmes team, commission and/or conduct strategic research development to support campaigning efforts including evidence-based, timely data and content.
• Oversee the delivery of planned campaigns including the development of campaign materials and all aspects of implementation, including public mobilization, community engagement and Churches.
• Ensure that all advocacy and campaign messages, documents and strategies are evidence-based, drawn from field experience and assessments, of high quality and effective.

Integrated Policy Programming Support

• Support programme leadership to articulate their top priority advocacy or communications objectives in line with the Country Office Strategic Plan.
• Manage the communications staff/team, ensure delivery of high-quality communications and documentation support to the SVN and programs.
• Ensure development of the SVN communications strategy, towards donors and other external stakeholders.
• Ensure proper planning and engagement in program proposals around communications, branding, and visibility.
• Support the specialists and implementation team/s in defining and articulating thematic policy change objectives.
• Ensure clear links and mutual reinforcement between programmatic approaches and SVN communications, and links external advocacy strategies where appropriate.
• Write regular progress reports as needed, to keep the SVN and regional team updated, and contribute to the regional advocacy updates. Ensure that SVN responds appropriately to emergencies, providing policy analysis and support around humanitarian space issues, and support the Comms focal point to meet emergency comms requirements, including sitreps, fact sheets, updates, and other required products.
• In relation to specific opportunities, contribute where possible to the country leadership decision making to form partnerships which strengthen both programming and resource mobilization outcomes.
• Perform other tasks as required to ensure the smooth running of the SVN country programmes.
• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters.
• Values diversity sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of Bachelor’s, Diploma or Higher in a relevant subject such as Conflict Management, Social Science, Human Rights Development, International Relations, journalism/mass communication.
• Master’s or post graduate degree will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of 3 years demonstrated relevant experience in progressively responsible positions.

Essential

• Experience of influencing and advocacy work including lobbying, policy development and information provision.
• Experience with programs, program development, proposal writing, or implementation a plus.
• Excellent skills in advocating towards government officials.
• Experience of and strong skills in developing and implementing advocacy strategies.
• Proven skills in media and communication work, including interviews on Radio, Social media and TV.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead research, surveys and other activities oriented towards developing positions and evidence base.
• Highly developed communication skills both written and verbal in order to establish effective relationships with a wide variety of internal and external audiences including at a geographical distance.
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner.
• Fluency in Writing and Presentation skills in English required.
• Good attention to detail
• Extensive knowledge of child rights and international law
• Understanding of government and donor operations at country level
• High level analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships quickly with a wide variety of people.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with experience in managing multicultural teams.
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies.
• Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure.

National Grants Coordinator

Key Responsibilities:

Donor and Partner Relationships x 1

• Proactively develop and nurture relationships with donors, partners, and Share Vision Network Support Offices to identify new funding opportunities to meet funding gaps and/or growth in program/projects, which respond to needs in target communities.
• Support the development of donor and partner engagement materials.

Support and/or Lead Opportunity Review and Proposal Development

• Identify and lead proposal development teams to pursue opportunities for funding, which are aligned with Share Vision Network strategic priorities, in a professional and timely manner.
• Provide support to other grants acquisition team members leading other proposals.
• Review funding opportunities in accordance with Share Vision Network policies to determine whether to pursue targeted opportunities or not.
• Conduct partner due diligence and partner capacity assessments in accordance with Share Vision Network policies.

Proposal to Project handover

• Lead and/or support project start up processes to ensure quality handover of projects to the grants management/ implementation teams as guided by the Share Vision Network policies.

Strategy, Planning, and Reporting

• Support the development and monitor the implementation of the resource acquisition strategy and business plan, including reporting metrics.
• Provide information that feed into the weekly grants acquisition report.

Qualifications:

• Masters, Bachelor, or Diploma in a relevant discipline (Social Media, Social sciences, international development, Economics, or any other related field)
• Minimum of 3 years work experience in an International NGO
• Minimum of 1 year in Resource Mobilisation funding from bi-lateral, multi-lateral and large private funders.
• Relevant experience in managing relationships with donors and partners and understanding of key donor requirement – USAID, EU, SIDA; UNDP; UNHCR; World Bank.
• Work experience with other international organizations, large NGOs and/or governmental development agencies
• Proven skills and experience in programme development.