Director Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships

Position description

The Director, Advocacy and Strategic 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 policy, advocacy, and partnership strategies for Kenya. The role involves acting as a highly visible external representative, engaging with government officials, development partners (donors), and other stakeholders to advance Living Goods’ priorities and enhance its visibility and influence. The Director is responsible for managing and supervising all advocacy and government relations in Kenya and will lead a cross-functional team focused on advocacy, community health systems strengthening, health financing and resource mobilization. The Director will also work closely with the Global Business Development, Advocacy, and Communications teams across Kenya, Uganda, Burkina Faso and the United States to optimize strategic and operational synergies.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Country Director and cross-functional teams to develop and execute the Living Goods Kenya policy, advocacy and partnerships strategy to advance community health system strengthening through the integration of a professionalized, high-quality community health workforce;
• Lead & coordinate policy development and influencing efforts at local and national levels to advance the adoption of sustainable, high-impact community health strategies that incorporate a professionalized community health workforce;
• Develop and deploy strategic communications and compelling advocacy messages to advance Living Goods’ advocacy priorities, leveraging the organization’s evidence and learnings;
• Lead the country health financing function to mobilize resources for community health programming by supporting the costing, budgeting, and operationalization of community health investments by government, ensuring alignment with Kenya’s health priorities and LG’s model;
• Drive domestic resource mobilization efforts by engaging with key government ministries and partners to influence policy and budget decisions, strengthen integration of community health into national and county health financing frameworks, and secure sustainable public funding for community health programming;
• Provide oversight and management of strategic partnerships with stakeholders, including government agencies, donors, and health implementing partners, to influence stakeholder priorities and advance LG’s advocacy and resource mobilization objectives;
• Serve as a strategic external representative of LG, including in high-level meetings and forums, promoting and effectively communicating our approach to enhance thought leadership and position the organization as a trusted partner to government and priority stakeholders;
• Contribute 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;
• Coordinate with in country and global business development 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 recognized university;
• Bachelor’s degree in medical, Public Health or related field;
• At least 10 years of experience working in government, advocacy and/or public affairs aimed at influencing policy change in Kenya (national or sub-national), preferably related to health;
• Experience in high-level advocacy engagements, influencing or contributing to national policies and strategies and funding;
• Proven track record of securing strategic partnerships and funding for health and/or development programs;
• Experience in strategic communications, including media engagement;
• Strong experience working with various donors, including World Bank, Global Fund, Gavi, DFID/FCDO, UN Agencies (UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA), and philanthropic foundations;
• Existing relationships and connections within the Kenyan health sector (desirable);
• Experience developing and managing efforts to influence policymakers, institutional funders, and other external stakeholders.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong experience in leading advocacy in Kenya;
• Deep understanding of the global health ecosystem; including policy, and legal frameworks, and MOH strategy, guidelines relating to Primary Health Care and community health;
• Experience and success in health financing – understanding of country financing landscape: including domestic financing mechanisms – SHIF/SHA. FIF, Primary; Healthcare fund, Chronic Illnesses Fund, National & County budget as well as disbursement processes as related Community Health;
• Demonstrable experience in policy development and implementation at national level and understanding of health service delivery;
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with high levels of integrity – diplomatic and engaging;
• Ability to build commitment through collaboration, consultation, and stakeholder engagement;
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills, including public speaking and writing;
• Sound understanding of health trends related to: RMNCAH, health workforce development, climate, gender programming and digital health.

Application instructions

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