Job Description
Advocacy Officer Job Reference: AO/COMMS/02/2024
The Advocacy Officer will collaborate with internal teams and external partners to effectively engage key stakeholders around institutional advocacy themes, mobilize support, and achieve a shared position in line with continental food systems agenda. Reporting to the Head – Advocacy and external Engagements and in close coordination with the Policy and Advocacy Unit, the ideal candidate will support AGRA’s engagements and ambitions in the countries where we work and at regional level and also work closely with Monitoring and Evaluation and Knowledge Management teams to amplify AGRA’s, advocacy agenda in line with the country and continental vision 2065.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
• Identify and share best practices and case studies for effective advocacy work to ensure AGRA is continuously positioning right in the countries where we work.
• Support the generation and execution of advocacy campaigns with key internal and external stakeholders and agencies.
• Build and maintain a database of relevant institutional stakeholders to foster collaboration and support for advocacy initiatives across key strategic themes that will accelerate progress toward advocacy goals
• Develop and implement engagement strategies to effectively promote the organization’s mission and initiatives.
• Facilitate advocacy training materials for AGRA staff to ensure capacity to execute.
• Organize and coordinate advocacy events, workshops, and campaigns to facilitate dialogue and drive measurable action.
• Working with other teams, develop and coordinate the production of compelling communication materials, including, reports, press releases, articles, and social media content to enhance engagement efforts.
• cross-functional projects and initiatives that require advocacy and engagement expertise.
• Support the Unit and Division to execute advocacy communication plans that would trigger a Foods Systems transformation at the country and regional level. This will involve working with advocacy experts in government, non-state actors (especially civil society farmers’ organizations, and the private sector), with a focus to communications and engagements and development partners to stimulate dialogue and action in service of the African Food System.
• Working with Country Plans to support critical stakeholders to lead and leverage the communications advocacy agenda for select priority.
• Develop monthly content plans targeted to key audiences and support country teams to execute plans.
• Establish & track/report on relevant metrics and tools to monitor and evaluate the impact of advocacy and engagement strategies.
Key Qualifications and Experience Required:
• Master’s degree in international relations, Political Science, Economics, Development Studies, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
• Knowledge and experience in project management and report writing.
• Ability to translate program-based concepts into effective innovative solutions.
• Multi-media experience and working knowledge of digital platforms.
• Ability to translate program-based concepts into effective innovative solutions.
• Senior-level management experience in advocacy or public relations with solid expertise in working with proven stakeholder engagement tools and practices.
• Demonstrated understanding of Africa’s policy and political economy landscape as it relates to agriculture and food systems.
• Must be great at execution with international expertise.
• Knowledge of working with or in multi-lateral or bilateral organizations.