Requisition ID: req57542

Job Title: Policy and Advocacy Manager

Sector: Education

Employment Category: Regular

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Work Arrangement:

Job Description

This role is open to current IRC Employees Only

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

PlayMatters is a consortium project, led by the IRC and includes Plan International, War Child Holland, Behavioral Insights Team, and Innovations for Poverty Action in partnership with the LEGO Foundation. PlayMatters promotes an active teaching method that capitalizes on a child’s natural desire to engage in play, focusing on building skills so that teachers and communities to intentionally plan to deliver contextually and age-appropriate guided play experiences to achieve specific learning objectives. PlayMatters promotes LtP experiences that promote child-centered learning, allowing peer interactions that provide children aged 3-12+ with the platform to question, experiment, practice, and discover, developing critical skills that they need to thrive today and in the future.

Job Overview:

The Policy and Advocacy Manger will support the collaboration efforts with the Ministry of Education under the Teacher Professional Development around the integration of LtP implementation strategy with active engagement of key education stakeholders at Federal and target regions of the PlayMatters project. The ideal candidate will possess excellent knowledge of the Ethiopian Education policy framework, strategies, and priorities as well as demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the current policy reforms undertaken by the MOE. H/she must be a great team player and self-starter with excellent communication skills and analytical ability.

The post-holder will report to the PlayMatters Project Coordinator with additional oversight and support from the Regional Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor based in Uganda. The incumbent will also coordinate with closely work with Plan International Ethiopia Policy and advocacy focal point and other staff of the PlayMatters consortium.

Major Responsibilities:

Technical Support to the MoE

• In coordination with relevant Ministry staff, undertake activities identified by the MoE and mutually agreed by the two parties (MoE & IRC) and indicated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the MoE and the IRC Ethiopia (representing the PlayMatters Consortium).

  Lead implementation of policy and advocacy activities of the PM Project

• Jointly work with the Regional Policy & Advocacy Advisor to conduct a stake holder analysis and to develop a country-specific engagement and policy influence strategy that is continuously updated as contexts evolve and change.

• Oversee advocacy outreach efforts including the development of evidence-based policy briefs, presentations, advocacy statements, talking points, and training materials, and responding to relevant advocacy moments with messages and materials related to the PlayMatters project;

• In alignment with the PlayMatters initiative, identify policy priorities, plan, develop, and implement an intentional and comprehensive framework for local advocacy and policy implementation and adjustment efforts for inclusion of LtP into education delivery systems;

• Undertake stake-holder mapping, preparing problem analysis framework, identifying paths to influence partners & key messages, creating detailed annual, monthly & weekly plans for advocacy/engagement activities;

• Build and maintain excellent networks and working relations with partners and stake-holders so that they buy into and accept ownership of the PlayMatters project;

• Organize and coordinate advocacy/engagement activities within IRC and PlayMatters Consortium including meetings, steering groups, campaign days, social media campaigns, media/radio broadcasts, conferences, workshops, and progress reports;

• Ensure that advocacy activities are accurately budgeted, detailed and information is entered and stored effectively to facilitate effective monitoring and evaluation of project outcomes

• Coordinate with the MEAL and Research teams to facilitate the use of evidence in policy decision-making.

• Prepare advocacy messages and communication materials, identify appropriate forums and venues to engage with relevant and key education actors in Ethiopia

• Research and review education and training policies and strategies of the MOE and present key messages on play-based learning to influence relevant MoE, RRS, Regional Education Bureau (REB) and key education partners

• Review teacher training curricula and advocate with relevant institutions to include LtP methodology in CTE training packages

• Act as project spokesperson on advocacy issues where appropriate and take part in relevant country advocacy, as guided by key partners

  Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• · Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]

• · Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

  #LI-DNI

  Qualifications

  Educational Requirements:

• MA/BA degree from an accredited university in education, international development, social sciences, or related field.

  Preferred experience & skills:

• Minimum of Three/ Four years of advocacy/stakeholder engagement experience and demonstrable results of influencing others

• Proven track record of and knowledge of engaging with government policies, strategies, priorities, systems, and structure.

• Demonstrated success in staff capacity-building and participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming and implementation.

• Demonstrated success in developing advocacy and/or communications strategies.

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct presentations and facilitate workshops.

• Strong (creative/interactive) training skills.

• Strong supervision, coaching, communication skills and s trong planning skills

• Able to quickly and with attention to detail identify needs/gaps and work towards solutions.

• Cultural sensitivity

• Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time

• Strong analytic problem-solving skills

• Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional global team structure

• Ability to manage and work through change proactively and positively.

  Language Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Amharic as well as, an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications.

  Reporting

• Reports to – PM Project Coordinator

• Works closely with- PM Project Manager, Sr. RMEAL Manager, and Outcome leads.

  Working Environment:

• Travel: Expected travel 30% of the time

  Disclaimer : - Please note that IRC will never request applicants or candidates to make any form of payment at any stage of the recruitment process.

  IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

  IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.