Policy Advocacy Manager

The Global Executive Office plays a pivotal and strategic role in governance and internal alignment. The Department coordinates DNDi’s three continental regional office groupings and the Policy Advocacy team.  

The Policy Advocacy team works to enhance DNDi’s influence and secure political support for decisive changes to the global and regional R&D ecosystems that are failing to ensure R&D innovation for equitable access to health tools for neglected populations. 

DNDi established its Eastern Africa office in Nairobi in 2003. DNDi Eastern Africa fosters R&D and access partnerships across Eastern Africa and beyond and plays a central role in delivering DNDi's global strategy. It leads regional networks and initiatives in R&D and access. It is also home to DNDi’s Data Centre, which processes and leads the statistical analysis of clinical trial data for DNDi and a growing cadre of African global health and science groups. 

The Policy Advocacy Manage role  is global  ( 75%) accountable for developing and implementing specific advocacy strategies and contributing to the development of the global advocacy strategy development, undertaking research and analysis, developing policy advocacy content and tools, providing matrix support to colleagues undertaking policy advocacy in different regions, and providing strategic administrative support to the Director of Policy Advocacy. 15% is dedicated to advocacy support to specific elements of DNDI’s African regional strategy.  The incumbent is responsible to support DNDi’s efforts to document lessons learned, engage stakeholders, develop champions, and promote policy actions to advance the adoption of progressive R&D policies to meet the needs of neglected patients. 

Specific Job Responsibilities 

• Undertake research and analysis −including policy landscape analyses, stakeholders mapping, lessons learned by DNDi, etc. − and develop policy advocacy content and tools including white papers and policy briefs. 

• Develop targeted advocacy strategies to influence policy change  

• Contribute to technical analyses of policies and practices impacting innovation and access to medical tools, and propose/ prioritize specific actions where DNDi, and partners could be influential. 

• Coordinate specific advocacy activities/ campaigns engaging various stakeholders and manage projects and events. 

• Provide matrix support to colleagues undertaking policy advocacy activities in various regions, with a particular focus (15%) on East Africa, African Union and Africa CDC and other DNDI departments (e.g.  funders managed by External Relations teams) 

• Collaborate with the Communications teams to help develop and disseminate policy positions through opinion pieces, social media and other means. 

• Contribute, through internal communications, to developing internal knowledge and the ability of colleagues to represent policy positions. 

• Provide project management support to the Policy Advocacy Director and team. 

 General duties 

• Coordinate policy advocacy team meetings 

• Support documentation, tracking, and delivery of policy team deliverables and KPIs 

The above list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and you may be required to undertake other responsibilities appropriate to your grade. This job description may be subject to review. 

• Policy Advocacy Manager reports to the Policy Advocacy Director
• Secondary reporting line to the Africa Continental Lead & Office Director
• Work with Communication and External Relation teams, regional offices, and R&D teams at DNDi  
• Work extensively with external partners including civil society groups, thinktanks, government representatives, multilateral agencies’ experts, and policy leads in science, research, and public health institutions. 
• The position has a representational role through the promotion of policy advocacy objectives and maintain productive relationships by projecting the image of a credible partner. 

• Minimum 6 years' relevant experience in which at least 4 years at Senior Officer level
• A track record of policy analysis preferably in  public health  and knowledge of global health , development or science policy.
• Proven experience of developing and implementing successful advocacy strategies and campaigns, including awareness building initiatives with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in policy advocacy on the Africa continent.  Experience in the East African context a plus. 
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and matrix structure
• Experience of working in public and private sector is highly desirable
• Graduate degree with equivalent experience to reach masters level in international relations, public health, public affairs or a related field, or demonstrably equivalent experience through grassroots engagement, preferably with applied work in community, national or global advocacy. 

• Strong ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines
• Clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates good judgment and problem-solving competencies
• Strong communication skills in multicultural, multi-lingual environments
• Strong ability to work effectively as part of a multicultural team
• Well organized and structured
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong ability to provide high level support in project/program delivery
• Strong ability to manage medium/large projects with budget management
• Strategic thinking and leadership abilities
• Strong management, negotiation, and advocacy skills
• Has autonomy for taking actions and decisions
• Strong ability to interact with external stakeholders
• Lead and motivate a small team for optimum performance, supervising junior staff
• Commitment to a more inclusive and equitable R&D system. 
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to critically analyze, summarize, and apply complex information from internal and external sources. 
• Excellent writing and communication skills, including the ability to produce and present advocacy materials to expert and general audiences. 
• Strong project management skills. 

• Fluency in English
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Suite

DNDi is committed to building a diverse, equitable and truly inclusive organisation. Our success and global reach are dependent upon our ability to encourage diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We particularly welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in at DNDi and across the sector, especially women, and including, but not limited to, black and minority ethnic candidates, and those with other protected characteristic.