Advocacy and Communications Coordinator – Uganda

Under the supervision of the Regional Director, the Advocacy and Communications (ACC) Coordinator will be responsible for pushing forward the design and implementation of SIHA’s advocacy strategy and for further development of SIHA’s advocacy, policy and communication work. The ‘ACC’ will coordinate with the overall programme team across the Region.

Specific responsibilities

• Under the guidance of the Regional Director , define the advocacy strategy and policy priorities for SIHA based on our Strategic Action plan; lead strategy implementation in the field and advise and support colleagues in advocacy;
• Produce high quality public and private communications and advocacy materials informed by the GHoA context and SIHA members and partners reflections including talking points, letters, briefing notes, position papers, and advocacy reports.
• Work closely with SIHA Research and advocacy officer in drafting and publications designing and reviewing of concern, including , donor representatives, diplomatic missions, local civil society and peer agencies, and grow the SIHA’s bilateral relationships with government counterparts.
• Conduct a robust member mapping and maintain an updated contact list of key targets in-country.
• Promote a principled approach to advocacy, policy and communications on the region among relevant internal stakeholders and ensure that external messaging is evidence-based and driven by field realities.
• Serve as a member of the Management Team to ensure a strategic approach to advocacy engagement.
• In conjunction with country program staff, closely monitor policy debates and media pertaining to the region, ensuring that relevant information is analyzed and disseminated in a timely and effective manner.
• Provide analysis for the Regional Director and Regional Programme Manager and inputs for meetings, as well as key cluster meetings.
• Represent the SIHA in development coordination fora including conferences, lobby meetings, and other events as requested; or provide talking points for other representatives, including the Regional Director.
• Respond to external inquiries on policy issues, including briefing policymakers and media.
• Provide trainings on advocacy to SIHA staff and develop the capacity of staff to implement impactful advocacy and policy interventions.

For this position, you report to the Regional Director.

Requirements

• Strong experience in Advocacy , communication and campaigning with civil society , humanitarian organizations and /or human rights is a pre-request for this post.
• At least 3 years of direct experience with masters degree in communication, human rights or 5 years experience with under graduate degree
• Experience in advocating on behalf of marginalized groups in conflict settings
• Demonstrated creativity, ability to apply innovative thinking and problem-solving skills;
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential, and in Arabic preferable, with demonstrated exceptionally strong writing skills;
• Ability to work well in unstable security environments, and under significant administrative and programmatic pressures;
• Flexible to adapt to changing requirements;
• Culturally sensitive, able and interested in working with a multi-ethnic team;
• Strong commitment to the SIHA’s mission, purpose and values;
• Must be able to work independently while being a team player;

Travel: This position is based in the Regional Office (Uganda). Regular travel across the region

Organizational Profile

Borne of the social justice movement, the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network is an indigenous African women’s rights organisation with a soul. Our organisation was created by women activists from Somaliland, Ethiopia, and Sudan in the mid-1990s. Today we continue to work as an inclusive and diverse feminist women’s rights network that holds a unique position working as a regional civil society organisation in politically volatile contexts. SIHA works in a variety of cultural, political, and geographical environments in Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, Somaliland, Sudan and South Sudan. Read more

Our Values:

Equality, Solidarity, Ethical, Diligence, Transparency, Humility, Resilience, Critical-thinking, disciplined, Courageous, Integral, Empathy, Collectiveness, determination, Rationality, Diversity, Innovation, Democracy, learning, Self-critical

*Female candidates with relevant experience are encouraged to apply*