Adeso
Organization – Adeso: African Development Solutions, www.adesoafrica.org
Position Title – Advocacy and Influencing Manager
Reporting To – Chief Innovation Officer
Working Closely With – All levels of the organization
Duty Station – Washington, DC
Duration – 1 Year
Starting Date – Immediately
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Adeso is a vibrant African-based development and humanitarian organization. At Adeso, we work with African communities that are on the path toward realizing their full potential by working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy. For the past 30 years, we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer, and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future.
Currently, Adeso has programs in Somalia. In addition, Adeso has proven itself to be one of the foremost leaders in the ongoing global effort to decolonize the humanitarian and development aid system. Adeso currently leads coalitions to re-imagine aid to shift power, resources, and decision making toward Global South communities where they will ultimately be the most effective, enduring and transformative. Adeso is a great place to work that is currently experiencing managed rapid growth.
POSITION ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Advocacy and Influencing Manager will report to the Chief Innovation Officer. Based in Washington, DC, this person should be a self-starter who will take Adeso to the next level in our advocacy work. The position will be responsible for advocacy, policy development, and strategic relationship management in line with Adeso’s leadership in global Systems Change to decolonize the aid and development sectors. Strong advocacy acumen and writing skills, outstanding relationship-building skills, and strong existing network are necessary to succeed in this position. Furthermore, the person in this role is expected to be knowledgeable of, and wholeheartedly dedicated to, the aims of decolonization and rethinking the global aid system.
The position includes the following responsibilities:
Policy & Advocacy
- With senior leadership team, develop Adeso’s policy framework and workplan.
- Develop Adeso’s outreach to influential stakeholders in the decolonizing aid and localization spaces.
- Provide economic and political analysis as needed to ensure Adeso’s strategic position and growing role as a key player in the global aid and funding spaces.
- Lead thoughtful responses to key policy changes, like USAID’s pledge to grant 25% of funds directly to local organizations, that advance Adeso’s goals for decolonization and it’s role as an influencer towards bi-lateral donors.
- Lead and expand Adeso’s influencing work within the US Government towards improving legislative barriers to decolonizing aid.
- Manage Adeso’s representation at global coordination bodies, including Grand Bargain.
- Analyze and report on relevant global policy trends, humanitarian dimensions and key developments within multilateral agencies (UN, World Bank, etc.); identify opportunities and develop clear recommendations for policymakers.
- Write/create and publish key advocacy materials in support of Adeso’s strategic goals on various platforms, including media outlets like the New York Times.
- Develop Adeso’s outreach to influential stakeholders (government, policy makers, civil society organizations, networks, media and more) and oversee the planning and implementation of influencing events.
- Coordinate and partner with organizations like NEAR on common positioning and joint-advocacy opportunities.
- Represent Adeso in policy-oriented networks, such as MFAN.
INGO Influencing
- Lead the next phases of Adeso’s Pledge for Change Coalition of INGOs, by creating advocacy materials and organizing key opportunities to publicize and advocate for the coalition’s goals.
- Manage key relationships with Pledge for Change members and support their continued leadership for decolonizing aid.
- Once Pledges are public, recruit more Pledge for Change members.
- Liaise with policy, advocacy and communications colleagues from each participating INGO to ensure a cohesive strategy.
- Establish and foster key relationships with other INGOs to influence their joining the Pledge for Change and furthering Adeso’s decolonization goals.
Strategic Relationship Management
- Lead the process of identifying, cultivating, and managing on-going partnerships with individuals, organizations, government agencies, and bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors across the humanitarian and development sector.
- Support the Chief Innovation Officer (CINO) to lead Adeso’s influencing and policy change work to decolonize aid.
- Support the CINO in fundraising for Adeso’s work, including writing concept notes and proposals that are in support of the influencing strategy.
- Create communications pieces, opinion pieces, articles and case studies.
- Lead the process of identifying, cultivating, and managing on-going partnerships with individuals, organizations, government agencies, and bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors across the humanitarian and development sector.
- Support the CINO to lead Adeso’s influencing and policy work to decolonize aid.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- As a prerequisite, the successful candidate must believe in the core values of Adeso and be driven by the mission. The candidate should demonstrate a passion for breaking new ground to lead change.
- A self-starter team player, with the ability to work independently who will help Adeso create a US presence in DC, ready to advocate for decolonizing aid.
- Experience working with civil society organizations and with policy makers.
- Bachelor’s degree in Political Science or related field required. Graduate degree highly desired.
- Exceptional writing skills, including proven experience producing advocacy and policy materials.
- Ability to think strategically, anticipate future consequences and trends.
- Evidence of good decision making, setting priorities, critical thinking skills, high level of business acumen and the ability to balance the delivery of programs against the reality of the budget
- High degree of self-confidence and ability to communicate well with both internal and external partners.
How to apply
This is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional. If you would like to join this dynamic team, please submit your application to [email protected] quoting the position in the email subject matter. Applications will be reviewed on rolling basis. Position open until filled.
Each application should be addressed to Human Resources Department and include the following:
- Cover letter with applicant’s current contact information as well as remuneration requirements;
- CV including detailed work experience, education/degrees, details of similar assignments, and three professional references with complete contact information.
Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. Only short- listed candidates will be contacted. Adeso is an equal opportunity employer.