Advocacy & Communications Officer

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Position Title: Advocacy & Communications Officer
Location: Choma
Country: Zambia
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
Action Against Hunger is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to ending hunger. Established to innovate solutions and advocate for change, it reaches 28 million people annually through proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. The organization operates in 55 countries with a workforce of approximately 8,990 dedicated staff members, who partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. Action Against Hunger USA is part of the international network and manages operations in 8 countries including Zambia, where it has been operational since 2021, implementing both development and humanitarian programs.

Job Overview:
The Advocacy & Communications Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the Advocacy and Communications Unit to enhance Action Against Hunger's advocacy efforts across various levels of government and regional decision-makers. This position is pivotal in aligning and streamlining internal advocacy initiatives through the development of evidence-based policy positions and coordinating advocacy activities. The officer will be responsible for facilitating and supporting advocacy and engagement structures at local, regional, and national levels to promote the organization's mission. The role involves close collaboration with project offices and technical specialists to develop and deliver advocacy capacity-building activities, ensuring that advocacy and communication strategies are effectively implemented across country office projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the Advocacy & Communications Officer include assisting with government relations and influencing policies related to social protection and nutrition financing in international development. The officer will support relationship-building with key stakeholders such as government officials, parliamentarians, and decision-makers to achieve advocacy objectives. Additionally, the officer will aid in policy research and product development by supporting the creation of policy products like briefing notes and policy statements. Project management responsibilities include organizing external meetings and events, drafting reports, tracking results of advocacy initiatives, and ensuring robust organizational advocacy systems. The officer will also facilitate training in advocacy skills for country office staff and support the development of advocacy and communication action plans.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in social science or a related field, along with at least 4 years of work experience in an advocacy and communication role, preferably within an NGO context. Membership in a relevant professional body is also required. The position demands a strong understanding of the lobbying and policy development landscape, knowledge of the charity sector, and experience in policy and advocacy work, particularly in international development and Africa. Proven skills in drafting various advocacy products and the ability to translate complex information for non-technical audiences are essential.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in social science or a related field is required for this position. This educational background should provide a solid foundation in understanding social issues, policy development, and advocacy strategies relevant to the nonprofit sector.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience in advocacy and communication roles, particularly within NGOs. Candidates should have a proven track record of successful policy and advocacy work, ideally in international development contexts, with a preference for those who have experience working in Africa.

Languages:
Excellent English language skills are mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is set for a duration of 18 months. The role requires regular attendance at the workplace, with the expectation of working outside normal office hours or on weekends as necessary. The officer must be prepared for domestic and international travel, which may involve exposure to high-security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security risks and basic living conditions in the field. Action Against Hunger is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, providing equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on race, gender, or other characteristics.