POSITION ANNOUCEMENT
Advocacy Coordinator South Africa
Based in Johannesburg
The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), a program of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), provides strategic advocacy assistance on global public health issues in the area of obesity prevention, among others. The objective is to stimulate policy change that will reduce obesity levels in specified low-and middle-income countries by supporting and assisting in-country partners advocating for the passage and implementation of four key policies and through raising public awareness as described below:
- Banning junk food and sugary beverage advertising to children;
- Higher taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages;
- Regulating the supply of unhealthy foods and beverages to public sector institutions, particularly schools;
- Improving front of package labelling on packaged or processed foods and beverages; and
- Raising public awareness through social marketing campaigns.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The South Africa Coordinator will have direct oversight of the project on-the-ground in South Africa and will support in-country partners to carry out a coordinated advocacy campaign that ultimately leads to policy change. The Coordinator will report directly to the Associate Director Obesity Prevention Programs at the GHAI in Washington, DC and will work closely with the GHAI obesity prevention team and partners on the ground.
Objective: The ideal advocacy coordinator will have had experience in advocacy campaigns for policy change in South Africa and have a good sense of the politics, players, and strategies that impact policy development and passage. S/he will have knowledge of the policy-making process in South Africa, proven ability to develop and work in partnership with multiple stakeholders and experience in dealing with senior government officers and political leadership. Knowledge of/background in public health and, specifically, obesity prevention is desirable.
This is a full time coordinator position based in Johannesburg. This position is a 12 months assignment with possible renewal.
Primary Duties Include:
- Coordinate work of in-country funded partners to advance obesity prevention policies in South Africa.
- Assist partners to develop and implement work plans that feed into a coordinated overarching advocacy strategy that leverages each partner’s strengths and minimizes duplication;
- Assist with contractual and administrative needs.
- Monitor partner performance to ensure deliverables are met and modify work plans as needed.
- Continuously appraise the policy landscape and ensure that partners are taking advantage of opportunities.
- Facilitate in-person meetings with partners at least on a quarterly basis and monthly telephone meetings between partners and the GHAI.
- Provide and/or facilitate technical assistance to partners as needed.
- Act as the primary liaison between GHAI and implementing partners for needed technical, administrative and financial information, and
- Help build strategic relationships with government, non-government and other organizations that have a stake in obesity prevention.
Requirements:
- Bachelor or Master’s degree in public health or public policy; law degree or other related degree with focus on health highly desirable.
- A minimum of 10 years of professional experience coordinating and managing projects, including advocacy or policy change; proven ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with government stakeholders, NGO partners, and international organizations at various levels.
- Demonstrated success in planning and conducting advocacy activities (direct contact, media, public activations) ideally on health-related policies, including planning and conducting advocacy campaigns to achieve policy outcomes.
- Ability to strategize with and coordinate multiple organizations working toward a policy goal.
- Strong understanding of government policy-making processes.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment while juggling multiple projects and deadlines.
- Interest in public health, commitment to public interest work, and experience on obesity prevention/food policy issues a plus.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate (verbally and in writing) complex issues in a concise, compelling, and easily understandable manner.
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively as a member of a dynamic and dispersed team.
- Ability to work effectively and to report and communicate regularly and promptly with supervisor in a long distance management set-up.
- A track record of working in an empowering and culturally sensitive style with an array of CSOs, government officials and partners, and
- Proven ability to translate organizational program strategies, priorities, plans and budgets into result-oriented activity plans at country-level.
TO APPLY: To apply for this position, please email a cover letter, including salary history, and attach your resume to: jobs@tobaccofreekids.org. Please reference code: ACSA-13. Our target hire date is July 15, 2016; however, resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. CTFK is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from individuals who will contribute to its diversity.
