Advocacy and Policy Influencing Specialist At School for Life (SfL)

March 1st, 2022 at 07:19 am

School for Life (SfL) is a local Non-Governmental Organization that works to strengthen Civil Society’s role in improving access to relevant quality education. SfL supports civil society playing a strong role in pushing for equitable access to quality education, thus contributing to SDG 4 and SDG 5.

School for Life engages in evidence-based advocacy and collaborates closely with civil society education actors and education authorities on district, regional and national level. School for Life strives to be a center of excellence that inspires breakthroughs in education.

School for Life is leading a Consortium including YEFL-Ghana and the Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA) to implement a new project: “Citizens Led Action for Educational Accountability and Responsiveness in Ghana” (CLEAR), sponsored by Global Partnership for Education’s fund for advocacy and social accountability “Education Out Loud” and managed by OXFAM IBIS.

The project is aimed at contributing to equitable access to quality basic education for children in deprived areas of Ghana by strengthening transparency and accountability through citizens generated data and the facilitation of spaces for advocacy and stakeholder engagements.

Job Description

Location: Accra/Tamale with travels to operational districts in and outside Northern Region
Reports to: Programme Director
Duration: Minimum of 2 years (with possibility of extension)

Job Summary

The position is a full-time position based in either Accra or Tamale. The position holder shall serve as a policy influencing and advocacy specialist. He/she shall lead the implementation of policy and advocacy work at the national level.

This includes conducting regular policy events and developing policy products as the basis of advocacy. He/she will specifically be responsible to conduct convenings, write policy briefs, maintain day-to-day coordination with alliances and coalitions at the national level, and develop strategic advocacy issues on public basic education.

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Together with the project manager, the position holder will provide support to project staff to strengthen capacity on policy advocacy techniques or methods in relation to the project objectives. This will include training on policy advocacy and provide strategic input to policy products to ensure School for Life and Consortium partners’ position on equity in public basic education is articulated strategically.

Monitor and analyze educational issues at the national level, and advise SfL and project consortium members on policy influencing actions
Engage and work with the CLEAR consortium members and partners to plan and implement pro-active influencing strategies that deliver CLEAR objectives
Coordinate national lobbying and influencing policy aimed at government agencies, networks and other relevant stakeholders on public basic education
Represent School for Life and engage with a range of key external stakeholders, including consortium members, Sector Ministries and departments, forums, working groups, think tanks, academia, and other key advocacy audiences
Deliver a range of influencing activities including events, debates, forums and undertaking publications, policy briefs, communiques, drafting position papers and briefings, convening policy dialogue with policymakers, social stakeholders, and others.
Follow key influencing processes and provide briefings and updates as required to consortium members and SfL as well as partners
Draft and communicate analysis and insight of key policy and political trends and issues for internal and external audiences
Follow the news and politics closely and proactively see opportunities for the CLEAR project and consortium members
Track, monitor and evaluate CLEAR influencing strategies and contribute to team planning, budgeting, and annual reporting
Develop, implement, and evaluate CLEAR policy and advocacy strategy toward influencing key stakeholders to promote equity in public basic education
Together with the project team, lead the effort to increase visibility of issues related to equity and accountability in public basic education, as well as CLEAR’s work in improving same
Lead the development and strengthening of strategic partnerships and alliances with key stakeholders
Assess the potential impact of Government policy decisions and advise management on the necessary course of action

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Required Skills or Experience

Master degree in communications, Social Sciences or other relevant qualifications from a recognized university
At least 5 years proven experience work with CSOs in advocacy and policy influencing
Good knowledge of the basic education sector and the policy arena in Ghana
Interest in policy and ability to bring about change
Good written and verbal communication skills, to absorb complex information and present it to different audiences in a clear and accessible way
Interpersonal skills, to work and build relationships with a range of people with diverse views
Ability to understand diverse perspectives and be able to successfully influence and negotiate
Effective research and analysis skills (including quantitative and qualitative), needed to build an evidence base
Good organisation skills, to track priorities, work to deadlines and manage projects
Flexible and adaptable approach, in order to respond to shifting priorities and a rapidly evolving external environment