Major Responsibilities:

Technical support, Management and Coordination of WV AU Liaison Office

• Closely engage with the EAR, WAR and SAR Advocacy Teams to coordinate and align WV’s engagement with the AU on strategy, policy and partnerships.
• Coordinate with AU Member States, leveraging their policy expertise and influencing opportunities.
• Coordinate with other WV ‘Global Capital’ offices leveraging expertise & synergies between EU, UN and AU influencing opportunities.
• Contribute to, and draw on, EAR, WAR and SAR Advocacy Teams and community of practice for policy and campaign direction, content, expertise and analysis.
• Ensure timely planning and reporting contributions to World Vision’s AU Engagement Plan.
• Liaise with and draw on WV’s external engagement and policy expertise in priority themes and sectors including: child protection and participation, livelihoods, humanitarian aid and faith & development.

Development of advocacy policy briefs and position papers/External Engagement and Policy Influence on Government Commitments

• Lead WV’s contribution to the SDG Regional Africa Forum in collaboration with Child Focused Agencies and the UN Economic Commission for Africa.
• Facilitate and coordinate child participation to influence AUC policies, systems and structures that affect their well-being, including AU agenda 2040.
• Proactively participate in donor engagements in development of strategies and donor priorities.
• Develop position papers, policy briefs, statements and calls to action in collaboration with ROs (EARO, SARO and WARO) and FOs to on social accountability using CVA to influence the AU.
• Manage implementation, reporting, follow-up and renewal of the MOU between WV and the AUC.

Provide leadership on Advocating on Ending Violence Against Children with the AUC

• Coordinate a high-level panel during the Heads of State Summit in collaboration with the JFA.
• Facilitate Field Offices to collaborate with national networks and prepare alternative reports to the Committee on implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
• Lead and develop WV’s statements for the Committee sessions for the Regional Leader and organize for WV FOs to participate virtually.
• Facilitate the incorporation of children views in the development of State Party and alternative reports to the Committee.
• Collaborate with the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage, FGM and Harmful Practices and participate in the Technical Working Group.
• Guide WV’s representation in all AUC meetings, conferences, summits in collaboration with ROs and FOs.
• Coordinate ROs (EARO, SARO and WARO) and FOs to develop or contribute to WV statements, policy briefs or calls to action for the AU to change or implement policies, laws, structures, procedures, standards or guidelines.
• Support and prepare senior leaders (e.g. Regional Leaders) for high-level external engagement and representation meetings.

Humanitarian Advocacy

• Convene and organize side meetings and workshops at the AU to project WV’s voice on issues impacting on children (e.g. panelists)
• Amplify the voice of faith leaders in peace and conflict resolution in collaboration with the All Africa Council of Churches (AACC) AU Liaison Office.
• Lead in the development of WV’s statements for the AU Peace and Security Council sessions for the Regional Leader and organize for WV FOs and ROs (EARO, SARO and WARO) to participate virtually.
• Represent WV in and influence the outcome documents of the AU Coordination Group on Children in Situations of Conflict.
• Provide oversight on policy briefs, calls to action and statements by WV to influence the AUC humanitarian and peace policies, statements and structures.

Networking and Collaboration

• Facilitate strategic linkages between WV and like – minded organizations and others to enlist wider support of World Vision’s campaign and advocacy priority issues.
• Engage media to increase WV brand, awareness and “voice” on key issues and events; promote and protect WV’s public image and brand.
• Be the link for communication on AU advocacy issues, trends, emerging best practices and other initiatives within WV.
• Develop and update humanitarian and child rights policy positions and messaging on a regular basis to parallel context changes.
• Build strategic relationships with aligned policy and advocacy NGOs and civil society with a focus on children.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Prepare and submit reports timely to the Regional Advocacy and External Engagement Director.
• Lead in the analysis, monitoring, and reporting of AU policies.
• Prepare quarterly and annual progress reports on the implementation of the MOU between WV and the AUC.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in policy influencing at the national or regional level with the AUC, government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, donors, UN, development partners or regional economic communities e.g. EAC, SADC or ECOWAS.
• Hand’s on advocacy and external engagement at the regional, national, and local level of a developing country.
• Experience leading on child rights or child-focused issues in development and humanitarian contexts.
• Excellent research, policy analysis and report writing skills.
• Minimum 7 years policy and advocacy experience on developmental and humanitarian policy issues.
• Excellent understanding of the role of the AU in humanitarian emergencies, its departments and ways of working.
• Experience in external engagement/lobbying with high level stakeholders (Ministerial, Ambassadorial or Heads of States or Government)
• Experiences in networking and building coalitions.
• Experience in developing systems to capture and measure impact of advocacy activities.
• Experience working with the AU and RECs (and other multi-lateral or inter-governmental organisations) is an advantage.

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Knowledge on Child Rights and regional bodies especially the African Union, East African Community and IGAD
• Knowledge of advocacy, social accountability and child protection issues
• Excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills, particularly in a cross-cultural environment
• Planning and organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple activities
• Research experience especially in policy and advocacy
• Understanding of humanitarian and fragile contexts
• Masters’ Degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Politics, Public Administration, Law or its equivalent

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local and International Applicants (IA’s) Accepted