World Vision Ethiopia began its first intervention in Ethiopia in 1971 with relief and opened the Ethiopia office in 1975. Relief, rehabilitation and small community development projects dominated the decade that followed. During the 1984/85 drought, World Vision Ethiopia participated in a massive relief operation that saved the lives of millions of people.

Purpose of the job

The Head of World Vision’s Africa Union Liaison Office will provide overall technical support on advocacy, as well as management and coordination of World Vision AU Liaison Office with the African Union Commission (AUC). He or she is responsible for building relations with World Vision Ethiopia. The Head of WV’s AU Liaison Office will coordinatewith AU MemberStatesand WV Global Capitals,leveraging their policy expertise and influencing opportunities. He or she will provide technical support, leadership and coordination in WV’s advocacy and engagement with the AU Commission, member states, the African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), Child Focused Agencies, donors and UN Economic Commission for Africa. This is aligned with the partnership strategy, Our Promise Phase II, Going Further, 2030. The three areas of advocacy and external engagement will include 1) No child is left behind through the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs framework, 2) All children are protected from violence such as ending child marriage, FGM and access to education, (It Takes A Worldto End Violence Against Children Campaign) and 3) Rights of children are prioritised in response to humanitarian crisis including the COVID 19 pandemic. The role provides technical support to World Vision Field Offices and Regional Offices across Africa, thought leadership and share experience in influencing AUC policies, systems and structures.

Major Responsibilities

Technical Support, Management and Coordination of WV AU Liaison Office

• Closely engage with the East Africa, , West Africa and Southern Africa Regional Offices Advocacy Teams to coordinate and align WV’s engagement with the AU on strategy, policy and partnerships;
• Coordinate with AU MemberStates, 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 Teamsand community of practice for policy and campaign direction, content, expertise andanalysis;
• 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.
• Expected end results
  • Influenced WV’s engagement with AU on strategy, policy and partnerships.
  • Coordinated with AU member states and WV Global Capitals
  • Complete relevant planning and reporting
  • Involve other sectors such as child protection and participation, livelihoods, humanitarian aid, faith and 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 AUagenda 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 FOsto on social accountability using CVA to influence the AU.
• Manage implementation, reporting, follow-up and renewal of the MOU between WV and the AUC.
• Expected results
  • Influenced the AUC policies, systems and structures that affect Child Wellbeing.
  • Developed position papers, policy briefs, statements and calls to action for the AUC and UN ECA.
  • Coordinated FO and RO (EARO, SARO and WARO) experience, information or data on child wellbeing in AU policies, reports, statements or calls to action.
  • Implemented, reported and renewed MOU between WV and AUC.

Provide Leadership on Advocating to End Violence against Children in Collaboration with the AUC

• Coordinate a high-level panel during high level meetings in collaboration with the Joining Forces Alliance (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.
• Expected Results
  • WV represented in AUC high level events and breakout sessions e.g. the Heads of States Summit.
  • Senior leaders are prepared for events and offer insights on WV positions.
  • Intelligence from sector specialists gathered and translated into policy messaging for advocacy.
  • WV participates in coalition and partner-developed products, messaging and advocacy ITAW to end violence against children.

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.
• Expected Results
  • Internal stakeholders are informed of current AU humanitarian policy conversations and understand the positions of key influencers.
  • Policy briefs, calls to action and statements by WV to influence the AUC humanitarian and peace policies, statements and structures.
  • Implemented the MOU and workplan with the AACC.

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.
• Expected Results
  • Strategic linkages in place World Vision public image and brand promoted.
  • Lessons and promising practices are documented and shared,
  • WVI stakeholders in SOs, Global Capital, ROs (EARO, SARO and WARO) and FOs have approved messaging and policy positions for public consumption on AU advocacy.
  • WV participates in coalition and partner-developed products, messaging and advocacy that align with WV policy positions.

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
• Expected Outcomes
  • Timely submission of quality reports (monthly, quarterly and annual).
  • Reports and materials for advocacy prepared and shared.

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE

Required Professional Experience

• 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
• Masters’ Degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Politics, Public Administration, Law or its equivalent.

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

• Knowledge on Child Rightsand regional bodies especially the African Union, East African Community and IGAD.
• Knowlegeof 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
• The position requires ability and willingness to travel domestically and regionally up to 30%of the time.