Department: Public Policy and Advocacy
Location: Cape Town, South Africa at the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation at the University of Cape Town; work authorization or citizenship in South Africa required
Reports To: Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy
Classification: Full-time
Africa Realizing the End of AIDS in Children and Youth by 2025 (Africa REACH)
Africa REACH is an African-led, African-focused effort intended to unify and amplify its strongest political and cultural forces to create true continental change and fulfill the promise of an AIDS-free generation in Africa. The Africa REACH initiative will bring together the most powerful elements of African political structures, cultural influence, and generational leadership to create a new action agenda around ending AIDS in children and youth in Africa.
How will you fight for an AIDS-free generation?
The Communications and Advocacy Advisor (CAA) will lead Africa REACH’s efforts to strengthen and expand its communications and advocacy interventions across Africa. They will influence policies, systems, structures, and practices of the Governments and actors through their advocacy and communications efforts in support of ending AIDS in children and youth by 2025. They will develop, organize and execute a wide range of activities to influence politics, policy and practice advance the goals of Africa REACH. They will also be responsible for the development of a communications strategy
The Communications and Advocacy Advisor will be an employee of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and report to the Africa REACH Campaign Lead. The CAA will also work closely with colleagues at the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF) and EGPAF on select campaign communications and advocacy assets/activities.
Advocacy Strategy Development and Implementation
With guidance from the Campaign Lead, the person will provide strategic advocacy direction for Africa REACH and facilitate the development of medium-term strategies and shorter-term plans for achieving key objectives. They will also be responsible for the implementation and measurement of the advocacy strategies and providing regular reports of progress and impact.
Management of Communication Outcomes
The person will lead the development and implementation of a communication strategy. They will be responsible for ensuring visibility of the Africa REACH initiative in various platforms. They will manage the communications consultants and develop strong and effective messages, craft stories that get the message to the right audiences..
Thought Leadership
The CAA will coordinate Africa REACH’s thought leadership by working in close collaboration with the Campaign Lead, Leadership Council and the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation to ensure that there is message alignment and leadership informed by programmatic evidence. They will ensure effective message development and information sharing with Africa REACH Leadership Council, AIDS Watch Africa and other stakeholders and key partners.
Stakeholder Management
The person will build and maintain key relationships with stakeholders at the continental and national levels including networks, coalitions and bilateral relations to drive the Africa REACH objectives. This will be different from those managed by the Campaign Lead but just as important. They will be responsible for facilitating activities that drive the Africa REACH objectives including collaborations with Governments to drive national level objectives.
Administration and Tracking Outcomes
The CAA will coordinate the tracking of messaging from the Leadership Council and other Champions mentioning Africa REACH, Pediatric HIV and the like. Follow up on the messaging impact on legislation and regional and national policy change. Track social media and website activity and follow up on relevant posts and shares for further action. They will also be responsible for the smooth implementation of communications and advocacy components of the Africa REACH initiative including supporting the administrative tasks included in all communication and advocacy activities.
No two days are alike at EGPAF, but what can you expect as a Communications and Advocacy Advisor?
- Oversee the design, development, implementation, and measurement of the communications and advocacy strategy for Africa REACH including elements of digital communication and tactics;
- Manage external communications components including media relations;
- Develop strong and effective messages, craft stories and manage communications consultants as necessary;
- Leverage the Leadership Council social media presence and assist in positioning Council members as advocates to achieve the initiative’s objectives;
- Provide guidance and thought leadership on policy developments related to HIV/AIDS and continental health issues and provide policy reports, fact sheets, OpEds, talking points, other multimedia and written materials;
- Support the Campaign Lead to provide backing to the Leadership Council to implement its role through catalyzing momentum for the attainment of Africa REACH goals;
- Build and maintain key relationships with stakeholders at the continental and national levels; including networks, coalitions and bilateral relations to drive the Africa REACH objectives
- Plan and execute Africa REACH led and sponsored/co-sponsored advocacy events and briefings and represents Africa REACH as appropriate
To be successful, you will have:
· Honors degree in international relations, communications, public relations or related field
· 5 years of experience in public policy and governmental affairs.
· 4 years of experience in global health and development policy, and advocacy.
· Excellent communication skills both verbal and written English.
· Specialized knowledge of the political dynamics surrounding continental Africa and sub-regional political and policy issues.
· Experience working with African Union and governmental staff, and/or international NGOs with demonstrable established working relationships.
· Experience in stakeholder mapping and strategizing according to policy objectives of different projects.
· Proven success in designing, implementing, and measuring the impact of overarching advocacy and communications strategies to inform and/or influence health policies.
· Outstanding oral and written communications skills; regarded as a seasoned expert in the field as demonstrated by publications/presentations.
· Ability to work autonomously or as part of a small team with occasional overlap in issues/responsibilities.
Bonus points if you have:
· Ability to speak French a plus
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) is on a mission to create a world where no mother, child, or family is devastated by HIV and AIDS, and we are making an impact. We are a proven leader in the global fight to end HIV and AIDS, and an advocate for every child to live a full and healthy life into adulthood. For more than 30 years, EGPAF has been a leader in meeting urgent needs in pediatric HIV and AIDS in the world’s most affected regions. We carry out our values of passion, innovation, teamwork, leadership, integrity, excellence and equity every day, while maximizing our impact in the communities we serve. Join us on our fight for an AIDS-free generation!
As a global, multinational and multicultural organization, EGPAF believes that diversity in the workplace enriches our work and enhances our impact and effectiveness. We believe that employees have the right to work in a climate of mutual respect and integrity that promotes dignity and respect for all, and that enables them to reach their full potential. The Foundation is committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B), and we strongly encourage those with the following identities to apply: BIPOC, women and non-binary, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other members of historically underrepresented communities.
EGPAF is an equal opportunity employer and affords equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to country law requirements, EGPAF complies with US laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the Foundation has facilities.
The Foundation does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. If you are asked to pay a fee at any stage of recruitment, please contact [email protected].