PATH is an international non-profit organization that creates sustainable, culturally relevant solutions, enabling communities worldwide to break longstanding cycles of poor health. PATH’s mission is to improve the health of people around the world by advancing technologies, strengthening systems, and encouraging healthy behaviors.
Note: This posting is only open to individuals who are already employed by PATH and have legal authority to work in Kenya.
PATH’s Advocacy and Public Policy (APP) team works to improve global health by increasing awareness and support of global health priorities by targeted policymakers. PATH advocates for change by working with policymakers, advocates, and other influential individuals and groups. We leverage our unique expertise as a provider of field, technology, and program solutions that are innovative, field-driven, scalable, affordable, and based on best practices to influence and inform public policy decisions.
PATH is seeking a Family Health Advocate to support PATH’s emerging advocacy and policy initiatives in the areas of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH), nutrition, and family planning in Kenya. This position would be supervised by the Deputy Country Leader for Kenya, while also linking to the US-based APP team and reporting to the Family Health Officer in PATH’s Washington DC office.
Responsibilities
In collaboration with programmatic and technical experts across PATH, the Family Health Advocate is responsible for:
- Developing and implementing advocacy strategies and corresponding activities to advance specific policy change in support of MNCH, nutrition, and family planning at the district, state, and/or national levels. This may include assessing the policy environment for family health; defining an advocacy agenda with both short- and long-term goals; and conducting periodic reviews and “stock-taking” of the effectiveness of selected strategies and activities in influencing policies.
- Cultivating and strengthening relationships with targeted policymakers, government and ministerial officials and staff, and key opinion leaders to promote priority policy changes.
- Building partnerships and networks with key actors and stakeholders working in the areas of MNCH, nutrition, and family planning advocacy and program implementation, including multi-lateral, parastatal, and private sector institutions; NGO and civil society representatives; think tanks; women’s and professional associations; and educational and research organizations, to maximize impact and resources to further family health policy priorities.
- Collaborating with communications specialists across PATH to develop and produce innovative advocacy materials and dissemination approaches to effectively make the case and promote priority policy changes to key policymakers and other external audiences. Advocacy materials may include print, online, and multi-media formats.
- Facilitating and supporting PATH’s in-country staff and partners’ efforts to advance advocacy capacity. This potentially includes overseeing the implementation of advocacy trainings and consultations and a small-grants program to achieve targeted policy changes.
- All manner of related event planning and coordination, including advocacy and outreach meetings, workshops, trainings, and conferences.
- Representing PATH and the APP team at national, regional and international conferences and events as necessary.
- Contributing to the development and dissemination of cross-organization advocacy lessons learned.
- Supporting the tracking of reporting requirements and report preparation as necessary.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate (orally and in writing) complex issues in a concise, compelling, and easily understandable manner.
- Proven ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with government personnel, NGO partners, and international organizations.
- Expert computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Ability to travel as necessary.
- Demonstrated success in influencing family health-related policies globally and/or in-country.
- Extensive knowledge of the political, social, economic, and cultural context of Kenya.
- Fluency in English and Swahili is required.
- A successful candidate would bring existing, professional, high-level media and political contacts in Kenya
- Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree in public health or related field strongly preferred; plus a minimum of six to eight years of professional experience developing and implementing a wide variety of advocacy and policy initiatives in the African context.
- Experience in the use of traditional and new media avenues for achieving advocacy outcomes a plus.
Family Health Advocate, Advocacy & Public Policy
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