Strategic Partnership and Advocacy (SPA) Manager

The Strategic Partnership and Advocacy Manager take strategic leadership in developing and managing high-level partnerships with key stakeholders, while simultaneously leading advocacy efforts to promote the project's goals, including policy influence and public awareness campaigns. 

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The SPA manager will lead in development/review/updating and implementation of the project’s advocacy strategies and tools, communication plans, gender and safeguarding plans/policies (as may be applicable) ensuring they are evidence-based and contextually relevant.
•  Together with other Directors, Technical Director, Project Director, and Country Rep, manage public relations, stakeholders’ engagements, publications and online content, documentation and dissemination of project’s learnings, and positioning the organization with donors and partners.
• Lead project’s media efforts where and when necessary, develop external relations strategies, and ensure organizations and project’s visibility through events and media engagement.
• Lead engagements with project’s sub-implementers, ensuring their implementation and deliverables are aligned with the overall project’s goals.
• Provide technical support to the N/SPHCDA, F/SMOH and other relevant MDAs through active participation in relevant federal and state level TWGs
• Together with the gender and safeguarding officers and M&E officers, track the project’s gender strategy and targets, and effectively communicate performance to project teams for timely informed decision making.
• Take lead on issues relating to MSH’s visibility, branding, and strategic message, ensuring alignment in donor and organization’s requirements.
• Act as the project’s focal point and technical resource for technical issues related to advocacy, gender and safeguarding, media engagement and communications, collaborating with other program units as necessary.
• Collaborate with the project’s technical and M&E teams to support the routine capture of learning from projects, document and sharing draft lessons learned with key staff, developing and disseminating technical briefs, and using these communication materials for adaptive management within the organization and to inform evidence-based project planning.
• Manage project’s social media platforms and other external communications platforms, ensuring adherence to MSH’s policies.
• Ensure project’s advocacy efforts and communication progress are well captured in the project’s routine reports to donors.
• Monitor media coverage and public discussions relevant to our focus areas and respond as needed collaborating with the technical director and chief of party.
• Oversee all external communications activities, materials, reports and presentations to ensure they conform to MSH and donor requirements
• Mobilize collaboration and resource sourcing for gender and vulnerability initiatives

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 7+ years’ experience in strategic stakeholder engagements, communications, advocacy, and media events management, ideally in public health
• Strong project management skills
• At least 5 years’ experience working in donor funded projects implemented by local and international NGOs with a strong understanding of donor trends, languages, audiences, and requirements.
• Excellent English writing and communication skills
• Experience with public health communications and relevant technical areas
• Demonstrated experience developing communications strategies, communication plans, gender analysis, gender strategies, and materials related to relevant project technical areas.

KNOWLEDGE and  SKILLS:

• Understanding of policy processes and political dynamics at various levels
• Savvy social media user
• Experience in a range of communications activities (writing strategies, briefing papers, press releases, concept notes, digital communications content, use of social media dissemination events etc.)
• Strong analytic, strategic thinking and planning skills
• Proven skills in writing, copy editing, proof reading and research, with excellent attention to detail
• Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher or other design software)

MSH is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job requirements. MSH will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed and that employees are treated without regard to their race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and disability status. In compliance with U.S. Department of Labor Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, MSH has developed and maintains an affirmative action program and plan.

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