HEAD OF ADVOCACY AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Background and context:

Faith to Action Network is a global interfaith network of more than 100 Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Confucian, Hindu and Muslim faith organizations; we focus on issues that faith actors are grappling with, including sexual and reproductive health and family planning; gender equality and women’s rights; pluralism and understanding. We combine innovative, evidence- and faith-backed community-based programming with national, regional and international dialogue and advocacy to influence change at all levels.

KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

External relations, Partnerships and engagement strategy

• Accountable and responsible for overall development and execution of coherent departmental strategy, that combines the following strategic components (a) stakeholders’ identification and engagement framework (institutions, processes, events); (b) Advocacy; (c) Communications; (d) Movement building;
• Overseeing and managing the F2AN membership and partnership strategy.
• Leads Faith to Action Network’s participation in global advocacy alliances and partnerships; and takes operational responsibility in managing, monitoring and reporting assigned working groups;
• Responsible for operationalizing Faith to Action Network’s hub architecture, comprised of country- and regional hubs (working groups of network members and partners).
• Leading the development of F2AN communications and stakeholder engagement plan in cooperation with the Advocacy and Programmes team.
• Overseeing the implementation of the communications and stakeholder engagement plan
• Represents Faith to Action Network externally at strategic events;
• Ensures M&E systems are in place to monitor, document and report on advocacy, communication and movement building work;
• Lead the planning and execution of communications activities, leveraging media, events, and most especially effective storytelling to increase the organization’s share of voice and influence.
• Spearhead an active role for Faith to Action Network in preparation for international events used to advocate our interventions
• Undertake, in partnership with the relevant staff and stakeholders, regional external relations initiatives deemed priority for Faith to Action Network – this includes representation as well as maximizing regional partnerships (such as with AU, regional economic communities or UN bodies)
• Facilitate, oversee and ensure the effectiveness of interactions between the External Relations unit and other departments in the organization

Quality assurance

• Editorial control of all advocacy and communication products, including annual organizational reports, website, newsletters, social media channels etc.
• Establish and maintain quality standards, in all oral, audio-visual and written advocacy and communication products and channels;
• Prepare and monitor expenditure of the External relations and Advocacy budget and ensure value for money

Faith Advocacy Strategy Development and Execution

• Propose and develop strategic objectives for Faith advocacy and an action plan with timelines and consideration of the stakeholder mapping and in consultation with programme team.
• Initiate, maintain contacts and strengthen intra and interfaith dialogues within faith organizations;
• Develop faith-oriented advocacy materials and tools;

Resource Mobilization

• Pro-actively create and manage donor relations to attract funding for Faith to Action Network;
• Contribute to proposal development;

Academic Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree in social sciences, development studies, project management or related field.
• Project Management skills including Monitoring and Evaluation
• 15 years’ experience in a role that involves advocacy and External relations with excellent knowledge of advocacy cycle and application of advocacy tools; in an international and intercultural context.
• Experience in research and policy analysis, data collection, analysis, and interpretation, writing and production of reports, policy briefs and publications;
• Demonstrable experience developing advocacy strategies for faith-based organizations;
• Experience working on human/women’s rights, reproductive rights and/or in the social justice sector with demonstrable expertise in advocacy and/or representation and influence at high policy levels;
• Proven experience in people management., including distance management
• Experience in high profile representation.
• Proven ability to support coordination of complex international advocacy and communications interventions, with experience in interfaith context.
• Strong writing and editorial skills in English,
• Proven and demonstrable experience in high level writing, documentation and information packaging
• Fluency in Written and spoken English is mandatory, fluency in French is a distinct advantage