Kenya: Policy Research Manager

ActionAid International is active in over 42 countries in Africa, Asia, America and Europe regions in partnership with other organisations. ActionAid Kenya has been working in Kenya since 1972 to facilitate processes that eradicate poverty and ensure social justice through anti-poverty projects, local institutional capability building and public policy influencing. ActionAid Kenya works in 20 districts of Kenya and links key international, national and local institutions in favour of poor people.

ActionAid seeks to recruit a dynamic and innovative person to lead, develop and coordinate a well- resourced public policy and research strategy across the country programme.

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POLICY RESEARCH MANAGER

This is a challenging senior position based in Nairobi and reporting to the Country Director, while working with a team of other Policy Coordinators in Nairobi and in the regions. The policy team actively supports community, national and international actions to; protect basic human rights, promote public accountability, and participation in public policies. This position provides critical leadership to these processes.

With an overall responsibility to co-ordinate and directly engage in policy advocacy and research work with the aim of influencing pro-poor change in policies, laws and institutions locally, nationally and internationally you will:

• Directly participate and support poor people to participate in national policy formulation processes
and ensuring that the interests of the poor, marginalised and the excluded people are taken into account locally, nationally and internationally
• Support and build the capacities of local institutions, poor people and development partners to maximise impact on pro-poor policy change
• Promote gender analysis, advocacy and empowerment of women.
• Support and build internal capacities to identify and pursue a research advocacy agenda
• Represent and raise the policy advocacy profile of ActionAid International Kenya amongst peers within and outside of the Africa Region Policy team.
• Develop and support the implementation of advocacy strategies that are driven by strong grassroots agenda
• Strengthen and support the research component of the Unit for more effective engagement in advocacy work
• Undertake regular assessment and review of the impact of policy advocacy work to ensure constant leaning and improvement
• Ensure that relevant information, learning and documentation takes place between and among the policy staff team and partners
• Ensure constant innovation and strategic thinking with the policy team
• Contribute to fund-raising initiatives for ActionAid International Kenya’s policy advocacy work

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
• Appropriate education, preferably a Masters in social sciences
• At least 5 years experience in development work, policy research and advocacy
• Excellent understanding of public policies and laws
• Strong and proven experience of working with and linking grassroots work with national and international advocacy agenda.
• Strong analytical and lobbying skills; with competency in power analysis
• Effective planning, coordination, writing and communication skills
• Competency in facilitating national and international advocacy strategies
• High integrity, concern for social justice and eradication of poverty
• Proven team development, communication and leadership skills
• Willingness to travel within and outside Kenya

We offer a competitive remuneration and benefits package and the successful candidate will enjoy flexibility and organisational space while joining an experienced and dynamic staff working alongside poor people. If you possess the necessary qualifications and experience, send your application, a detailed CV, names of three referees and a daytime telephone contact by 31 August to:

The Manager, Human Resources & Organisation Development,
P. O. Box 42814, 00100, Nairobi
Email- [email protected]
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. ActionAid is an equal opportunities employer.