Evidence Action Policy, Outreach & Partnerships Associate Director Job in Nairobi Kenya

Evidence Action Policy, Outreach & Partnerships Associate Director Job in Nairobi Kenya

Evidence Action is seeking a dynamic Associate Director for Policy, Outreach, and Partnerships in Nairobi, Kenya.The Policy, Outreach and Partnerships (POP) Team is fundamental to Evidence Action’s ability to effectively scale proven interventions. We seek to leverage existing platforms and to forge effective partnerships which enable us to have a catalytic impact.
We actively seek to embed programs in government or scaled institutions. In order to do so, we must be able to effectively understand, engage with, and influence these institutions.
Our interest in meaningful, scaled impact also implies an inherent eagerness to expand into new geographies – within existing countries and in new ones. We need to understand those contexts and manage risk as we grow.
Filling the gap between “what works” and having impact at scale requires an ability to take technical knowledge and research results and make them relevant in the real world, where policy, politics, and many other features of the local context and landscape matter. The POP Team enables programs to be effective and to grow, thrive, and have impact in real world contexts.
We are looking for a motivated, strategically-minded, and action-oriented individual who is passionate about using their people and program management skills to lead Evidence Action’s Policy, Outreach and Partnerships team.
Responsibilities:

The Associate Director – Policy, Outreach and Partnerships will be responsible for building and leading the Policy, Outreach and Partnership team.This person will report to the Regional Director and will be based in Evidence Action’s regional office in Nairobi.
Responsibilities will include:
1. Management

Manage and inspire a high-performing team to deliver services and outcomes across the region.

Collaboration across programs in a matrix structure: The POP Team functions like an internal consulting firm within Evidence Action, providing high-quality and value-for-money services and oversight to programs. The Associate Director will collaborate closely with other managers to achieve policy-related outcomes.2. Ultimate responsibility for deliverables in service to program teams: Oversee, contribute to, and provide quality control on:

Policy analysis and strategy such as context and landscape research and monitoring, analysis of government policies and regulatory frameworks, collaboration with program teams to set policy agenda and goals, investigation and analysis of government financing and procurement, and developing governance structures for programs and with partners.

Government and partner relationships such as investigating, building and codifying new relationships, managing existing relationships both tactically and technically (e.g. managing contracts, meeting planning and tracking) as well as interpersonally (e.g. you and your team are seen as collaborative and supportive partners in their work), and understanding and observing appropriate protocols.

Communications and advocacy such as development and promotion of communications materials consistent across projects and in collaboration with global team, high-quality and consistent internal and external communications, advocacy to create and maintain legitimacy and political will among government and non-governmental partners, influence regulations, policies, annual operating plans, etc. to achieve institutionalized scale of evidence-based programming.3. Build culture of a collaborative, evidence- and values-based team

Collaborate with cross-cutting functions and programs at Evidence Action to foster high quality output that is consistent with program goals and is clearly communicated.

Build a culture of good partnership to maximize our impact with and through strategic institutional relationships.

Ensure the integrity of programs: Promotion of evidence and of Evidence Action values permeating our external relationships, communications and actions.Qualifications and Skills:

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred

Track record of inspiring and empowering teams with the right level of structure and direction (at least 3 years of senior management and leadership experience)

Skilled at building relationships with senior leaders and policymakers, and comfortable working collaboratively across teams and cultures

Substantial experience with policy analysis, strategy and advocacy

Problem solving extraordinaire ready to embark on Plan B when needed

Perseverance in the face of daunting challenges

Start-up experience and mentality

Ability to think big while still being detail-oriented

Excellent analytical skills and action-oriented output

Strong written and oral communicator

Experience in developing countries in general and at least two of our three target countries in particular (Kenya, Uganda, Malawi)

Passionate about social impact

A sense of humorWillingness to spend 20-30% of the time in East Africa outside Nairobi Click here to apply online Evidence Action Policy, Outreach & Partnerships Associate Director Job in Nairobi Kenya