Policy Advocacy Manager

Role Overview

The Policy Advocacy Manager role is global (75%) and accountable for developing and implementing specific advocacy strategies, contributing to global advocacy strategy development, undertaking research and analysis, developing policy advocacy content and tools, providing matrix support to colleagues undertaking policy advocacy in different regions, and providing strategic administrative support to the Director of Policy Advocacy.

Additionally, 15% of the role is dedicated to advocacy support for specific elements of DNDi’s African regional strategy. The incumbent is responsible for supporting DNDi’s efforts to document lessons learned, engage stakeholders, develop champions, and promote policy actions to advance the adoption of progressive R&D policies to meet the needs of neglected patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Research & Analysis: Undertake research and analysis—including policy landscape analyses, stakeholder mapping, and lessons learned by DNDi—and develop policy advocacy content and tools, including white papers and policy briefs.
• Strategy Development: Develop targeted advocacy strategies to influence policy change.
• Technical Contributions: Contribute to technical analyses of policies and practices impacting innovation and access to medical tools, and propose/prioritize specific actions where DNDi and partners could be influential.
• Campaign & Event Management: Coordinate specific advocacy activities/campaigns engaging various stakeholders, and manage projects and events.
• Matrix Support: Provide matrix support to colleagues undertaking policy advocacy activities in various regions, with a particular focus (15%) on East Africa, the African Union, Africa CDC, and other DNDi departments (e.g., funders managed by External Relations teams).
• Communications Collaboration: Collaborate with the Communications teams to help develop and disseminate policy positions through opinion pieces, social media, and other means.
• Internal Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to internal communications to develop internal knowledge and enable colleagues to represent policy positions effectively.
• Project Management: Provide project management support to the Policy Advocacy Director and team, including coordinating policy advocacy team meetings, and documenting, tracking, and delivering team deliverables and KPIs.

Reporting Line & Interactions

• Reports to the Policy Advocacy Director, with a secondary reporting line to the Africa Continental Lead & Office Director.
• Works closely with the Communications, External Relations, regional offices, and R&D teams at DNDi.
• Interacts extensively with external partners, including civil society groups, think tanks, government representatives, experts in multilateral agencies, and policy leads in science, research, and public health institutions.

Experience and Education

• Minimum of 6 years' relevant experience, with at least 4 years at the Senior Officer level.
• A proven track record of policy analysis, preferably in public health, along with strong knowledge of global health, development, or science policy.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing successful advocacy strategies and campaigns, including awareness-building initiatives with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in policy advocacy on the African continent; experience in the East African context is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and a matrix structure.
• Experience working across both the public and private sectors is highly desirable.
• A Graduate degree (with equivalent experience to reach Master's level) in International Relations, Public Health, Public Affairs, or a related field; or demonstrably equivalent experience through grassroots engagement, preferably with applied work in community, national, or global advocacy.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong ability to prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
• Clear and systematic thinking with sound judgment and problem-solving competencies.
• Strong communication and analytical skills, with the ability to critically analyze and apply complex information from various sources.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present policy advocacy materials to both expert and general audiences.
• Strategic thinking, leadership, negotiation, and high-level project and budget management skills.
• High level of autonomy for taking decisions and actions, and a strong ability to interact effectively with external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and supervise junior staff within a small team.
• Commitment to an inclusive and equitable R&D system.
• Fluency in English and proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite.