Senior Policy Advisor at Ipas Africa

The Senior Policy Advisor provides technical guidance for policy and advocacy initiatives to increase access to safe abortion services. The primary focus of this position is working with stakeholders and policy makers at the national and regional level to ensure women’s rights to access comprehensive reproductive health services including safe abortion care. The role also builds the capacity of national and regional networks to support Ipas’s mission.

• Leads planning and budgeting for policy activities, monitors the implementation of activities and planned results
• Maintains relationships with government officials and other national and regional organizations to assist with Ipas’s mission by organizing sensitization workshops and providing ongoing information
• Conceptualizes programmatic activities aimed at improving the policy environment through engaging with key policy makers and other stakeholders
• In coordination with other policy staff, provides policy technical guidance as needed for policy activities
• Drafts white papers and policy briefs for influencing policy and increasing access to safe abortion services
• Builds and nurtures existing networks and partnerships of organizations and institutions to support Ipas’s mission and legal changes on abortion
• Prepares presentations and papers for conferences and workshops; reviews other documents for publication by Ipas
• Supports fundraising initiatives for policy activities by contributing to donor proposals and preparation or review of donor reports
• Monitors the legal environment for abortion and identifies opportunities for intervention
• Reports to key senior policy staff regarding country programs efforts and needs, management of programs, supervision of staff, and other project issues
• Works with North Carolina, global, and country office policy team members about workshop logistics, implementation of activities, and program needs
• Works with finance unit about budgets, grants, and other financial issues
• Manages relationships with external entities including partner organizations, donors, vendors and consultants
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum

• Bachelor's degree and 9+ years of relevant experience or advanced degree and 7+ years relevant experience
• Advanced program planning and management experience
• Experience working in policy and advocacy areas
• Experience working in a non-profit organization
• 40% travel within and outside the region
• Working knowledge of at least one UN language highly desired

Preferred

• Master’s degree in relevant field
• International experience
• Established relationships with public health organizations
• Working knowledge of budget oversight