Job title Advocacy & External Relations Manager

Reporting to Director Programs & Public Sector  Strengthening

Location Support Office – Freetown Direct Reports N/A

Marie Stopes Sierra Leone 

Marie Stopes International (MSI) is a global social business providing personalized, high quality, affordable contraception  and safe abortion services to women and girls. MSI has 13,000 team members working in 37 countries to deliver our mission:  children by choice, not chance. Marie Stopes Sierra Leone (MSSL) is a founding member of the MSI Partnership, operating  in Sierra Leone for 30 years and becoming the largest non-governmental provider of family planning (FP) and sexual &  reproductive health (SRH) services in the country. MSSL delivers services in every district of Sierra Leone through its  outreach, centers/clinics and social marketing channels.

The Role  

The Advocacy & External Relations Manager plays a crucial role in enabling the achievement of MSSL’s mission by  advocating and influencing policy change, as well as developing, managing and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders  that are critical to MSSL, particularly with respect to its mission, goals and objectives of advancing increased access to family  planning and sexual and reproductive health rights and services for the low to middle income and vulnerable women and  youths of Sierra Leone.

The Advocacy & External Relations Manager will sustain a close and collaborative partnership with external stakeholders,  operational staff in the support office and field, so that project deliverables remain a focus of operational activities. This post  holder will be able to work productively with all service delivery teams to ensure that program activities serve the indicators  in MSSL’s advocacy and external relations framework.

Key Responsibilities Measure 1. Advocacy & Policy  

• Lead the implementation of MSSL’s policy interventions ensuring the  achievement of policy outcomes to stimulate national policy dialogue  and change.
• Monitor and analyze the national SRH policy environment to identify  gaps or opportunities for MSSL’s involvement that promote MSSL’s  approach to evidence-based decision making
• Provide feedback to both MSSL and MSI Teams on outcome of  stakeholder meetings and consultations.
• Identify national policy committees and ensure MSSL is represented at  all SRH national policy dialogue meetings
• Ensure the implementation of relevant evaluation and reviews to  strengthen policy project effectiveness.
• Cultivate, strengthen and nurture constructive and positive relationships  with a wide range of political, technical and financial partners, including  national decision makers and policy makers, academic institutions,
• Meaningful MSSL participation in at least  2 major advocacy/policy related events  and to ensure quality advocacy/policy  outputs in two MSSL organized events
• Detailed and accurate reports on stake  holder meetings and consultations  provided within 5 days after the event.
• Comprehensive advocacy strategy  developed and implemented
• Two stakeholder meeting conducted per  year

JF: Advocacy & External Relations Manager

opinion leaders and other partners as champions to advance universal  access to contraception and safe abortion.

• Effectively identify and influence relevant debates, opportunities and  policy initiatives that can support MSSL’s priorities of: eradicating  unsafe abortion; increasing access and choice in long-acting and  permanent contraceptive methods; de-medicalization and task-shifting;  results based financing; and increasing access for young people.
• Proactively engage and serve as a key resource to increase awareness  of MSSL’s global impact and results with strategic partners and  individuals. Support the transfer of knowledge, documentation and  dissemination of learning, best practices, case studies and successful  strategies in relation to MSSL’s policy engagement.
• Monitor policy processes and developments relevant to MSSL. 2. New Business Development  
• Lead on all advocacy and external relations activities done by  MSSL.
• Work with members of the Country Management Team to develop  concepts, proposals, cultivate donor relationships and negotiate  with partners.
• Work with members of the Country management team to identify  opportunities and funding needs
• Author concept notes and proposals with input from multiple  sources
• Create budgets with support from the MSSL finance team
• Develop donor relationships, including securing donor meetings,  organizing visits and following up on funding opportunities
• Respond to donor requests, develop concepts and proposals to  spearhead the MSSL advocacy initiatives
• Analyze project performance and take proactive action to respond  to project needs

External Relations and Communications 

• Work with MSSL’s communications team to create corporate  communications materials that represent MSSL as an innovative and  effective organization.
• Represent MSSL at local and international fora advocating for MSSL mission and vision
• Leading in the development of advocacy messages for vulnerable  youths and women.
• Participation in health education and training of youths in colleges and  tertiary institutions on the dangers of unplanned pregnancy.
• Three parliamentary sensitization  meetings conducted annually
• Four MSSL programme review meetings  conducted annually
• MSSL is represented in all in key networks  and coalitions.
• MOUs agreed with at least 10 external  organizations. (3 women organizations, 3  youth organizations and 20 colleges)
• Referral system developed with women  and youth organizations.
• Increase in the number of women and  youths receiving LAPM services through  the established referral system
• Quality concepts or proposals are  successfully submitted.
• Stakeholder Survey undertaken annually.
• Advocacy and external stakeholder  database created
• Advocacy materials on increasing access  to services developed and distributed.
• Youths peer educators identified and  trained in FP/SRH services.

JF: Advocacy & External Relations Manager

• Managing and accompanying external visitors and requests as needed,  including the press local and international when needed
• Authoring and making strategic press releases as needed
•  Writing success stories on advocacy and other material for donor and  MSSL /MSI publications
• Gather, edit and disseminate stories to stakeholders through direct  updates or donor reports.
• Proactively engage with national and international media, developing  strong relationships with key journalists/actors.
• Proactively engage with FP/SRH advocacy groups for youths and  vulnerable women to increase their access to services.
• Manage media engagement and corporate communications for MSSL Qualifications (essential/desirable)  
• Women peer educators trained in FP/SRH  services from women organizations
• At least success stories published in the  MSSL monthly newsletter and two in the  MSI publications monthly.
• Increased access to and demand for  FP/SRH/PAC services amongst youths and  women
• Minimum of a University Degree in Health Science, Social Science, or International Development Management;  Legal Sciences, master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Fluent English both oral and written.
• Knowledge of Clinical Health, Community Outreach, Family Planning, Social Marketing and Social Franchising
•  Computer literate, proficient in MS Word, Power Point presentation and Excel (essential).

Experience / Knowledge (essential/desirable) 

• At least five years’ relevant experience, three of which must be related to Advocacy and Policy work (essential).
•  Demonstrated record in engaging and influencing senior policymakers, donors and civil society agencies to  deliver strategic advocacy outcomes.
• Established and network of relationships with politicians, decision makers, and international agencies within  Sierra Leone.
• Experience in planning of advocacy campaigns and events
• Experience in dealing with press requests
• Experience in working with women and youth pressure groups
• Good knowledge of the health sector in Sierra Leone an important advantage (desirable).
•    Fluency in Krio and English (essential).
• Excellent communication skills – excellent verbal and written English communication skills and ability to organize  and present information in a compelling way.
• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of both local and government policies.

Personal Attributes  

• Strong supporter of the cause for contraception and a woman’s right to safe abortion. (Pro-choice.)
•    Results driven.
• Motivated and energetic.
• Strong commitment to the goals and vision of MSI and MSSL.
• Passion for service excellence and improving quality

JF: Advocacy & External Relations Manager

• Strong training skills; able to effectively build capacity.
• Excellent interpersonal/communication skill.
• The highest levels of integrity, and a strong ethical sense.
• Self- managed and able to prioritize and work under pressure.
• courage to push boundaries, make tough decisions and challenge others in line with our mission.

MSI Values  

• Mission driven: With unwavering commitment, we exist to empower women and men to have children by choice  not chance
• Client centered: We are passionate about our clients and dedicate our efforts to delivering agreed objectives to  the highest possible quality
• Accountable: We are accountable for our actions and take responsibility for everything we do to ensure long term  sustainability and increased impact
• Courageous: We recruit and nurture talented, passionate and brave people who have the Team Member Behaviors

JF: Advocacy & External Relations Manager

• Work as One MSI  

You contribute, use, and share accurate data and evidence to improve understanding, insight and  decision-making across MSI, enabling us to maximize our ability to influence others

You share relevant knowledge, expertise and resources to strengthen teamwork and prevent  duplication of effort

You actively work as part of a team, providing support and flexibility to colleagues, demonstrating  fairness, understanding and respect for all people and cultures.

• Show courage, authenticity and integrity  

You hold yourself accountable for the decisions you make and the behaviors you demonstrate You  are courageous in challenging others and taking appropriate managed risks.

• Develop and grow  

You seek feedback to enable greater self-awareness and provide the same to others in a way which  inspires them to be even more effective

You manage your career development including keeping your knowledge and skills up to date.

• Deliver excellence, always  

You strive to consistently meet and exceed expectations, putting clients at the Centre of everything,  and implement smarter, more efficient ways of performing your role

o You build and maintain effective long-term working relationships with all stakeholders and are a true  MSI ambassador.

• Leadership (For Leaders only)  

You inspire individuals and teams, through situational leadership, providing clear direction   You seek and provide opportunities which motivate team members, helping to develop skills and  potential whilst strengthening our talent and succession pipeline

You are aware of emerging developments in our sector, demonstrating strategic insight about our  clients and business and encourage this in your team

You articulate a vision of the future which inspires and excites others.

SEND ALL  APPLICATION AND CV TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW;

recruitment@mariestopes.org.sl