Job Description
Head of Strategy, Policy & Campaigns
Location: Accra, Ghana
Contract: 2 Year Fixed Term contract (renewable), Full time
Deadline: 10 May 2024
Salary: Grade G Ghana – 301,808 to 394,894 GHS
How to Apply: To apply, please click on ‘Apply’ to download the full Job Description and use the link in the JD to submit your application along with your CV and a cover letter, and include links to any relevant publications, research papers, policy briefs, and samples of knowledge management materials and initiatives that you have developed in your current or last role.
Please note: to apply for this role you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in Ghana
About WaterAid:
It’s hard to believe that today 771 million people do not have clean water and 1.7 billion do not have a decent toilet – around 1 in 5 of the world’s population. Every two minutes a child under five dies from diarrheal diseases caused by poor water and sanitation.
Join WaterAid Ghana as our Head of Strategy, Policy & Campaigns to change normal for millions of people so they can unlock their potential, break free from poverty and change their lives for good. On top of that you’ll be joining a 2020 Great Place to Work® award-winning organisation.
The Head of Strategy, Policy, and Campaigns plays a pivotal role in steering WaterAid Ghana towards achieving its vision of a world where everyone, everywhere has access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. This job exists to ensure the strategic alignment of the Country Programme with WaterAid’s global objectives, leveraging evidence-based advocacy and comprehensive policy engagement to influence WASH governance and practices at all levels. By crafting and executing a forward-looking strategy, the role aims to establish WaterAid Ghana as a thought leader in the sector, fostering strong partnerships across governmental, private, and civil sectors to mobilize resources and effect systemic change.
Accountabilities:
Strategic Leadership
- Guide the creation of the Country Programme Strategy, ensuring alignment with WaterAid’s global strategic aims and integrating them into reporting mechanisms like the Annual Report and Global Performance Measurement Framework.
- Develop a comprehensive advocacy strategy and annual plans to enhance WaterAid Ghana’s influence across international, national, and subnational levels, aligning with global advocacy priorities and the country program’s strategic objectives.
- Promote integrated policy programming by developing strategies, tools, and best practices that engage stakeholders, with a focus on gender, accountability, and WASH governance.
- Support the technical design of proposals and support the integration of government policies and technical requirements.
- Organize and manage knowledge for WaterAid Ghana’s Program Focus Areas, enhancing the accessibility of crucial information.
- Oversee a multidisciplinary team to foster policy research, communications, advocacy and encouraging learning and professional growth.
Policy, Research and Knowledge management
- Lead policy research initiatives to ensure sustainable WASH funding, government accountability, and civil society empowerment for systemic change.
- Develop key relationships and articulate policy recommendations based on evidence and programmatic experience.
- Monitor sector developments and participate in national WASH policy discussions, advocating for proactive solutions to challenges.
- Support partners implement and assess policy at sub-national levels, using data analysis for evidence-based advocacy and policy refinement.
Advocacy, Networking & Influencing:
- Build partnerships and networks across sectors to pursue common advocacy objectives, representing WaterAid Ghana in key forums and effectively communicating its advocacy agenda.
- Maintain relationships with crucial stakeholders for increased WASH financing and support for the sector.
- Create impactful communication materials to disseminate policy recommendations and advocacy achievements, engaging a wide audience through diverse channels.
- Seek funding opportunities and support advocacy for WASH Systems Strengthening, Public Health, and Climate Resilience at sub-national levels.
Partnerships
- Develop a strategic partnership strategy aligned with the WaterAid Ghana CPS 2023-2028.
- Collaborate with internal teams to enhance the Country Program’s strategic partnership agenda, while actively researching and managing a pipeline of potential partnerships to expand the Country Program’s partnership portfolio
- Sustain engagement with partners to excel in strategic partnerships, offer technical assistance, and mentor colleagues.
- Proactively seek and establish new collaborations with government bodies, private sector companies, social enterprises, and NGOs to support the delivery of program objectives and influence plans.
Person Specification:
Essential Skills:
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- An advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., Public Policy or Political Science, International Development, public health, climate change, Human Rights, Sociology, or any other related in the Policy and Advocacy discipline.
- A minimum of 8 years of working experience, including 5 years within the development sector, the candidate should have a track record in driving strategy, public policy development, and successfully implementing advocacy campaigns or strategies at the national, sub-national, or global level.
- Excellent understanding of public policy-making and legislative processes and the players with an in-depth knowledge of national and sub-national policies/regulations related to WASH, public health and climate change. Understanding of critical blockages to WASH in Ghana.
- Demonstrated experience of at least one of our programs (i.e. sub-national WASH, WASH in public health, climate resilient WASH) and key shifts (i.e WASH systems strengthening, youth, private sector, digital economy)
- Demonstrated research and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex information into actionable policy recommendations.
- Proven in-depth understanding of national and international development issues, including actors, development politics and social movements in Ghana and Africa Region.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly, persuasively and ability to effectively liaise with donors, government officials and diverse stakeholders.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector, NGOs, coalition and networks, and international organizations.
- Demonstrable experience in building, leading and managing teams, fostering a high performing culture where collaboration and high levels of communication, empowerment of others and feedback are valued.
- Strong relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Mastery of Microsoft Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
Desirable Skills:
- Strong research and analytical skills to identify funding opportunities, gather relevant information for grant proposals, and analyse policy issues.
- Proven experience in program management, including strategic planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation and taking appropriate remedial in critical situation.
- Track record of gender sensitive advocacy approaches and use of right based approach to development.
- Substantive knowledge of key issues and emerging trends and barriers in youth and private sector engagement in WASH systems at national and sub-national level.
- Advanced competencies in program reporting, and synthesizing key decisions required.
- Critical thinker and problem solver with an agile mindset.
- Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
- Demonstrate a commitment to WaterAid’s values and vision.
- Exposure to systems thinking with an ability to understand and engage with stakeholders in different ecosystems and design programming that addresses root causes and critical needs.
Our People Promise
Everything we do is guided by our values. We want everyone to be treated with dignity and respect, and we champion people’s rights and contributions to achieve a fairer world. We are passionately committed to be an organisation where everyone is welcome, respected, included and empowered to be their best.
We represent and celebrate the diversity of our staff, partners and everyone that we work with to create a culture where everyone can reach their full potential.
Equal opportunities
We are an equal opportunity, disability-confident employer and are dedicated to achieving the highest standards of diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions and ways of life. This includes, but is not limited to, race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, national or social origin, health status, and economic or social situation.
Safeguarding
We are also committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).