Advocacy and Policy Manager, Advocacy and Public Policy Full Time

PATH is a global organization that works to accelerate health equity by bringing together public institutions, businesses, social enterprises, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing health challenges. With expertise in science, health, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales solutions—including vaccines, drugs, devices, diagnostics, and innovative approaches to strengthening health systems worldwide.

PATH’s Advocacy and Public Policy (APP) department works to improve the health of women and children by strengthening policies and financing impacting their well-being, including support for research and development.  We work with policymakers, coalitions, and other influential stakeholders to drive change at the global, national and sub-national levels. APP is a department of more than 40 staff, across multiple locations worldwide.

PATH’s APP department is seeking an Advocacy and Policy Manager to support the implementation of PATH’s policy and advocacy work in the area of Reproductive, Maternal, and Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH), including immunization and primary healthcare (PHC). The manager will provide strategic direction, management and programmatic oversight to create a conducive environment for policy adoption, implementation and financing for RMNCAH in Uganda.

The Manager will report to both the Country Director in Uganda and the Regional Director Advocacy & Policy based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day project management for Uganda-specific policy and resource mobilization objectives as part of a complex multi-country advocacy initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
• Conceive and implement a variety of advocacy activities to inform and influence policymakers, decision-makers, thought leaders, advocates and influencers, to elevate key RMNACH priorities in alignment with specific donor deliverables.
• Develop annual project activity plans, updated quarterly in collaboration with key PATH departments and external stakeholders, and oversee implementation to high standards by scope and timelines.
• Directly engage with government decision makers, influencers and partners to pursue changes in the adoption and implementation of health policies and related health financing.
• With support from the communications team, develop high quality reports, policy updates, briefs, presentations, investment cases and other materials for varying audiences including the donor, policy makers and PATH leadership.
• Document project progress, including collecting and reporting monitoring and evaluation data.
• Lead efforts to gather and generate evidence for policy advocacy as per the advocacy goals and outcomes.
• Represent PATH in meetings and forums relevant to the project policy objectives, including Ministry of Health (MoH) Technical Working Groups, and Civil Society Organization (CSO) engagements.
• Liaise with and serve as the point of contact for technical advocacy expertise, both within PATH and to external partners.
• Build productive internal and external relationships with donors, health specialists and global advocates, and allied public and private partners to achieve advocacy goals within the country.
• Collaborate and share learning and technical expertise with PATH colleagues working in other countries and at the global level.
• Travel within Uganda and to other countries for regional and global engagements aligned to project goals.
• Manage staff.

Required Experience

• Master’s or other advanced degree in public health, health economics, social sciences, international development, or related field preferred.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience coordinating and managing advocacy projects in the African region in the global health or development sector, ideally in a combination of technical and policy advocacy roles.
• Demonstrated success working with multiple stakeholders to achieve a shared goal; experience building and managing partnerships.
• Demonstrated success in planning and conducting advocacy activities to influence health or development-related policies at the national, regional and global levels.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and carrying out effective advocacy and communication activities, including policy and financing, to achieve results in Uganda and other African countries.
• Proven ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with government especially MOH, CSO partners, private sector, and development partners at various levels.
• In-depth knowledge about policy-making processes in Uganda and experience interfacing with and navigating Government entities and policy makers.
• Proactive, self-initiator, able to work in team environment with minimal supervision.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities, and unpredictable stakeholder expectations.
• Articulate communicator, excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other information processing software.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to work independently, and to competent track timelines and deliverables with minimal guidance.

• In-depth knowledge of immunization systems and country immunization programs, as well as general knowledge about RMNCAH and primary health care. Specific knowledge of the structure and operations of the Uganda National Expanded Program on Immunization desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct operational research and program evaluations in developing country contexts, preferably with vaccination programs.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-country, team-based organizational structure. Flexibility to work within multiple time zones and multiple teams across the globe.

Must have legal authorization to work in Uganda.

PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.

PATH is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Job LocationKampala, UgandaCompany LocationUganda, KampalaPosition TypeFull-Time/Regular

Tagged as: Advocacy, PATH, Public policy, Uganda