About Us
Girls Not Brides is a global partnership committed to ending child marriage and ensuring that this movement tangibly changes the lives of girls at risk or affected by it. We are a network of over 1,400 civil society organizations in over 100 countries working in partnership to end child marriage. Our vision is a world without child marriage where girls and women enjoy equal status with boys and men and are able to achieve their full potential in all aspects of their lives. Our vision challenges deeply embedded social norms that harm the lives of girls, women, and their communities.
Introduction to the Role
The Malawi Accelerator Programme is an ambitious initiative by Girls Not Brides to catalyze collective impact at the national level and accelerate progress to end child marriage. It aims to strengthen national movements and the ending Child Marriage ecosystem, drive policy and implementation progress, improve access to resources, and ensure accountability to girls. The MAP is one of Girls Not Brides' first flagship programmes under our Accelerator Collective.
About the Position
The Senior Advocacy and Communications Officer, under the supervision of the MAP Technical Lead, will be responsible for leading advocacy and communication strategies for the Malawi Accelerator Programme. This includes facilitating development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of end child marriage advocacy and communication strategies, and collaborating with GNB Malawi members to advocate for the prioritization of full implementation of the National Strategy to End Child Marriage.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead advocacy and communication strategies for the Malawi Accelerator Programme.
- Facilitate the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of end child marriage advocacy and communication strategies.
- Collaborate with GNB Malawi members to advocate for the prioritization of full implementation of the National Strategy to End Child Marriage.
- Lead budget advocacy efforts in collaboration with Malawi and relevant stakeholders to unlock domestic financing for ECM.
- Lead the development of stakeholder engagement plans in collaboration with GNB Malawi.
- Engage with donors, government, and private sector to advocate for domestic financing to End Child Marriage.
- Influence CSOs, Private Sector, government and stakeholders in the ECM Ecosystem to uphold commitments on child marriage.
- Effectively deploy public channels and private relationships to mobilize public and private resources to End Child Marriage.
- Facilitate use of traditional and digital media and key partnerships to build awareness of and support for ECM, including aligning to regional and global GNB strategies.
- Amplify Girls Voices and empower them to effectively carry out advocacy activities as agents of change.
- Respond to major communication risks and challenges.
Qualifications and Experience
- Advanced degree (Master's) in Political Science, Media Studies, Journalism, Public Policy, Communications and Advocacy, Human Rights, Social Sciences, Public Health, Development Studies or any related field.
- A first-level university degree (Bachelor's) in a relevant field, in conjunction with seven (7) additional years of relevant work experience in advocacy and communications.
- At least 7 years progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in advocacy/ campaigning and communication is required.
- Experience in leading the development and implementation of advocacy and communication strategies.
- Demonstrable ability and experience in organizing High Level advocacy forums/campaigns/Events with high profile partners.
- Experience working with a large group of stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) are required.
- Knowledge and skills in Gender Transformative and Multi-Sectoral Approaches and cultural competency to ECM advocacy is essential.
- A track record of achieving or contributing to tangible policy influence/change.
- Proven experience in deploying a range of advocacy and communication tactics/methods.
- Experience in building and maintaining a network of external stakeholders, and in working with coalitions.
- Experience in leading the development, implementation and monitoring of digital strategies.
- Experience and current in digital and social media content and audience trends.
- Experience to facilitate learning and evidence-based advocacy among stakeholders.
How to Apply
The role is for two (2) year fixed term full-time contract. The successful candidate will work from the MAP Grantee's office much of the time. The successful candidate must be a Malawi national.