Promotion Expert- Tanzania
Promotion Expert – for awareness generation and increased investment in Orange-Fleshed Sweetpotato as a means to combat vitamin A deficiency and food insecurity
Established in 1915 with Helen Keller as a founding trustee, Helen Keller International (HKI) works to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. The organization combats the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition by establishing programs based on evidence and research. Each year, our programs directly benefit millions of people, particularly women and children.
HKI has been working on agricultural approaches to combat under-nutrition and improve incomes for over 20 years. In sub-Saharan Africa, one of the key strategies is introduction of orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) cultivars. Over the last decade, HKI, in partnership with International Potato Center (CIP) has been working to accelerate the investment and promotion of OFSP as a means to combat vitamin A deficiency and food insecurity. Now, HKI and CIP are launching a new regional project aimed at enhancing the capacity of African institutions, national and international civil society organizations and farmers’ networks to advocate for and generate resources that will support wider use and acceptance of OFSP – titled “Reaching Agents of Change (RAC)”.
HKI IN TANZANIA
The Tanzanian Country office was established in 1984 and has programs many programs around the country. The RAC project will be built on current projects and capacities and will enhance HKI’s work in nutrition and food security in Tanzania.
JOB SUMMARY Position title: Promotion expert Reports directly to: Country Director and Regional Advocacy Coordinator Collaborates with: The Promotion expert will support a team of national advocates, who will seek to influence public and private sector leaders and investors in the agriculture, nutrition, and health. The Promotion expert will work with national and international NGOs, governments, regional bodies and donor organizations to support and expand investment in the promotion of OFSP and to push for the creation of a favorable policy environment for food-based interventions to combat Vitamin A Deficiency. Advocacy activities will take place at country, Sub-regional and Regional levels.
MAJOR TASKS AND ACTIVITIES
• Lead and coordinate the participatory process towards development of a country level OFSP advocacy strategy
• Manage the operationalization and implementation of the Country OFSP advocacy strategy
• Develop and manage networks of partner agencies, national entities and other stakeholders for training, advocacy and fundraising
• Develop targeted advocacy materials and channels for communication
• Work with partners and stakeholders to explore innovative avenues of action for advocacy and for resource mobilization
• Establish and implement a small-grants scheme for innovative advocacy initiatives.
• Establish and maintain an M&E framework for monitoring the progress in the implementation of the advocacy strategy, as well as a database for monitoring target group contacts and resource mobilization.
• At the sub-regional and regional levels the Promotion Expert is expected to contribute to: Strengthening of sub-regional OFSP advocacy capacity – Development of OFSP advocacy materials for sub-regional and regional levels – Ensuring the flow of relevant information between various advocacy levels
SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:
• Masters degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Policy Analysis or related field
• Knowledge of agriculture, food security and/or public health and nutrition issues in the region and familiarity with the related policy environments
• Expertise in policy analysis including experience with formulating and implementing policy change and communication strategies
• Excellent project design skills and demonstrated ability to mobilize resources
• Practical experience with development of work plans, organizing events and workshops, and excellent social and facilitation skills
• An effective innovative and energetic team player with cultural sensitivity and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment and interact with different level actors.
• Strong oral communication and writing skills in KiSwahili and English and ability to express complex issues in simple terms.
• Organized, motivated and confident individual with ability to analyze complex information and devise effective, strategic solutions
TO APPLY: Terms of Employment: One year contract renewal upon mutual agreement.
Salary: Helen Keller International offers a competitive salary and conditions of employment.
To apply: Please send by email a cover letter, curriculum vitae and the name and email contacts of three professional references to HR consultant, at hki.hrconsult@gmail.com
Closing Date: 17th June 2011
