Vacancy Advertisement
Advocacy Manager (Internal and External)
The African Disability Forum (ADF) is a continental membership organization of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Africa whose vision is to see an inclusive Africa where all persons with disabilities and their families have their rights and voices respected and participate actively in the life of their communities and nations as outlined in the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Currently, ADF has 49 National Umbrella Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, ten continental and four sub-regional OPDs.
ADF is dedicated to promoting the human rights of persons with disabilities, to advancing access and full participation on equal bases with others in the community they live in. Since 2020, ADF has been working in more than 15 countries across Africa, implementing high-quality programmes that deliver long-lasting benefits for persons with disabilities. The organization has grown rapidly, expanding from two staff members in 2020 to 29 staff in 2025. The ADF secretariat members are based in various countries across Africa and collaborate with ADF members, who are the direct implementers of the projects at the national level.
Currently, ADF is co-implementing the BRIDGE (Boosting the Rights of Individuals with Disabilities in Africa) project, which aims to strengthen the capacity of regional actors to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Africa. The project will strengthen the capacities of national umbrella federations of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) in Africa and support the ratification, implementation and monitoring of the African Disability Protocol (ADP). BRIDGE is financed by the GIZ commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Job Summary: The Advocacy Manager strategizes and manages advocacy activities to effectively promote more ratification, communicate key messages and initiatives related to the ADP. Support the institutional, technical, operational and sustained advocacy capacity of ADF and its members to also ensure effectiveness, efficiency and impact creation. Monitor and analyzes advocacy metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the effectiveness of advocacy strategies and tactics; and making data-driven improvement.
ADF is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Advocacy Manager to lead and implement the components on advocacy strategy and activities as well as effectively promoting key messages to both internal and external audiences. The Advocacy Manager will play a crucial role in enhancing visibility of ADF, its members and the BRIDGE Africa project, managing advocacy activities, media relations, and engaging key stakeholders through effective advocacy strategies. Hence, ADF would like to invite potential candidates to apply for the vacant post described below.
Job Description: Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop a baseline and strategy for BRIDGE Africa project advocacy engagement by reviewing African Disability Protocol (ADP) and in alignment with the ADF strategic plan (2024-2028), Advocacy policy and strategy, the Nairobi Declaration and its members status.
- Implement a comprehensive advocacy strategy as well as create and deliver compelling messaging and content to promote and support more ratification processes of ADP.
- Monitor media coverage in the sense of promoting ADP ratification and disability inclusive development sector trends, proactively identify potential issues, and develop strategies to mitigate reputational risks.
- Drive engagement and support.
- Design evidence-based advocacy campaigns, lobby mechanisms for ADF and its national umbrella Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) with regional, national policy makers and national governments.
- Work in close collaboration with the Senior Communication Officer and to effectively communicate key messages and initiatives as well as to support internal and external communications, including developing press releases and conference, Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) materials, documentation, newsletters, website and social media contents and interviews including employee communications.
- Provide support to OPDs to engage media, to build and maintain relationships with key journalists, bloggers, and influencers.
- Collaborate with the Human Rights Advisor in implementing the BRIDGE Africa project activities.
- Collaborate with the ADF Capacity Building Director in initiatives to strengthen member OPDs governance, program delivery, advocacy, financial management, strategic planning, and MERLA.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including program, advocacy and communication, administration, senior management team and executive leadership to ensure consistent brand messaging across all touchpoints.Stay updated on emerging communication trends, technologies, and best practices, and integrate them into the organization’s advocacy efforts.
- Deliverables
Major deliverables include but not limited to:
- A baseline report for African Disability Protocol (ADP) ratification status.
- A detailed, written strategy document outlining key communication and advocacy goals, target audiences, messages, and tactics to support the BRIDGE Africa project objectives and ADF’s mission.
- Well-prepared press releases, newsletters, social media content (posts and campaigns), website content updates, and guidance for internal employee communications (emails, intranet updates, etc.).
- Brand messaging and content creation, including social media campaign content (graphics and text), articles, and blogs to promote the ADF’s mission and initiatives.
- A media list/database of key journalists, bloggers, and influencers, regular media outreach emails or call scripts, and press contact reports summarizing key relationships and engagements.
- Media coverage reports tracking mentions of ADP, along with proactive response plans or mitigation strategies for potential reputational issues.
- Management of press conference plans (agendas, talking points, speaker schedules), event materials (invitations, media and guest briefing kits), and post-event media follow-up.
- Produce Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and metrics reports evaluating engagement across media, social, and other channels, with recommendations for improvement based on performance data.
- Reports on emerging communication trends, tools, and best practices, including implementation plans for integrating new technologies into the communications strategy.
2. Reporting and Supervision
The Advocacy Manager will report directly to the Capacity Development Director and will closely collaborate with the Advocacy and Communications Director and Human Rights Advisor. Regular progress meetings will be held to ensure alignment.
3. Required Qualifications and experiences
- Batchelor or Master’s degree from a recognized university in human rights, international law, International relations , gender , social work, communications and public relations, or other related field and (8 years of related experience for Bachelor degree) and (5 years of related experience for Master’s degree)
- Proven experience in advocacy engagement leading role including corridor lobbying, community mobilization and seizing effective advocacy moments, preferably in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
- Excellent understanding of the global and regional environments, instruments and policy frameworks for promotion of disability and human rights.
- Demonstrated success in developing and implementing advocacy and communication strategies and campaigns.
- Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience in managing media relations and building relationships with journalists and influencers.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant communication tools.
- Ability to travel as needed for events and media engagements.
- Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with OPDs, civil society partners and donors.
4. Required Skills
- Extensive experience in media relations, advocacy crisis communication, and reputation management.
- Proficient in using various communication tools and platforms, including social media management tools, content management systems, and research tools.
- Strong leadership and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with media contacts, stakeholders, and team members.
- Excellent skills on managing social media/digital communication, message, content creation and PR activities
- Creative and strategic thinking, with the ability to develop innovative communication strategies and adapt to changing circumstances.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills, with the ability to gather and synthesize information to make informed decisions.
- Demonstrated track record of successfully managing and effectively working in a diverse language and culture context.
- Excellent ability in speaking and writing in English and French is preferable.
- Computer skills (Word, Excel and Power Point) and experience of using online/virtual communication platforms.
5. Competencies and values
- Professionalism
- Integrity
- Transparency and accountability
- Teamwork and respect for diversity
- Commitment to continuous learning
- Planning and organizing
- Communication
- Flexibility
Duration
The Advocacy Manager role will run for a period of one year with a potential for extension based on performance, program needs and availability of funding.
How to Apply
Interested applicants who meet the above criteria should submit their CV with a 1-page motivation letter through jobs@adf-secretrariat.org, by 2 January 2025 using the subject line: Advocacy Manager Vacancy.
Persons with Disabilities and Women are highly encouraged to apply.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for exam/interview, no phone calls please.
