Manager, Strategic Advocacy, Research and Communication

Position: Manager, Strategic Advocacy, Research and Communications

Organisation: Confidential client — a non-governmental organisation in Kenya

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Reports to: Executive Director

Works closely with: Head of Programmes, MERL Officers, Senior Management Team and Board Supervises: Communications, Advocacy, MERL staff, consultants and interns as assigned

Level: Management

Employment Type: Full-time, fixed-term contract

The organisation is a Kenyan non-governmental organisation dedicated to combating trafficking in persons and supporting survivors of human trafficking.

It works across prevention, protection, prosecution and partnerships, with a strong commitment to survivor-centred, rights-based and trauma- informed approaches. As the organisation strengthens its position as a national actor in the fight against trafficking in persons, the organisation is seeking an experienced Manager, Strategic Advocacy, Research and Communications to strengthen its influence, evidence generation, policy engagement and public positioning. 2. Purpose of the Position The Manager, Strategic Advocacy, Research and Communications will lead the organisation's strategic advocacy, research, policy engagement and communications functions.

The position will translate the organisation's programme experience, survivor expertise and evidence into credible advocacy positions, policy recommendations, research products and strategic communications that influence policy, practice and public understanding of human trafficking. The post holder will strengthen the organisation's visibility and thought leadership while ensuring that communications remain ethical, evidence-based, survivor-centred and aligned with the organisation's strategic priorities. The role will work closely with the MERL and Programmes functions to ensure that evidence generated through programming is translated into influence, and that advocacy priorities are informed by research, data and lived experience.

Strategic Advocacy and Policy Influence

• Develop and implement the organisation's organisational advocacy strategy and annual advocacy plan. ● Identify strategic policy and legislative priorities relevant to trafficking in persons. ● Monitor developments in national, regional and international anti-trafficking policy and legislation. ● Develop advocacy strategies aimed at influencing policy, legislation, institutional practice and resource allocation. ● Build and maintain relationships with government institutions, Parliament, county governments, regional bodies, civil society, development partners and other relevant stakeholders.
• Represent the organisation in policy dialogues, technical working groups, conferences and sector forums as delegated. ● Develop advocacy briefs, policy papers, position statements and recommendations. ● Coordinate the organisation's engagement on key policy and legislative processes. ● Identify opportunities for strategic litigation, policy advocacy or coalition advocacy in consultation with management and relevant partners. ● Track advocacy commitments and policy developments and assess their implications for the organisation and survivors. ● Support the organisation's engagement with relevant national and regional anti-trafficking mechanisms. B.

Survivor-Led and Evidence-Based Advocacy

• Ensure the organisation's advocacy is grounded in credible evidence and survivor expertise. ● Develop mechanisms for meaningful and safe participation of survivors in advocacy initiatives. ● Work with the Survivor Advisory Board and survivor advocates, where appropriate, to inform advocacy priorities. ● Ensure survivor participation is voluntary, informed, safe and does not reduce survivors to their experiences or stories. ● Promote the use of survivor expertise in policy and systems discussions. ● Translate programme evidence and survivor-informed learning into practical policy recommendations. ● Ensure advocacy does not compromise survivor confidentiality, dignity or safety. C.

Research and Knowledge Generation

• Develop and implement the organisation's research agenda in alignment with the organisational strategy. ● Identify research priorities based on emerging trafficking trends, programme evidence, survivor needs and policy gaps. ● Lead or coordinate research studies, assessments and policy research. ● Develop research concepts, methodologies, terms of reference and research protocols. ● Coordinate external researchers and consultants where required. ● Conduct literature reviews, desk research and policy analysis. ● Analyse existing evidence to identify gaps and emerging trends in trafficking in persons. ● Support the development of research reports, policy papers, thematic studies and knowledge products.
• Ensure research is ethically conducted and appropriately documented.
• Develop mechanisms for translating research findings into advocacy, programming and communications. ● Strengthen the organisation's position as a credible source of knowledge on human trafficking. D. Strategic Communications
• Develop and implement the organisation's organisational communications strategy. ● Strengthen the organisation's institutional positioning and public profile. ● Develop key organisational messages and communication priorities. ● Ensure consistency in the organisation's public messaging across platforms and audiences. ● Oversee development of website, social media, newsletters, publications, press releases and other communications products.
• Develop communications plans for major organisational initiatives, campaigns and events. ● Coordinate media engagement and support management and designated spokespeople. ● Develop press statements, media briefs, talking points, speeches and briefing materials. ● Identify opportunities to position the organisation's expertise in national and international media. ● Monitor media coverage and public discourse relating to human trafficking. ● Develop strategies for responding to misinformation and emerging narratives relating to trafficking. E. Thought Leadership and Institutional Positioning
• Position the organisation as a credible and authoritative voice on human trafficking.
• Identify opportunities for the organisation's leadership to contribute to national and international policy and sector discussions. ● Develop opinion pieces, policy commentary, research summaries and other thought-leadership products. ● Support senior leadership with speeches, presentations, talking points and briefing notes. ● Coordinate participation in high-level conferences, policy dialogues and public forums. ● Develop strategic partnerships that strengthen the organisation's influence and visibility. ● Track the organisation's influence, reach and engagement across strategic audiences. F. Campaigns and Public Engagement
• Lead development and implementation of strategic advocacy and public awareness campaigns.
• Develop campaign concepts, key messages, audiences and communication channels. ● Ensure campaigns are evidence-based and aligned with the organisation's advocacy objectives. ● Coordinate campaign materials across digital, print and other platforms. ● Develop targeted campaigns around emerging trafficking risks and prevention priorities. ● Work with programme teams to ensure public campaigns accurately reflect programme realities and survivor needs. ● Monitor campaign reach, engagement and effectiveness. G. Digital Communications and Technology
• Lead the organisation's strategic use of digital platforms for advocacy and communications. ● Develop and manage digital communication strategies across relevant platforms.
• Use analytics to assess digital engagement and audience behaviour. ● Identify emerging digital communication trends and technologies relevant to the organisation.
• Explore responsible use of AI and digital tools for communications, research, content development and monitoring. ● Ensure all AI-assisted content is reviewed for accuracy, bias, confidentiality and ethical considerations. ● Strengthen the organisation's digital presence and accessibility of its knowledge products. H. Research, Data and MERL Integration
• Work closely with the MERL Manager to identify evidence that can inform advocacy and communications. ● Translate MERL findings into accessible policy and communication products. ● Use programme data to identify advocacy priorities and emerging issues. ● Support development of organisational reports, annual reports and evidence products.
• Ensure communications claims are supported by credible and verifiable evidence. ● Collaborate with MERL to measure the reach and influence of advocacy and communications activities. ● Develop mechanisms for documenting policy influence and advocacy outcomes. I. Donor and Institutional Communications
• Support development of high-quality donor-facing communication products. ● Contribute to project reports, organisational reports, newsletters and donor updates where required. ● Develop impact stories and programme highlights using ethical and informed approaches. ● Support management and programme teams in preparing presentations and communication materials for donors and partners.
• Ensure communications products meet organisational and donor branding requirements. ● Contribute to proposal development through organisational positioning, evidence and communication inputs. J. Crisis and Reputation Management
• Develop and maintain a communications protocol for sensitive or high-risk situations. ● Support management in responding to media enquiries and reputational risks. ● Monitor emerging issues that could affect the organisation's reputation or programme operations. ● Coordinate accurate and timely communication during organisational or sector-related crises. ● Ensure public statements involving survivors or sensitive cases are appropriately authorised and ethically developed.
• Maintain clear protocols regarding who may speak publicly on behalf of the organisation. K. Partnerships and Sector Engagement
• Build strategic relationships with organisations working on human trafficking, migration, gender, human rights and related issues. ● Strengthen the organisation's participation in national, regional and international networks. ● Identify opportunities for joint advocacy, research and communications initiatives. ● Represent the organisation in relevant technical and policy forums. ● Develop partnerships with academic institutions, research organisations and media platforms. ● Support strategic engagement with government and development partners.

Team Leadership and Capacity Building

• Lead and supervise staff within the advocacy, research and communications function. ● Develop annual work plans and performance objectives for the function. ● Build staff capacity in advocacy, policy analysis, research, communications and digital engagement. ● Coordinate consultants and service providers supporting research and communications. ● Promote collaboration between advocacy, programmes, MERL and communications. ● Foster a culture of evidence, innovation, ethical storytelling and strategic influence. 4.

Key Deliverables

The position will be expected to deliver, among others:

• Annual Strategic Advocacy Plan
• Organisational Communications Strategy
• Annual Research Agenda
• Advocacy briefs and policy papers
• Research reports and thematic studies
• Policy and legislative analysis
• Position papers and advocacy statements
• Media engagement and press materials
• Strategic campaigns
• Annual organisational report
• Knowledge products and learning briefs
• Digital communications and visibility plans
• Stakeholder and policy engagement mapping
• Advocacy and communications monitoring reports
• Documentation of policy influence and organisational impact

5

Essential

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Policy, International Relations, Development Studies, Law, Social Sciences or a related field. ● At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in strategic communications, advocacy, policy, research or a combination of these areas. ● At least 3 years in a management or senior technical role. ● Demonstrated experience developing and implementing advocacy strategies. ● Demonstrated experience conducting or managing research and policy analysis. ● Strong experience producing policy briefs, research reports and strategic communications products.
• Strong understanding of human trafficking, human rights, gender, migration or related issues. ● Demonstrated experience engaging government, policymakers, civil society, media and other stakeholders. ● Excellent written and verbal communication skills. ● Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills. ● Demonstrated ability to translate complex evidence into clear messages for different audiences. Desirable
• Master's degree in Communications, Public Policy, International Development, Law, Gender Studies, Human Rights, International Relations or a related field. ● Experience in the anti-trafficking or human rights sector. ● Experience working with survivor-led or survivor-centred organisations.
• Experience engaging Parliament or other policy-making institutions. ● Experience with regional or international advocacy. ● Experience in media relations and crisis communications. ● Experience using digital analytics and communications platforms. ● Experience using AI and emerging technologies for research and communications. ● Experience working with international NGOs or development partners. 6.

Technical Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate strong competence in:

• Advocacy strategy and policy influence
• Policy and legislative analysis
• Research design and implementation
• Qualitative research methodologies
• Evidence synthesis
• Strategic communications
• Media relations
• Digital communications
• Campaign development
• Stakeholder mapping and engagement
• Report and policy writing
• Public speaking and presentation
• Knowledge management
• Digital analytics
• AI-assisted research and communications
• Ethical storytelling and survivor-centred communications

Given the organisation's work with survivors and children, the post holder will have a high level of responsibility for ethical communications. The Manager will:

• Uphold the organisation's safeguarding and code of conduct requirements. ● Ensure survivor participation in advocacy and communications is voluntary, informed and safe. ● Ensure informed consent is obtained before using survivor photographs, stories, quotations or other identifiable information. ● Avoid sensationalising trafficking or portraying survivors primarily through their experiences of harm. ● Protect survivor confidentiality and personal information.
• Ensure children are not exposed through inappropriate communications or advocacy activities. ● Ensure research involving survivors follows appropriate ethical standards. ● Ensure AI and digital tools are not used in ways that compromise confidential survivor information. ● Ensure all public claims and statistics are accurate and appropriately sourced. ● Promote dignity, agency and survivor expertise in all of the organisation's communications. 8. Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

The organisation is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace. We welcome applications from qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Survivors of human trafficking are particularly encouraged to apply.

The organisation values the expertise, lived experience and perspectives of survivors and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment where survivor expertise is recognised and respected. 9. Terms and Conditions The position will be offered in accordance with the organisation's employment policies and applicable Kenyan labour laws. Salary and benefits will be commensurate with qualifications, experience and the organisation's remuneration structure. This job description provides a broad overview of the responsibilities of the position and may be revised in response to organisational needs and strategic priorities.

Apply through Dira HR Solutions' online application form and select this position. The full job description is linked from the form. Dira and its client never charge candidates any fee. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.