Advocacy Advisor at SOS Children's Villages International

SOS Children’s Villages International

  • Accra
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 30 days ago
Job DescriptionSOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGES GHANA is a child welfare organization that provides a stable Family-Like Care (FLC) for children in need. We also provide social services for families at risk through our Family Strengthening Projects. Currently, we operate in four locations Tema, Asiakwa, Kumasi, Tamale with the National Office in Accra.Applications are invited from suitably qualified and dynamic people for appointment asAdvocacy AdvisorDuty Post AccraUnder the leadership of the National Programmes Development Manager, the Advocacy Advisor will provide leadership in planning, designing, coordinating and monitoring advocacy activities in accordance with the organisation's policies, strategies, and available resources. The functional area supports SOS CV Ghana's strategic ambitions by positioning the organization as a credible and valued organization that meets the needs of its target group. Setting clear operating frameworks; anchoring, strengthening, designing and implementing advocacy strategy and policy; primarily advocating for and promoting the rights of children without parental care and those at risk of losing it and building alliances with relevant stakeholders and to gain strong national recognition for the organization. Providing technical advice to the leadership of the organisation in developing strategic goals and actions that will enable and position it to become the leading child rights advocate in Ghana. The incumbent will establish and maintain cooperation and partnerships with the child rights development actors.The ideal candidate should
  • Hold a first degree in Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Social Work, Human Rights, International Relations, Child Welfare and Psychology. A master's degree in a relevant field is an added advantage.
  • Have a minimum of five (5) years working experience. Three (3) years of which should be in Management and/or Community Development.
  • Possess a positive and professional approach to work. Highly organized, able to work independently and in a team, use initiative, and keep commitments. Ability to follow up and keep deadlines.
  • Have an understanding of social issues, such as education, health, HIV/AIDS, gender, youth and community empowerment.
  • Be a motivated self-starter with initiative, flexibility, and enthusiasm.
  • Be knowledgeable in Child Rights and Child Safeguarding & Protection Practices.
Skills & Competences
  • Networking & Partnership Building Skills.
  • Negotiation & Lobbying Skills.
  • Good communication & interpersonal skills.
  • Strategic thinker combined with practical “ can do'' attitude.
  • Strong analytical decision -making and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong report writing skills on timely basis.
  • Computer literacy-Microsoft Office Suite
Key Responsibilities
  • Advocacy Strategy Development & Implementation
  • Lead the development, coordination, and implementation of a national advocacy strategy that aligns with SOS Children's Villages International Office objectives.
  • Ensure the strategy remains relevant through regular reviews in response to socio-economic and political changes.
  • Work with the Fund Development & Communications team to ensure public engagement and consistent messaging that support social change.
  • Lead advocacy-related studies and research to analyze trends in national childcare legislation and practices.
  • Align national advocacy strategies with regional and global priorities, supporting capacity building within the organization.
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Policy Influence
  • Build and maintain partnerships with government agencies, policymakers, NGOs, and inter-governmental organizations to advocate for child protection policies.
  • Represent SOS Children's Villages Ghana in national advocacy platforms, networks, and policy engagements.
  • Organize and facilitate advocacy meetings, workshops, and dialogues with government officials, CSOs, and community-based child protection structures (CBCPs).
  • Engage with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to promote the implementation of the National Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour (NPA).
  • Advocate with the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development (MLGRD) to integrate child protection indicators into MMDA performance assessments.
  • Capacity Building & Training
  • Design and implement advocacy-training programs for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on policy analysis, fact-based advocacy, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Strengthen the capacity of 15 CBCPs to participate in child protection awareness campaigns and case management.
  • Develop training materials and advocacy toolkits for local organizations and stakeholders.
  • Build capacity of SOS CV Ghana staff across areas such as education, health, and child protection.
  • Facilitate knowledge-sharing on policy and legal frameworks for child welfare and alternative care.
  • Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
  • Monitor advocacy interventions and provide regular reports to the National Coordinator.
  • Document best practices, lessons learned, and success stories from advocacy activities.
  • Ensure alignment with sustainability strategies, including transitioning advocacy leadership to local partners.
  • Conduct systematic reviews to identify child labour hotspots and assess the impact of advocacy efforts.
  • Community-Level Engagement
  • Collaborate with MMDAs to form and strengthen Community Child Protection Committees (CCPCs).
  • Work with the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) to train CCPCs on child trafficking rehabilitation and reintegration strategies.
  • Organize sensitization forums and advocacy sessions on child rights and child labour prevention.
  • Develop and implement Community Action Plans (CAPs) against child labour in collaboration with local stakeholders.
  • Networking & Representation
  • Build relationships with civil society and advocacy networks to enhance collaboration and influence policy reforms.
  • Represent SOS CV Ghana in key governmental and NGO meetings and advocacy events.
  • Establish formal partnerships and alliances with relevant stakeholders to drive advocacy efforts.
  • Engage with key national and regional stakeholders to promote the integration of child rights in policy and practice.
  • Advocacy Resources & External Communications
  • Work with the Communications team to develop public messaging related to child rights and advocacy initiatives.
  • Coordinate the production and dissemination of advocacy resources for use by SOS CV Ghana and partner organizations.
  • Support research efforts and policy analysis to inform advocacy positions, briefing papers, and lobbying strategies.
  • Identify opportunities to raise SOS CV Ghana's profile through media and policy engagement.
This role is a five years contract, which may renewed subject to availability of funds.Closing Date 18th April, 2025HOW TO APPLY

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