Advisor, Insights & Advocacy

Advisor, Insights & Advocacy

Contract: Full time; two years fixed term, renewable

Remuneration: Competitive, based on experience and competence

Location: Nairobi

About us

Africa Practice is an advocacy and innovation practice. By combining a deep understanding of local context and the drivers of human behaviour, with systems-level action, we build markets and systems that work for a prosperous Africa that inspires the world. For over 20 years, we have been partnering with global investors, policy-makers, development partners and other changemakers to drive transformation on the continent. 

Our insights, advocacy and innovation solutions are rooted in detailed systems and stakeholder understanding. We identify, generate, and analyse human-centred systems data to design impactful advocacy interventions. We deliver our world-class insights and advocacy solutions through our local presence.

We operate as one company, with a diverse team working on a hybrid basis in Abuja, Cape Town, Dakar, Dar es Salaam, Gaborone, Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, and London. We are risk analysts, development economists, advocates, storytellers, data scientists, policy experts,  systems thinkers and creative minds. Over 80% of our staff are African and over 50% are women. We have been a signatory to the UN Global Compact since 2021 and we are B-Corp accredited.

About the role  

We are looking for a senior political insights and stakeholder engagement specialist, with a nuanced understanding of the Kenyan political economy, deep networks in the public and private sectors and a proven track record of effective engagement in the policymaking process. The successful candidate will demonstrate outstanding project management skills and lead project teams in designing and delivering innovative solutions to complex development challenges. The key responsibilities are as follows:

Consulting services 

Maintain a detailed, deep, and powerful stakeholder network and surface nuanced insights into the national and sub-national (e.g. county-level) political economy shaping the policymaking process for specific issues

Design and lead stakeholder engagements at the highest levels for clients and Africa Practice teams

Actively monitor global and continental policy and institutional trends to understand how issues outside the region might influence and shape the design of policy in Kenya and the region

Direct robust analysis of complex public policy, regulation and legislation and guide teams to deliver actionable policy insights and advisory for clients through highly visual multimedia formats, engaging and interactive verbal presentations and concise, authoritative written output

Lead client and project teams in the co-creation of innovative, inclusive and evidence-based policy solutions, involving a range of stakeholders potentially impacted by the policy

Contribute to the design and delivery of progressive policy testing methods, including smart use of data and the development of creative multimedia assets and immersive experiences to capture stakeholders’ attention and motivate action

Advise on and drive execution of policy advocacy strategy, including grasstops and grassroots engagement to champion and enable broad participation in the policy-shaping process

Ensure that consulting projects are delivered within the required timeframe and budgeted hours while simultaneously satisfying Africa Practice’s high quality standards

Contribute to the development of our methodologies and the continual evolution of our value propositions, including supporting marketing and thought leadership  initiatives

Business development

Proactively identify new business opportunities and methodically qualify leads

Develop targeted and compelling proposals that respond to clients’ stated and unstated needs and add value

Develop and maintain a network that yields high-value insights, new business opportunities and technical expertise across multiple sectors and geographies – including for subcontracting

Leadership

Provide clear guidance and proactive coaching and support to colleagues

Demonstrate emotional intelligence and empathy in managing relationships 

Contribute to a healthy, inclusive and sustainable working culture

What we are looking for

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

At least 8 years of professional experience advising on complex political economy, policy, legislative and regulatory issues in Kenya

Passion for advancing innovative, human-centred public policy in Africa and a track record of exploring and applying best practice in substance and process

A nuanced appreciation for the political economy dynamics and drivers that shape policy and regulation at national and sub-national level 

Deep knowledge of issues relating to the policy-making and legal sector, health, energy transition or food security and nutrition is an advantage.

Outstanding critical thinking and analytical capability, highly creative solution design and  proactivity in execution 

Strong project management skills - proven ability to accurately scope a programme of work, direct multiple project teams to deliver on schedule, on budget and to a high quality standard, manage client relationships, ensure accurate project documentation and adopt a proactive approach to opportunity identification and risk management

Ability to thrive in an agile and dynamic consulting environment by multitasking and prioritising effectively across a portfolio of projects

Proven ability to manage volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity  

Confidence in navigating data sets, digital analytics and new technologies

Ability to cultivate strong, trust-based relationships within the company, with clients and with the wider political economy and stakeholder ecosystem

Outstanding influencing, persuasion and engagement skills in verbal and written formats 

Masters degree in a relevant discipline (public policy, international relations, political science, law); postgraduate degree preferred

What we offer

We offer the successful candidate an opportunity to develop a rewarding career within a dynamic pan-African consultancy advising a prestigious portfolio of clients. This position offers:

Competitive remuneration

Immediate opportunities for growth

Collaboration with a diverse and experienced team of colleagues

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are much less likely to apply for a position unless they meet every single qualification. So this notwithstanding, if you are excited about this role, we would love to hear from you. At Africa Practice, we are dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse and authentic workplace. You might just be the new team member we are looking for – for this or other roles. 

Do you want to contribute to an influential and prosperous Africa, inspiring the world? We’re looking for Africa’s changemakers – smart people with strong analytical, advocacy, digital and problem-solving skills who can reconcile diverse perspectives to deliver sustainable change. 

Please send in your application by clicking on the “apply” button. 

Do include a cover letter explaining why you think you are suited to this position and indicating your availability. Your documents must be entitled with “*your name* Advisor, Insights & Advocacy, Nairobi”.

The vacancy is immediately open for suitable applications and will be closed as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. Early applications are advised.