LOCATION: Bangladesh
SALARY: Competitive
STARTING DATE:  As soon as possible

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is driven by the vision of a world without malnutrition. GAIN is a Swiss based international organization that mobilizes public-private partnerships and provides financial and technical support to deliver nutritious foods to those people most at risk of malnutrition.  The organization is delivering improved nutrition to an estimated 700 million people in more than 30 countries, half of whom are women and children. 

The Policy and Advocacy team is playing a crucial role to achieve GAIN’s vision. Global and national advocacy efforts can improve policies/legislations and enhance the effectiveness and reach of our nutrition interventions.  GAIN’s advocacy efforts target public and political will and focus on generating resources to enable positive environment for the programs.  GAIN does this by working with constituencies from within the public, private sectors, civil society and people’s networks.
GAIN is uniquely positioned to be a leader in policy and advocacy for nutrition among the global health and business communities and is now seeking a Manager- Policy and Advocacy to drive this initiative in Bangladesh, working closely with the Country Manager as well as with colleagues in the Policy and Advocacy team in Bangladesh Country Office and GAIN Headquarters. 

Manager, Policy and Advocacy

The Manager, Policy and Advocacy will provide leadership and management oversight to the country office policy, advocacy and communication functions including influencing key decision makers and political leaders, setting the agenda for a pro poor public policy and legislation, building and strengthening strategic alliances and networks. The person will steer the country office visibility strategy and communications to ensure GAIN as a partner of choice. S/he will specifically provide leadership and management oversight to the policy and advocacy functions of Maternal Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) program in Bangladesh.

Responsibilities

• To catalyze actions and facilitate national policies, regulations, strategies that support and create an enabling environment around MIYCN program in the country. 
• To support people centered advocacy programs that enhance community and civil society organization’s interest on home fortification program specifically on increased uptake of this model/product in micronutrient powder.
• To map and analyze key policies, decision makers and political leaders relevant to the nutrition arena, particularly related to malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency.
• To engage with political leaders and parliamentarians, senior government functionaries, civil society members, industrialists, quasi-judicial bodies and other key decision makers to share information on policies, best practice, and approaches to reduce malnutrition in Bangladesh.
• To develop advocacy strategy to include Parliamentary standing Committee/ Young Parliamentarians, Civil society.
• To coordinate regular meetings, provide technical support and engage with potential stakeholders in Program Management Unit (PMU), Technical Advisory Groups, and Oversight Committee constituted through various programs.
• To provide advocacy and program communication support for GAIN’s Bangladesh portfolio of programs, specifically to document and disseminate success and learning to key stakeholders.
• To liaise and engage with  district level functionaries and local government members at district level, and below, that can strengthen supplies and services relating to nutrition and nutrition Products.  To support all GAIN partnership projects on its efforts to address policies and reforms.
• To represents GAIN at national and/or regional advocacy events.
• To serve as a linkage with the local media to keep malnutrition high on the agenda and increase visibility in the print and electronic media.
• To provide feedback to health and media correspondents in print and electronic media on issues related to malnutrition. 

Experience

• 15+ years of professional experience at progressive senior levels in advocacy, public policy, and campaign strategy development and implementation, including experience working with the Bangladesh government’s policy makers, researchers, advocates, and other stakeholders in Bangladesh.
• Experience in drafting policy and law and contributing to policy direction, policy reforms, branding and positioning and advocacy for an organization.
• A strong track record of understanding and influencing policy dialogue and implementation to improve program impact.  Direct experience in high level meetings and similar settings, in order to advocate, cultivate and negotiate significant partnerships.
• Experience in global and/or national health and development and strong knowledge on the current issues of Bangladesh and the region; Experience in related fields, such as development, communications, leadership engagement and management.
• Experience and comfort in donor and developing country leadership settings, with leaders/decision makers from all sectors.
• Proven track record of working with the media to raise the profile of a cause and/or organization.
• Ability to build and strengthen networks, strategic alliances, and people based campaigns.
• Experience in mature, fast paced and start-up settings.

Skills & Attributes

• Knowledge of policy, legislation, budget and advocacy strategies.  Ability to lead people based campaigns, prepare citizen’s report and integrate rights based approaches in policy and advocacy initiatives.
• Comfort with multi-tasking and operating in a fast paced, multi-faceted, and multi-cultural environment Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team.
• Demonstrated excellence in communication, research, writing, and analytic ability.
• Keen ability and interest in analyzing data and trends to advocate around appropriate policies.
• Keen ability to understand and analyze legislation, taxation policies, protocols and standards.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English and Bengali is a must.

Education

• Bachelors or Masters (preferred) in international relations,  public health, communications, public relations, economics, business administration, law or related field.