Healthcare and MedicalFull-TimeSenior-level(6+ yrs)
Job Description
Amref Health Africa in Kenya is seeking a Regional Policy Officer to lead strategic policy advocacy and coordination efforts across Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. This role is designed for a strategic thinker with deep political acumen and cross-border experience who can translate community evidence into powerful policy narratives. The successful candidate will ensure that the voices of girls and survivors inform policy change at all levels by building bridges between diverse actors, including government officials, traditional leaders, youth advocates, CSOs, and survivors.
Develop and support the implementation of cross-border policy advocacy initiatives connecting Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia on the elimination of harmful practices.
Develop harmonized legal and policy frameworks that address borderland dynamics and enable consistent girl protection across borders.
Support government engagement across three countries to build aligned policies on FGM/C and CEFMU elimination.
Facilitate cross-border policy dialogues bringing together government officials, regional bodies, CSOs, and communities.
Map cross-border risks and protection gaps and develop policy recommendations.
Build relationships with border county/regional administrators to support coordinated protection approaches.
Support harmonization of legal frameworks with regional bodies (EAC, IGAD) on FGM/C Bills.
Monitor cross-border harmful practice patterns to inform policy responses.
National Policy Advocacy & Reform (25%)
Develop evidence-based policy advocacy strategies for Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
Support engagement with national governments (ministries, parliamentarians, legislative bodies) on FGM/C and CEFMU elimination policies.
Support policy reform processes, including guideline updates and implementation of existing bans.
Create evidence-based policy briefs tailored to each country context, drawing on programme data and survivor voices.
Develop policy position papers addressing barriers to the elimination of harmful practices.
Track and document policy changes and government commitments.
Regional & International Policy Advocacy (20%)
Support engagement with regional bodies (African Union, IGAD, EAC) on harmonized approaches.
Coordinate advocacy on the EAC FGM Bill and support regional legal harmonization.
Participate in international forums (CEDAW, UN Human Rights Council, UNGA) to amplify evidence from border communities.
Represent the programme at key regional policy meetings and conferences.
Youth & CSO Policy Advocacy Support (10%)
Build the capacity of border-based CSOs in cross-border policy advocacy.
Train youth advocates and CSO staff on evidence-based policy engagement.
Coach survivors and affected girls in sharing their voices in policy spaces.
Organize joint CSO-youth advocacy activities connecting grassroots voices with policymakers.
Policy Evidence & Documentation (5%)
Package programme evidence into policy-relevant materials for government and regional bodies.
Monitor policy developments across the three countries and report on implications for girls' protection.
Document policy wins, barriers, and learnings from cross-border advocacy work.
Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Law, Development, Gender Studies, International Relations, or a related field.
Minimum 7+ years of professional experience in policy advocacy, government engagement, or policy analysis.
Minimum 5+ years working specifically on gender equality, women's rights, girls' protection, or harmful practices elimination.
Demonstrated experience working across multiple countries, particularly in East Africa or similar complex borderland contexts.
Proven track record of influencing policy change or supporting policy reform processes.
Strong understanding of regional governance mechanisms (African Union, IGAD, EAC) and international human rights frameworks.
Direct experience working on FGM/C, child marriage elimination, or girls' rights is essential.
Fluency in English and proficiency in at least one of the following: Amharic, Somali, or Kiswahili.
Skills and Competencies
Advanced skills in policy analysis and advocacy strategy development.
Ability to facilitate dialogue and build trust across different governance systems and cultural contexts.
Diplomatic sensitivity and political acumen for navigating multi-country environments.
Excellent written communication skills for producing high-quality policy briefs and position papers.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Deep commitment to gender equality and amplifying community voices.
Working Environment and Travel
Significant travel (estimated 40-50% of time) across the program regions, including borderland communities.
Operating in complex political environments with variable security contexts.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the Amref Kenya application portal on SmartRecruiters. Follow this link to the application page: https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/apply-now/1210868. Ensure you provide all necessary documentation as requested in the application form.
