Advocacy Officer

The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) seeks two Advocacy Officers to provide strategic direction and advisory support on advocacy at the regional level. OSIWA is part of the Open Society Foundations network and works to support open societies through democracy, governance, freedoms, and civic participation in West Africa. The Advocacy Officers will prepare briefing materials, assist with advocacy, and work with social media to disseminate messages and mobilize public opinion regarding issues in West Africa. Qualified candidates should have policy experience, language skills, analytical abilities, and sensitivity for cultural communication differences.

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Advocacy Officer

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Francetta

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OPEN SOCIETY INITIATIVE FOR WEST AFRICA (OSIWA)

ADVOCACY OFFICERS

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are
accountable to their citizens. To achieve this mission, the Foundations seek to shape public policies that assure
greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. On a local level, the
Open Society Foundations implement a range of initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and
independent media. At the same time, we build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as
corruption and freedom of information. The Foundations place a high priority on protecting and improving the
lives of people in marginalized communities.

Investor and philanthropist George Soros established the Open Society Foundations, starting in 1984, to help
countries make the transition from communism. Our activities have grown to encompass the United States and
more than 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Each Foundation relies on the expertise of
boards composed of eminent citizens who determine individual agendas based on local priorities.

The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) is an advocacy and grant making foundation that forms
part of the global Open Society Foundations Network. OSIWA is based in Dakar, Senegal and works to support
the creation of open societies in West Africa marked by functioning democracy, good governance, the rule of
law, basic freedoms, and widespread civic participation. It has offices in Abuja, Monrovia, Freetown and
Conakry.

OSIWA seeks two ADVOCACY OFFICERS for its Dakar Regional and ABUJA Offices to provide strategic
direction and advisory support on advocacy at the regional level. S/he identifies opportunities, and then plans
and develops strategies for OSIWA advocacy. S/he is responsible for following-up on the execution and
ensuring smooth and effective development and implementation of the OSIWA advocacy plan.

The Advocacy Officers will under the supervision of the Executive Director, prepare briefing materials for
meetings, summarizing developments and articulating recommendations; prepare briefing materials for advocacy
on the situation in the country offices, in the regional institutions like ECOWAS, AU, Mano River Union,
etc... and potential related travel; assisting in the production and release of news briefings; Update briefing
materials to reflect new data/research findings/news reports where reliable; provide daily/weekly support for
international advocates in terms of transmitting political analysis, writing briefing material and other assistance
to support international advocacy; work with diverse social media and technology tools for dissemination of
messages, monitoring of official conduct and mobilization of public opinion; planning work with OSI’s
international advocates and working with OSF Network Programs their outputs – press releases, policy briefs
etc.

STELE MERMOZ N° 100 EL HADJ IBRAHIMA NIASSE X RUE PPCI DAKAR, SENEGAL
POSTAL ADDRESS: P.O.BOX 008, DAKAR-FANN, SENEGAL
PHONE: +221-33 869-1024/ 33 869-1033/33 869-1036 • FAX: +221-33 824-0942
EMAIL: [email protected]  www.osiwa.org
Qualification, experience and skills:
o Four to six years relevant work experience and background as an academic, policy analyst or
experienced editorial commentator who has worked in an institution that deals in policy advice
and analysis; he/she will preferably have direct experience of researching policy issues and
producing reports and advice for policy makers to use.
o Graduate degree in relevant field;
o NGO or foundation experience preferred. Familiarity with OSIWA work and West Africa
context are essential.
o Excellent verbal, organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills;
o Excellent written and oral English and French, exceptional analytic capacity and skills;
o Knowledge of local West African languages desirable
o Excellent listening and communication skills with sensitivity to cultural communication
differences;
o Flexibility and willingness to work as a team member and independently, with a high level of
self motivation;
o Ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced working
environment;
o Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and shows discretion and ability to handle confidential
issues;
o Ability to travel internationally on a frequent basis;
o Excellent and extensive computer skills and high comfort level with computer research,
database management, proficient in Microsoft Office, experience with database management
preferred;
o Excellent coordination, networking and facilitation skills;
o Ability to operate in a difficult working environment;
o Poised and works well under pressure, attentive to detail and prioritizes and works well under
pressure, often simultaneously on a wide range of tasks and projects;
o Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition in interacting with senior management, co-
workers and the general public.