Regional Policy Officer

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, law, development, gender studies, international relations, or related field
  
• Minimum 7+ years 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.
  

Cross-border Policy Harmonziation & Coordonation (40%)

• 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 from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia
  
• Map cross-border risks and protection gaps and develop policy recommendations to address them
  
• Build relationships with border county/regional administrators and government officials to support coordinated protection approaches
  
• Support harmonization of legal frameworks with regional bodies (EAC, IGAD) on FGM/C Bill and cross-border protection mechanisms
  
• Monitor cross-border harmful practices patterns and inform policy response
  

National Policy Advocacy & Reform (25%)

• Develop and support the implementation of evidence-based policy advocacy strategies for each country (Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia)
  
• Support engagement with national governments (ministries, parliamentarians, legislative bodies) on FGM/C and CEFMU elimination policies
  
• Support policy reform processes, including guideline updates, law enforcement, 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 key barriers to the elimination of harmful practices
  
• Support parliamentary advocacy and engagement with legislators on protective legislation
  
• Track and document policy changes and government commitments to elimination efforts
  
• Work with country teams to maintain a database of key policy contacts and decision-makers across three countries
  

Regional & International Policy Advocacy (20%)

• Support engagement with regional bodies (African Union, IGAD, EAC) on harmonized approaches to the elimination of harmful practices
  
• Coordinate advocacy on EAC FGM Bill and support regional legal harmonization
  
• Support participation in international forums (CEDAW, UN Human Rights Council, UNGA) to amplify evidence from border communities
  
• Leverage international observance days (Zero Tolerance for FGM/C, International Day of the Girl Child) for cross-border advocacy campaigns
  
• Build relationships with regional and international advocacy networks working on girls' rights and harmful practices
  
• Represent the programme at key regional policy meetings and conferences
  
• Document and share cross-border policy learnings with regional partners and international platforms
  

Youth & CSO Policy Advocacy Support (10%)

• Build the capacity of border-based CSOs in cross-border policy advocacy
  
• Work closely with Country Teams to support the training of youth advocates and CSO staff on evidence-based policy engagement across borders.
  
• Support cross-border youth networks in joint policy advocacy campaigns
  
• Work with country teams to coach survivors and affected girls in sharing their voices in policy spaces
  
• Organise joint CSO-youth advocacy activities that connect grassroots voices with policymakers
  
• Document and amplify policy wins from community-led advocacy efforts
  
• Ensure that safe spaces are created for survivors to participate in policy dialogue
  

Policy Evidence & Documentation (5%)

• Package programme evidence into policy-relevant materials for government and regional bodies
  
• Work with country teams to monitor policy developments across three countries and report on implications for girls' protection
  
• Document policy wins, barriers, and learnings from cross-border advocacy work
  
• Maintain records of government commitments and track follow-up and implementation