Director - Advocacy, Policy & Marketing

Overview:

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, California, USA. AHF operates across 48 countries worldwide and has over 2 million patients in care, the majority of whom are in Africa. AHF Africa comprises 14 country programs. AHF collaborates with the Governments of these countries through Ministries /Departments of Health (MoH) to provide cutting-edge medicine and free HIV and AIDS services, including antiretroviral therapy in resource-constrained settings. The organization now seeks to hire a highly competent, dynamic, and experienced person to fill the position below.

Job Summary:

The Director for Advocacy, Policy, and Marketing, under the guidance of the Africa Bureau Chief, is responsible for providing strategic direction and leading advocacy and policy initiatives in the bureau, shaping AHF’s response to key policy trends and matters arising. This includes drafting, analyzing, and implementing policies both internally and with external stakeholders, providing strategic guidance for the development of relevant marketing initiatives and supporting AHF's overall mission to ensure improved access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and key public health initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

Advocacy & Policy

• Identify, develop, and implement appropriate advocacy strategies based on prioritized policy issues in the region. This includes coordination, mobilization, and communication with other key development partners, advocacy networks, and key decision makers.
• Provide leadership and guide the implementation of all advocacy and marketing plans, including budgets as presented by Country Teams.
• Develop impactful high-level advocacy strategies for engagement of parliamentarians, the African Union, the African CDC, and other regional platforms that advance HIV/AIDS and public health.
• Provide guidance and work with country teams to advocate and support efforts to support policy change as assigned by AHF and implementation of approved policies.
• Manage high-profile engagements on HIV health policy and public health at the bureau level and at global events, as required, including influencing agendas to raise awareness about HIV and global public health.
• In collaboration with the Global Advocacy & Marketing Department, develop a clear strategy for positioning AHF’s led policy and advocacy agenda and initiatives that will critically inform in-country strategy and an implementation plan for their efficient delivery.
• Keeps abreast of research, policy development, and debates in Africa and globally that are relevant to the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly issues of prevention and treatment.
• Lead the development of and represent AHF in high-visibility coalitions and conferences.
• Liaise with regional and international media and serve as AHF’s primary policy researcher, advisor, advocate, and public relations representative for the bureau.
• Take the lead on drafting press briefs and work closely with the communications and global advocacy departments, as well as PR firms, to ensure regular engagement with media and promote a sustained public profile of AHF’s work and key advocacy issues. This will also include creating, developing, and maintaining good relations with the media, as well as preparing advocacy materials such as policy briefs, position papers, and communication messages.
• Work with a variety of stakeholders, take the lead in scanning the environment, and maximize the organization’s opportunities for external engagement.
• Coordinate and communicate AHF advocacy and policy change programs with other regional and national development networks, with key decision and policy makers, and national and regional media

Marketing

• In collaboration with the Director of Global Advertising and Media,
  • Promote the work of AHF at national, regional, and international levels and maintain a comprehensive communication and marketing strategy for all programs/initiatives to maximize support, cooperation with partners, and build AHF’s brand.
  • Implement, monitor, and evaluate marketing communications strategies, including advertising, promotions, and public relations, to support the marketing objectives and maximize the positive exposure in local, national, and regional markets.
• Coordinate with Medical, Prevention, and Advocacy Coordinators and Country Program Managers to.
  • Develop, roll out, and monitor marketing plans, documentation, and brand profiling to increase public awareness and influence attitudes and behaviours.
• Public Relations.
  • Write and/or edit press releases, media advisories, AHF’s rapid response press statements, Foundation news stories, op-ed pieces, and other writing projects as needed.
  • Pitch Foundation-specific and general HIV/AIDS and related news stories, articles, and opinion pieces to print, online, and electronic news outlets
  • Oversee AHF press conferences and media events
  • Manage AHF’s media monitoring agencies (print press clips, web, video, and radio)
  • Oversee AHF’s PR firms and creative agency in the bureau alongside the Global Advocacy & Marketing Department.
• Coordinate with the bureau on annual budget development
• Coordinate and monitor expenditures for advocacy and marketing-related activities.

Girls Act

• Provide strategic direction and guidance in the implementation of Girls Act programs. This includes setting priorities in consultation with YWAG leadership teams and country teams.
• Support and research for internal and external resources and opportunities that champion Girls Act programs and channel these resources to Girls Act chapters across the Bureau.
• Support Girls Act chapters to create models of programming that are acceptable, appropriate, sustainable, and that address the needs of YWAGs in Africa
• Facilitate the building of partnerships, networks, coalitions, and alliances with other stakeholders in relation to YWAG’s needs and key activities.
• Manage budgets and monitor the implementation of Girls Act programs in collaboration with country teams.

Others:

• This position has supervisory responsibilities.
• Involves travel domestically and internationally as required

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

Education and Experience:

• At least 10 years of experience working in the international NGO sector, advocacy, and/or public affairs aimed at influencing policy change and advocacy.
  • Minimum of a master’s degree in Social Sciences, international relations, public health, global policy, or related training,
  • Knowledge of international health, HIV/AIDS, and development issues at the global level.
  • Ability to work autonomously, combined with experience working remotely and in support of programs in other countries.
  • Experience developing and managing efforts to influence policymakers, NGOs, and other external stakeholders.
  • Strong analytical, writing, editing, and verbal skills for communicating with broad and diverse stakeholders.
  • Demonstrate a High level of conceptual, strategic thinking, and analysis
  • Creative, energetic, and innovative approach to identifying solutions.
  • Effective as a collaborator in complex internal and external organizations.
  • Ability to work with efficiency and diplomacy.
  • Proven ability to build and cultivate strong relationships.
  • Balance competing priorities and identify when to escalate an issue or call out a risk
  • Relevant experience in policy analysis, lobbying creating policy briefs and policy summations and media work.
  • Familiarity with current HIV/AIDS practices and issues in the policy environment at national and international levels.

How to apply

To be considered for this recruitment, please:

Address your email application (Cover Letter and CV ONLY) to globalhr.africa@aidshealth.org mentioning the Position and Location clearly in the subject line.

The email should not be larger than 2 MB - any larger email will not be considered.

Deadline: Friday, 26th June 2025.