PVPSSA Ghana Advocacy Manager

Job Title : PVPSSA Ghana Advocacy Manager

Reports to Position Title: PVPSSA Project Director

Research Project: Title Promote the Vancouver Principles in Sub-Saharan Africa

Faculty/ Department: The Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security

FTE (based on 35 paid hr work week): 100%

Duration: 12 Months ( Full time)

About the Dallaire Institute:

Lt. General Romeo Dallaire founded the Child Soldiers Initiative in 2007 and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, provided a home to the Initiative in 2010.  In 2020, the Initiative became the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, an international repository of expertise, research, and advocacy to prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed violence.  The Dallaire Institute is the co-developer of the 2017 Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers. As part of Dalhousie University, the Dallaire Institute hosts a prestigious Tier 1 Canada Research Chair on International Peace, Security and Children and offers undergraduate and graduate courses. Through academic and practitioner training and community engagement, the Dallaire Institute’s interdisciplinary and applied research advances innovative strategies for preventing the recruitment and use of children in armed violence.  The Dallaire Institute is supported through private, public and international contributions.   

· To achieve this important objective, the Dallaire Institute conducts activities on four fronts: World-class, interdisciplinary research to build and share knowledge, which in turn leads to new solutions. 

· High-level advocacy activities to create and promote the political will to end the use of children in violence as central to the achievement of global peace and security. 

· Education and programming to sustain the efforts to make the recruitment and use of children as soldiers unthinkable by inspiring leaders, educators, and policy makers to implement new approaches, conduct research, and actively share their knowledge on the prioritization of the children’s rights upfront approach.   

· Comprehensive, prevention-oriented training to security sector actors, in the service of broader security sector reform, as well as collaboration with civil society to create and implement tools that protect children from the dangers associated with recruitment. 

Job purpose:

The Advocacy Manager is responsible for leading advocacy components of the Promotion of the

Vancouver Principles in Sub-Saharan Africa (PVPSSA) project. This role is carried out in

collaboration with the Africa Center of Excellence (ACoE) and Headquarters (HQ), ensuring that

all efforts align with the strategic aims and priorities set forth by the PVPSSA Project.

In this role, the Advocacy Manager will be responsible for driving the implementation and customization of advocacy initiatives to fit the local context. The position will also collaborate closely with key HQ teams to ensure that program design, strategic direction, and resource allocation for the PVPSSA project are consistent with organizational priorities and long‑term objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Advocacy and reporting

•Lead the creation and refinement of advocacy products for the PVPSSA Project, highlighting their relevance and impact on the Dallaire Institute, in coordination with the Policy and Advocacy Manager, to maintain strategic and policy alignment.

•Continuously track continental trends and contextual shifts in Africa and disseminate relevant updates and analysis to PVPSSA Project and ACoE leadership, as well as to research and advocacy teams, to ensure evidence‑informed planning and engagement.

•Collaborates with internal teams to design, coordinate and implement events and/or meetings to advance the PVPSSA project and ACoE’s advocacy goals.

•Participate in the creation of reports to the donor and HQ on the progress and impact of programming paying particular attention to the impact of policy and advocacy initiatives under the PVPSSA Project.

•Engage key actors involved in peace processes at national, regional, and international levels to promote the inclusion of children’s perspectives and gender‑responsive child‑protection provisions that prevent the recruitment and use of boys and girls.

•Support the development and formalization of new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and partnership agreements with current and newly engaged project countries, ensuring these frameworks enable effective assistance for the implementation of the Vancouver Principles.

•Support evidence-based advocacy and donor reporting by collaborating with MEAL teams to integrate programming and policy analysis into grant reports and impact narratives.

•Provides technical guidance, advice, and support to the members of the PVPSSA project or any member of the Dallaire Institute on related matters.

Additional Duties

•When relevant to its responsibility area: create and conduct the staff advocacy training needs analysis and develop a country learning plan, as well as maintain staff training records.

•Proactively participate in planning and performance processes as outlined in the Employee Handbook including annual appraisals, regular meetings, and ensuring that annual reviews are an integral component of workplans and priorities.

•Promote a safe and secure work environment in line with the organization’s core values and foster strong communication between teams within the organization.

•Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to child protection and commitment to the Protection from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse (PSHEA).

•Comply with Dallaire Institute’s financial and operational requirements and uphold high standards of honesty and integrity in personal conduct.

This job description is a general outline of responsibilities and qualifications and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. The responsibilities and duties may evolve based on the organization's needs, and additional tasks may be assigned as required.

Qualifications:

Skills

Strategic Thinking and Policy Analysis

•Ability to interpret complex policy environments and identify opportunities for influence.

•Skill in translating evidence and research into clear advocacy priorities and strategies.

•Solution-oriented, demonstrating initiative, enthusiasm, creativity and flexibility with excellent interpersonal skills and team spirit.

•Maintains high personal and professional ethical standards.

Research and Evidence Utilization

•Possess well-developed analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.

•Ability to synthesize research, data, and trends into actionable advocacy positions.

Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Building

•Strong capacity to build and maintain relationships with government officials, civil society, multilateral agencies, donors, and community actors.

•Ability to navigate political sensitivities and work effectively across different levels of influence.

Knowledge

•Post-secondary degree in a relevant field, or suitable combination of work and educational experience.

•At least 5 years’ experience working in government on policy and issues that involve multiple lenses, with demonstrated political judgement.

•Knowledge of child protection, peacekeeping, and global networks linked to the mission of the organization.

•Experience working internationally, in fragile contexts, and the ability to travel in such contexts as required.

Abilities

•Demonstrated intercultural communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse cultural, geographic, and institutional contexts

•Ability to balance competing priorities and make sound judgment calls in situations of urgency.

•Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines, including the ability to prioritize and delegate, as required.

Assets

•Knowledge and experience of GAC’s Feminist International Assistance Policies (FIAP).

•Proficiency in French, Portuguese or Spanish.

•Security Sector knowledge or experience with a proven understanding of and ability to navigate military structure, processes, and language.

Working conditions

In-Person role: The successful applicant will be required to be in our Accra office as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and Institute guidelines.

The position requires travel to a minimum 20% of the time to the project’s countries.

Supervisory/Managerial:

The position is at the Managerial level, with direct or indirect accountability to manage positions with related responsibilities in the PVPSSA Project, and a high level of influence in the deployment of its expertise area topics.