TITLE: Health Advocacy Officer
TEAM/PROGRAMME: PATHWAYS Project
LOCATION: Upper Egypt Field Office- Minya.
GRADE: 4
CONTRACT LENGTH: Fixed Term contract and the position is subject to donor approval.
CHILD SAFEGUARDING:
Level 3: the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.
ROLE PURPOSE:
The Health Advocacy Officer will lead and support the implementation of advocacy and communication strategies of the PATHWAYS project. This includes engaging adolescents, community members and structures, CBOs, and district-level stakeholders to promote adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (ASRHR). The officer will also support the development and rollout of social and behavior change communication (SBCC) activities that shift harmful norms and promote gender equality, with a strong emphasis on inclusive and adolescent-driven approaches.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Project’s Senior Community Engagement and Advocacy Officer.
Staff reporting to this post: None
Budget Responsibilities: No
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Project Implementation
- Develop and implement innovative advocacy and communication plans aligned with project goals.
- Design and implement SBCC strategies targeting adolescents, caregivers, and gatekeepers using participatory and culturally appropriate approaches.
- Create and disseminate communication materials (e.g., advocacy briefs, articles, success stories, case studies, videos).
- Provide technical inputs to the adaptation and contextualization of IEC and advocacy materials to ensure cultural relevance and adolescent appeal
- Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all project communications in alignment with SCI and MOHP guidelines and tailored to audiences.
- Identify and engage with advocacy networks, media, and political allies to advance the project’s agenda.
- Participate in and support the organization of trainings, workshops, and community events.
- Ensure that advocacy strategies are inclusive, child- and adolescent-focused, and gender-sensitive.
- Coordinate closely with the Health Officer and partners to align advocacy and communication efforts across PHC and community platforms
- Support the rollout of community-level dialogues, safe space sessions, religious leader engagement, and norm-shifting activities
Planning and Reporting
- Participate in joint planning sessions with the Health Officer and Senior Officer to ensure harmonization of field activities and messaging
- Contribute to the development of weekly, monthly, and quarterly work plans in coordination with the project team.
- Prepare and submit timely progress reports, field updates, and documentation as required by the project.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL):
- Collaborate with MEAL and technical teams to document good practices and lessons learned.
- Support the development of stories of change, case studies, and advocacy briefs.
- Contribute to quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reporting with evidence-based content.
Capacity Building and representation:
· Co-facilitate trainings for CHWs, CBOs, and youth groups on community advocacy, interpersonal communication, and safe messaging on ASRHR
· Represent Save the Children at community and district levels, including participation in local advocacy coalitions, forums, or youth platforms
- Ensure that all activities are implemented in line with SCI’s safe programming protocols.
Other Duties:
· Ensure compliance with Save the Children’s policies and procedures, including child safeguarding, gender equality, and code of conduct.
· Coordinates with local partners, media, and advocacy networks.
· Undertake any other tasks as assigned by the Senior Health Officer or Project Manager in support of the project.
BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)
Accountability:
· hold him/herself accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
· hold the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
Ambition:
· Set ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
· Widely share their personal vision for Save the Children, engage and motivate others.
· Think a head, think strategically and on a global scale.
Collaboration:
· Build and maintain effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
· Value diversity, see it as a source of competitive strength
· Be approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Creativity:
· Develop and encourage new and innovative solutions
· Be willing to take disciplined risks.
Integrity:
· Be honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity
QUALIFICATIONS
· Bachelor’s degree in public health, mass communication, media studies, communication for development, or related field.
· Minimum 3 years of experience in advocacy and communication within health or development programs, preferably on gender and/or SRHR issues
· Demonstrated experience designing or adapting IEC/SBCC tools for rural or adolescent audiences
· Experience working with youth, CHWs, religious leaders, and community gatekeepers on health or gender programming.
· Familiarity with SBCC principles and experience supporting behavior change initiatives in community settings, notably on gender and SRHR.
· Strong writing skills (blogs, articles, reports) and ability to produce high-quality multimedia content.
· Strong facilitation, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
· Proficiency in Arabic and English (written and spoken).
· Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet).
· Commitment to upholding adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights, including gender equality and youth participation.
· Commitment to Save the Children’s values and safeguarding principles.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
- Practical experience developing or adapting communication materials and strategies for behavioural change among diverse audience.
- Understanding of community dynamics and how to engage youth, families, and community & religious leaders in norm shifting conversations.
- Significant experience in training, capacity building, and mentoring.
- Ability to think strategically to solve problems and accomplish goals.
- Well-developed communication skills across cultures.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team player and independently.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and deliver results with tight deadlines.
Additional job responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.
Equal Opportunities
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.
Child Safeguarding:
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
Safeguarding our Staff:
The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy
Health and Safety
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.