Back Head of Policy, External Relations and Health Financing

Marie Stopes Kenya (MSK) has been operational in Kenya for 35 years. It is the largest provider of family planning services and offers life-saving and life-enhancing services to men and women of all ages through a range or sexual and reproductive health service through its own clinic outlets, a network of franchise outlets and the marketing of RH commodities. In addition, MSK has an MCH 24 bed nursing home in Nairobi.

MSK seeks to recruit the Head of Policy, External Relations and Health Financing. The successful candidate will be tasked with developing, managing and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders that are critical to MSK, particularly with respect to its mission, goals and objectives. Furthermore with ensuring MSK’s future as a part social business is secured through Domestic Financing opportunities.

The Head of Policy, External Relations and Health Financing will work collaboratively with other CMT members at a strategic level to achieve MSK’s objectives.
Marie Stopes Kenya (MSK) is a marketing focused, results oriented social enterprise. We develop efficient, effective and sustainable family planning and reproductive healthcare programmes in Kenya.

Key Responsibilities Measure

1. External relations and Advocacy In Coordination with the External Relations Advisor:

 Influence and increase knowledge of/and support for MSK among stakeholders, including the relevant government ministries including the Ministry of Health, parliamentarians, the media? county and national governments, multi and bi-lateral development partners and other actors in the following aspects;
a. Represent MSK at regular fora and at high level meetings both national and regionally
b. Identify trends and opportunities to inform advocacy to increase the environment for the delivery of family planing, safe abortion and post abortion care services in Kenya
c. Increase MSK visibility and increase awareness of MSK vision and mission
d. Work with civil society, government and private sector partners to drive advocacy priorities of operational importance to the organization
e. Manage MSK’s central relationships with development partners and the Ministry of Health
and other relevant government ministries and parliamentarians
f. Oversee the identification and mapping of MSK high level supporters

g. Oversee institutionalisation of External affairs functions such as stakeholder mapping, internal working group, decision maker profiles and key issue messaging in MSK to Identify and engage with emerging advocacy opportunities build support for key advocacy issues amongst key advocacy partners  To revise, update and implement MSK's advocacy strategy, and disseminate to key players in MSK and MSI.
 Advise and support on the communications strategy for MSK
 To represent MSK as a high level public spokesperson
 Identify and build strategic relationships with key media and public opinion leaders

2. Health Financing
 In coordination with the health financing officer, research and map domestic financing trends and opportunities from private sector, county and national government,donors, health insurance and innovative financing.
 Develop and oversee implementation of MSK health financing strategy.
 Identify, build and maintain strategic relationships with all the relevant health insurance, donors, innovators as well as securing opportunities for all MSK channels for Domestic Financing
 Explore and cultivate other domestic financing opportunities, either local government or private sector.

3. Fund raising  Identify, build and maintain relationships at a strategic level with multilateral, bilateral and private donors
 Work with members of the country management team to identify opportunities and funding needs
 Author concept notes and proposals with input from multiple sources
 Create budgets with support from the MSK finance team
 Develop donor relationships, including securing donor meetings, organizing visits and following up on funding opportunities
 Respond to donor requests

Skills and Experience

Qualifications:
 Minimum of a University Degree in Health Science, Social Science, or International Development Management; Master’s Degree is preferable

 Fluent English both oral and written.
 Knowledge of Clinical Health, Community Outreach, Family Planning and Social Marketing

Experience:
 Have a firm track record of navigating government bureaucracy and aiding advocacy efforts for SRHR movement
 Have significant experience of high level representation and strong presentation skills
 Experience in planning of advocacy campaigns and events
 Have existing relationships and connections within the Kenyan health sector at a high level

Skills and Abilities:
 Able to develop and articulate a clear strategic vision
 Negotiation, influencing and conflict management skills
 Able to articulate complicated concepts to a variety of audiences, including potentially contentious issues
 Able to work independently and juggle multiple, pressing priorities
 Proven ability to ‘sell’ ideas, concepts
 IT literate
 Ability to be sensitive, diplomatic and engaging
 Ability to beat deadlines and maintain their sense of humour under pressure
 able to travel within Kenya regularly and internationally occasionally