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JOB VACANCY 1

Job Title: Research and Policy Analysis - Africa Economic Transformation Location: Nairobi Contract: One-year renewable Responsible To: Director JCAM Justice and Ecology Office (JEO) Working language: English (a knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an advantage) Start date: January 2022 Salary: Negotiable

JENA’S VISION

The Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network – Africa (JENA)’s strategic intent for 2022-23 is to position itself as a ‘think and do tank’ working as part of the global movement for sustainable global solutions to eradicate the injustice of poverty in Africa and to protect the planet. As we attempt to build back better in the wake of COVID-19 and in a changing context in Africa and globally, JENA plans to effectively position itself in relation to the changing and widening African development agenda. JENA will continue to engage the issues identified in the strategy as well as pay attention to emerging issues of injustice that plague Africa. The COVID-19 crisis has opened our eyes to deeper underlying injustices that create poverty and need to be attended to if we are to prepare a better future of our world that is healthier and more just.

ABOUT THE POSITION

In pursuit of this agenda, JENA is looking to add a new research and policy analyst to specialize in the Africa Structural Transformation agenda and Africa economic development policy more broadly and with specific focus on the situation of youth and women. For the last 30 years, Africa has relied on externally driven development driven by neoliberal approaches characterised by liberalisation, privatisation and wooing of foreign capital. COVID-19 has taught Africa to recognise its local wealth and the need for Africa to create local systems, local processes and exploit the vast human capital to unlock its development. Africa needs to take advantage of its comparative advantage and say no when need be. Africa has abundant land and natural resources and a young workforce that it can leverage to achieve a global competitive advantage and a great asset in driving structural and economic transformation. By 2050 Sub-Saharan Africa will have a larger and younger workforce than China or India. This transformation will come through diversifying Africa's economies, boosting its competitiveness in world markets, increasing its shares of manufacturing in GDP, and developing more sophisticated technology in production. This is crucial for the eradication of the deep poverty Africa is currently experiencing.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The research and policy analyst will help JENA meet the high demand for quantitative and qualitative insights into the African economy and the broad applications of the Africa development policy. The position offers aspiring development professionals an exceptional opportunity to elevate their stature and advance their careers in a high visibility work area. The analyst reports to JCAM Justice and Ecology Office (JEO) Director and will work alongside other research and policy analysts. The position will interface closely with JENA’s impact, Africa development policy, and teams as well. The position can be tailored to the strengths and experience of the successful candidate. The ideal candidate will combine significant quantitative experience in processing large datasets with a background in economic development theory, policy, and practice. Successful candidates should have background familiarity with and interest in the Africa Structural Transformation Agenda as well as JENA’s broader workstreams. They should understand how this economic development tool fits into the bigger picture, which for us is helping more places and the people in them forge a more prosperous future. Specific envisioned responsibilities include identifying new sources of data and insights; conducting novel analyses with that data; creating new data products and visualizations; identifying and chronicling emerging best practices; writing data and policy blogs, briefs, and reports; furthering the knowledge on Africa Structural Transformation with social justice perspectives through a variety of content channels in coordination with others at JENA and in partner organisations. In addition, success in the role requires being attuned to the broader political environment and the ability to understand and internalise complex issues like international trade, regional integration and cooperation, international tax law quickly and accurately. JENA’s analysts are deeply involved in all aspects of creating and communicating research products. Self-direction, initiative, and creativity are key to success. Candidates with well-rounded backgrounds in economic development, entrepreneurship, urban studies, and applicable economic and fiscal policy areas are encouraged to apply. Direct policy experience in local, county, or federal government is also welcome.

Objectives:

• Contribute to the overarching values, priorities, and goals of JENA to support recovery in sub-Saharan Africa • Highlight JENA’s work to promote human dignity and human rights as guided by Catholic Social Teaching and the Jesuit Universal Apostolic Preferences • Monitor and analyse sub-Saharan Africa policy developments and their impact on Africa structural transformation • Support JENA member organisations (MOs) in their advocacy work at national level and regional level • Raise African action for justice in international space for global justice • Facilitate one of JENA’s Advocacy Working Groups • Contribute to the JENA training events • Contribute to the JENA communication work • Contributes to the design, implementation and evaluation of JENA programmes and projects

Approximate Time Allocation to Key Tasks

The Research and Policy Analyst will perform the following duties (percentages are approximate):

40% Quantitative and qualitative economic and public policy research:

• Draw on a deep knowledge of Africa structural transformation and economic development theory, policy, and practice, to inform JENA’s research and policy products. • Manage, process, and analyse large datasets. Deep familiarity with the functioning of the Kenya Statistics Bureau is required and familiarity with other African Bureaus of Statistics resources is preferred. • Research state and AU policies relevant to core JENA issue areas. • Stay immersed in the public discourse and scholarly research across all relevant fields to ensure that JENA research and analysis remains on the cutting edge.

30% Research and policy writing:

• Write reports, policy memos, briefs, and handbooks for key audiences that translate data insights into actionable policy recommendations. • Independently devise and author incisive short pieces in JENA’s core issue areas. • Draft persuasive pieces such as op-eds or essays in JENA’s core issue areas. • Synthesize JENA’s research and policy insights into products tailored to different audiences.

15% Economic data visualization: • Utilize mapping and data visualization software to bring data to life. • Knowledge of new software and capabilities as needed.

15% Outreach and network management:

• Liaise directly with the relevant UNECA, AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) institutions and staff, state government officials, and local government representatives to share JENA data and insights and feed back into JENA’s key issues and concerns facing public leaders and African economic development agenda. • Present to external audiences on behalf of JENA and represent the organization at conferences and other venues. • Respond to stakeholder and media requests for data and information as needed. JENA is committed to offering its team members an unparalleled platform to learn, grow, and build their professional networks. As a high-impact, highly-networked organization, JENA offers the opportunity to shape public policy in real time—on behalf of the people and places of Africa.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in relevant field (for example economics, public policy, development studies, urban/rural studies). • At least 3-5 years prior work experience in a related field; position can be adapted for interested candidates with more experience. • Demonstrated professional expertise in JENA’s core issue areas. • Demonstrated interest in African Economic and Structural Transformation and familiarity with the law and associated policy and regulations. • Demonstrated fluency in methods of both quantitative and qualitative analysis. • Excellent oral and written communication skills. • Keen attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced work environment. • Demonstrated knack for visualizing data and information in a variety of different formats; sound design skills preferred. • Demonstrated interest in and familiarity with the policymaking process. Can be gained through prior work experience in the federal government of Kenya or in state or local government. • Entrepreneurial spirit and desire to work in a fast-paced environment. • Self-motivated, self-directed, creative, organized, and deeply committed to personal and organizational excellence. • Commitment to overall JCAM’s and JENA’s objectives • Be familiar with the JCAM and JENA’s objectives and align work to achieving them. • Implement other JCAM/JEO/JENA strategic objectives pertaining to communication, gender, and child protection.

Essential • Willingness to commit to JCAM Safeguarding Policy (available on JCAM website) and undergo a police background check. Desirable • A close knowledge of the structures of the Catholic Church

How to apply Application letters, Curriculum Vitae (CV), photocopies of Academic Certificates, National Identity Cards or Passports, and a short sample writing (maximum 1,000 words on a related topic. See: https://www.jenaafrica.org/) should be mailed or emailed to the Executive Assistant to the President (socius@jesuits.africa) on or before Thursday, 30 December 2021, at noon. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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JOB VACANCY 2:

Job Title: Research and Policy Analyst - Social Investments for Recovery Location: Nairobi Contract: One-year renewable Responsible To: Director JCAM Justice and Ecology Office (JEO) Working language: English (a knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an advantage) Start date: January 2022 Salary: Negotiable

JENA’S WORK IN SUPPORT OF RECOVERY

In its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, JENA is focusing on supporting recovery, restoration and building back better. JENA will support countries in their effort to convert COVID-19 losses into social investments that protect the future. In this regard, JENA’s work of advocacy will involve calling for the maintenance of critical government services and for effective social service delivery, particularly in health and nutrition, education, social protection, water, and sanitation. Social investment is about investing in people to allow them to participate fully in all aspects of life. It is shifting our mindset to one of prevention and building a prosperous future rather than only focusing on cure. A happier, healthier, and more productive population will have a positive impact on our society, economy, resilience, and individual and collective well-being. Creating a healthy, educated and socially protected population, society and labour provides greater opportunity for everyone including young and older people, migrants, and vulnerable groups to contribute to the wellbeing of society. Such a socially protected and capable population not only makes our society more inclusive but also moves to address Africa’s growing challenge of demographic change toward a population that is predominantly very young. This will break the intergenerational poverty cycle and will result in lower expenditure in response to poor health outcomes, higher crime rates and increasing need for social protection. Therefore, advocating for the maintenance of efficient government social services including advocating for equity in access to health and education and other social services will be an important component of JENA’s advocacy work with a focus on reaching vulnerable groups like women, refugees, the disabled, children, especially girls, etc as guided by the second Jesuit Universal Apostolic Preference (UAP). JENA understands that all this is good economics but even more importantly, for JENA, this is an ethical imperative and a human rights issue.

JOB DESCRIPTION

With a view to further advance its advocacy work to support recovery and to help sub-Saharan African countries and communities imagine a better future in the wake of COVID-19, the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network-Africa (JENA) is looking for a research and policy analyst – Social Investment for Recovery, with a particular focus on health, education and social protection public policy and financing. The research and policy analyst will be responsible for providing rigorous policy analysis and effective policy suggestions for the development of sound public health, education, social protection, and related public social sector programmes to support post-COVID-19 recovery in sub-Saharan Africa.

OBJECTIVES:

• Contribute to the overarching values, priorities, and goals of JENA to support recovery in subSaharan Africa • Highlight JENA’s work to promote human dignity and human rights as guided by Catholic Social Teaching and the Jesuit Universal Apostolic Preferences • Monitor and analyse sub-Saharan Africa policy developments and their impact on people’s access to social services especially education and health in the wake of COVID-19 • Support JENA member organisations (MOs) in their advocacy work at national level • Raise African action for justice in international space for global justice • Facilitate one of JENA’s Advocacy Working Groups • Contribute to the JENA training events • Contribute to the JENA communication work • Contributes to the design, implementation and evaluation of JENA programmes and projects

TASKS:

Research

• Undertake research and analysis on Africa’s post-COVID-19 recovery process with a focus on social investment in health, education, and social protection. • Apply the latest procedures, standards and trends like cost benefit analysis, public social sector program evaluation, etc., for the development of a robust social sector plan for African countries • Together with country Jesuit Social Research Centres, assess and analyse national budgetary allocations for the social programs both in terms of amounts and the quality of spending • Prepare reports, graphs, briefs, presentations, and other modules for reference • Design social sector metrics and data for analysis • Policy Analysis: • Monitor global, AU, regional and country policy developments and assess their impact on population social outcomes • Assess the impact of the COVID-19 health and economic crisis on people, on poverty eradication, public social investment programmes • Support JENA member organisations in their advocacy work at national level. • Inform and brief the member organisations of global, AU and regional policy developments. • Participate in the creation and implementation of the JENA work plans. • Prepare well-informed advocacy on health and education and other social policy issues, mainly by collecting input from member organisations and in consistency with Catholic Social Teaching.

Advocacy:

• Design and implement result-oriented advocacy strategies for the different working lines on public social investment with a focus health, education and social protection • Prepare and/or ensure representation of JENA at relevant public events and meetings • Carry out efficient internal and external communication on social investment and social policy issues in cooperation with the Communication Unit • Prepare policy briefings for and with JENA member organisations • Public campaigning: • Contribute to the concept development, elaboration and implementation of Africa-wide and global JENA public campaigns • Capacity building: • Prepare and participate in capacity-building events for JENA MOs in the field of advocacy • Essential Skills • The candidate must possess good knowledge of the functioning of the public social sector and budget analysis

Research And Policy Analysis Skills

• Strong quantitative analysis skills, especially statistical and/or econometric analysis • Knowledge of computer applications and programming skills with SAS, SQL and STATA and other relevant econometric analysis software • Excellent written and verbal communication • Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills • Attention to detail and problem-solving skills

Educational Qualification

• An entry level candidate must be in possession of at least a master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Development Studies, or any related social science. • Commitment to overall JCAM’s and JENA’s objectives • Be familiar with the JCAM and JENA’s objectives and align work to achieving them. • Implement other JCAM/JEO/JENA strategic objectives pertaining to communication, gender and child protection.

Essential

• Willingness to commit to JCAM Safeguarding Policy (available on JCAM website) and undergo a police background check. Desirable • A close knowledge of the structures of the Catholic Church

How to apply

Application letters, Curriculum Vitae (CV), photocopies of Academic Certificates, National Identity Cards or Passports, and a short sample writing (maximum 1,000 words on a related topic. See: https://www.jenaafrica.org/) should be mailed or emailed to the Executive Assistant to the President (socius@jesuits.africa) on or before Thursday, 30 December 2021, at noon. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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JOB VACANCY 3:

Job Title: Advocacy and Strategic Communications Specialist Location: Nairobi Contract: One-year renewable Responsible To: Director JCAM Justice and Ecology Office (JEO) Working language: English (a knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an advantage) Start date: January 2022 Salary: Negotiable

About JENA

The Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network of Africa (JENA) is a diverse community of faith-inspired Jesuit NGOs, also known as Social Centres, related Jesuit Institutions, individual Jesuit peace and development activists and scholars driven by a vision of a just, poverty-free, peaceful and ecologically regenerative Africa. JENA operates under the aegis of the Justice and Ecology Office (JEO) of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM). Working collaboratively with communities whose voices and life-ways have been marginalised and who may experience an intersection of multiple forms of injustice, our member organisations are dedicated to fighting poverty and related injustices around Africa empowering marginalised voices, communities and groups, and facilitating policy innovation. Member organisations of the Network work together internationally to achieve a greater impact through collective efforts. In all JENA’s actions, the ultimate goal is to enable people to unlock their potential, exercise their rights and manage their own lives.

Background

JENA has a secretariat in the JCAM JEO in Nairobi. The secretariat works with 22 affiliate and close to 30 partner Jesuit organisations in 22 countries. It is a continental network representing Jesuit organisations in various countries in Africa, undertaking grassroots programming and local, regional and international advocacy work. This role will support the growth, influence and advocacy capacity of the JENA as a network and of Affiliates of JENA. About JENA International Advocacy and Communications. The JCAM JEO running the JENA Secretariat in Nairobi will lead on international communications, campaigns, fundraising communications, network development, advocacy, digital and media to deliver JENA vision and mission by:

• Delivering a smart advocacy agenda that increases profile and understanding of the sustainable development issues in Africa that JENA champions. • Leading on and coordinating regional and global campaigns that inspire action on poverty and the protection of the planet • Leading effective external communication and brand awareness, by building organisational and network capacities in communication • Supporting the growth of a strong regional and global network of Jesuit organisations working for the eradication of poverty and the protection of the planet. • Through our various campaigns, our Post-2015 and other programmes, we will support local populations and their organisations to have their say in global and national decision-making processes.

Job Description

The JENA Advocacy and Strategic Communications Specialist will be responsible for implementing advocacy and communications activities that contribute to business development and support ongoing JENA programs. Under the guidance of the JEO Director, the JENA Advocacy and Communication Specialist will work with the JENA Secretariat Team, JENA members, and JEO counterparts in the various Jesuit Conferences to promote and increase JENA leadership in and contributions to the social justice movement in Africa and world over.

Responsibilities

Advocacy

• Assist in development of strategies to promote JENA leadership and contribution to the promotion and of justice and poverty eradication in Africa: • Oversee the development and implementation of the JENA strategic communication and advocacy strategy; • Conduct interviews with key stakeholders for mapping and landscape analyses related to key social justice and ecology issues, drafting reports and key findings; • Present JENA’s experience, tools and reports to external stakeholders and partners, and representing JENA at selected meetings, taskforces, panels and workshops; • Participate in organizing and facilitating meetings and trainings with partner INGOs and NGOs, government representatives, grassroots advocates, and community members to develop coordinated advocacy strategies and consensus messages; • Contributing to the preparation of advocacy and informational materials and tools on major social justice issues identified by JENA; • Writing, reviewing and editing training and other programmatic tools as well as activity reports.

Strategic Communication

• Define and implement communication activities aiming at profiling and positioning JENA for programmatic opportunities and placement in the social justice and development community in Africa: • Work with the JENA Secretariat to manage the JENA brand in Africa and internationally and develop communication products to promote JENA visibility; • Maintain the JENA data base and ensure the information on the JENA external and internal websites is continuously maintained. • Support the JENA Director to promote synergistic operations of JENA and implement the JENA Strategic Roadmap; • Provide day-to-day management and coordination of JENA communication activities; • Communicate and advocate for JENA capabilities within the donor community and public at large; • Provide talking points and key messages to the JENA Director and JENA Secretariat Staff for key JENA visibility events and meetings. Prepare pitch notes, support preparation of speeches and presentations including preparing appropriate video clips and photographs; • Provide talking points and key messages to the JENA Director in times of crisis. • Work with the JENA Director to develop and execute the JENA strategy and annual plans which support and link to the Society of Jesus global priorities; • Understand various project objectives and activities and develop communications strategies that roll-up into an overall communications strategy for the JENA Secretariat office, working closely with the JENA Director and secretariat staff; • Increase the profile and disseminate JENA’s work and messages through planning and implementation of all country communication activities, including writing and managing the production and dissemination of fact sheets, success stories, publications, press releases, press briefings, articles, letters to the editor, blogs, and formal reports etc; • Spearhead articles/news items for media and magazines;

Capacity Building to JENA members and stakeholders on Communication Strategies: • Provide capacity building to JENA members and stakeholders on communications strategies and media relations and work to improve the quality of communication products developed; • Support consultants and companies engaged for outsourced products; • Perform other relevant duties as assigned • Person specification

Education / Qualifications and knowledge

MA Degree in relevant subject area (preferably international development, communications, economics or relevant social science) or equivalent work experience.

Experience

• 5 to 10 years’ experience • Experience of supporting a membership-based network, engaging organisations and individuals to work collaboratively. • Experience of delivering engaging and creative internal communications strategies and approaches. • Experience of working with people at a distance using a range of communications platforms. • Experience of project management. • Experience of intranet management. • Experience of working in a multicultural setting.

Skills and abilities

• Excellent interpersonal, presentation (oral and written) skills and attention to detail. • Research, writing and editing skills. • Proven relationship building skills and ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with a wide variety of colleagues in other departments, Regional Development Centres and Country Offices. • Proven ability to multi-task, be flexible and meet deadlines. • Problem solving skills, with a focus on finding effective solutions. • Commitment to team working. • Good IT skills including all Microsoft Office applications. • Ability to work on own initiative and be proactive. • Willingness and capacity to travel.

Essential

Willingness to commit to JCAM Safeguarding Policy (available on JCAM website) and undergo a police background check.

Desirable

• A close knowledge of the structures of the Catholic Church • Knowledge of social media. • Interest in the international development sector. • Experience of online training.

How to apply

Application letters, Curriculum Vitae (CV), photocopies of Academic Certificates, National Identity Cards or Passports, and a short sample writing (maximum 1,000 words on a related topic. See: https://www.jenaafrica.org/) should be mailed or emailed to the Executive Assistant to the President (socius@jesuits.africa) on or before Thursday, 30 December 2021, at noon. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.