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GEGA Advocacy Coordinator

GEGA is looking for a dynamic and energetic person who can manage and facilitate the communications and advocacy activities of the organisation.

The Global Equity Gauge Alliance (GEGA) focuses on fairness in health and access to health care. GEGA's 12 country-based Equity Gauge projects, located in South America, Africa, and Asia, monitor and highlight inequalities and injustices in the distribution of health and health care resources. Our goal is to ensure that countries and communities recognize the obligation to address health inequalities and inequities as an issue of social justice, and to help them use this information to make a difference for those with the poorest health and the greatest need. GEGA envisions health equity work not as simply health development projects, but as part of a larger social movement coordinated at national and international levels, and involving multiple sectors and stakeholders. More information on GEGA can be found at www.gega.org.za.

This post would be based in Durban, South Africa, and remuneration would be based on competitive, local salaries. The initial contract would be for two years.

Job Description
In addition to managing and facilitating the communications and advocacy activities of the organisation, the Advocacy Coordinator will help other health equity stakeholders to coordinate activities, advocate effectively, and influence policy at various levels. You will enjoy networking with a wide range of organisations, be confident in dealing with the people at all levels, and be highly organised and self-motivated.

A good understanding of health equity and health systems issues, a commitment to community empowerment and to improving health systems, and experience in developing and managing international campaigns involving issues of health and social justice would be the ideal background for this exciting and challenging post.

The primary goal of the position is to expand 1) advocacy for the health equity agenda, 2) public support for equity, and 3) the political leverage of other stakeholders to promote equity issues.

Main tasks will include:

1. Developing an advocacy strategy for GEGA
2. Coordinating and communicating with other human development and social justice networks, coalitions, and organisations
3. Supporting uptake of health equity issues by other social sectors and civil society groups
4. Supporting regional networks through the Gauges
5. Promoting the work of GEGA at the national and international levels

1. Developing an advocacy strategy for GEGA

  • Researching the activities of other equity-oriented organizations and action groups
  • Identifying strategic partners for equity work
  • Identifying issues through which the Gauges could add value to other groups' development initiatives and social justice actions

2. Coordinating and communicating with other development and social justice networks, and with key decision-makers

  • Developing/coordinating with lobbying initiatives, such as international and national petitions and other calls to action, to promote more effective policymaking at the national, regional, international, and global levels
  • Supporting the integration of Gauge activities into other groups' work
  • Facilitating communication between Gauges and other groups

3. Supporting integration of equity analyses and concerns into the work of broad human development and social justice coalitions

  • Identify and analyse opportunities for health equity issues to support advocacy arguments and campaigns in other social sectors
  • Support adoption of 'health equity' language, agendas, approaches, and activities among stakeholders and educational institutions working with related social sectors (e.g. housing, minimum wage, education, social justice, human rights, welfare, civil rights, etc.).

4. Supporting regional networks for health equity

  • Support the development of regional networks for health equity in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, using the Gauges as nodes for those networks
  • Continually bring new partners into regional networks and coordinate with them to build capacity for health equity analysis and advocacy

5. Promoting the work of GEGA at the national and international levels

  • Preparing, editing, and overseeing publication of reports, documents, and other materials
  • Disseminating information on the Gauges' and GEGA's work
  • Responding to requests for information

Qualifications
The ideal candidate should have an appropriate University degree or equivalent with a background in public health or public policy, as well as 3 years experience working with civil society networks at the international level, preferably in developing and implementing advocacy strategies.

Competencies

  • strong writing, communication, and organizational skills
  • strong research skills
  • the ability to work independently as well as part of a team
  • experience in developing advocacy strategies and tapping into international networks

Personal attributes

  • a commitment to equity and social justice
  • respect for cultural diversity
  • ability to work well with people and pro-actively seek solutions

Remuneration
A salary package commensurate with experience and qualifications and in line with HST's Job grading will be offered to the successful candidate.

This is a 2-year contract position, and will be extended depending on the incumbent's performance and GEGA's need for the position.

The post will be based in Durban, South Africa. The incumbent should be prepared to spend up to 25% of the time travelling internationally.

Applications/Enquiries
A letter of motivation together with a detailed CV with names and contact details of at least two references should be sent to:

Dawn McDonald
Durban Head Office
PO Box 808, Durban- 4000.
Fax: 031-3040775 e-mail: dawn@hst.org.za

Closing date for applications: 28 February 2003
THE HEALTH SYSTEMS TRUST SUPPORTS EMPLOYMENT EQUITY