Advocacy, Resource Mobilization, and Communications Officer

Reports to Chief Executive Officer Duty Station Jinja (with field engagement as required)

1. Role Purpose The Advocacy and Communications Officer will lead COTEA’s advocacy work and use strategic communication to support influence with government, donors, and sector actors. The role exists to ensure that evidence from COTEA’s programmes (Child Protection, Early Childhood Education, Livelihood) leads to changes in policy, funding, and practice. Advocacy is the primary function of this role. Communication is a support function, not the main task.
2. Key Focus of the Role ● Primary focus (about 60%): Advocacy and influence ● Secondary focus (about 40%): Strategic communication for advocacy
3. Key Responsibilities Advocacy Strategy & Coordination ● Lead implementation of COTEA’s organisational advocacy framework ● Identify advocacy priorities, opportunities, and policy windows ● Coordinate advocacy inputs from different projects and locations ● Support senior management in high-level advocacy engagements Government, Donor & Sector Engagement ● Engage local and national government actors on CP, ECE, and other key areas in accordance with COTEA's work implementation framework. ● Represent COTEA in policy, coordination, and technical forums ● Support donor engagement with clear advocacy evidence ● Position COTEA as a credible technical voice in community-led models ● Build and maintain advocacy partnerships and networks Evidence & Advocacy Products ● Work with programme teams to gather advocacy-ready evidence ● Develop simple advocacy products such as Policy briefs, Position papers, learning briefs, and key talking points. ● Ensure community voices are used ethically and safely ● Link field evidence to national and sector priorities Strategic Communications ● Translate advocacy priorities into clear messages and stories ● Support production of Case studies, Human-interest stories, and simple external updates ● Work with programme teams to collect stories, photos, and quotes ● Ensure all communication supports advocacy goals ● Maintain message consistency across programmes Note: The communication role supports mainly the advocacy strategy, not high-volume posting. Visibility, Learning & Accountability ● Document advocacy outcomes, wins, and lessons ● Track advocacy progress and report to management ● Ensure all advocacy and communication follows safeguarding standards ● Support organisational learning on advocacy and influence Required Skills & Experience Essential Strong written and spoken communication skills Experience engaging government, donors, or sector actors Ability to explain complex issues in simple language Strong ethical judgement and safeguarding awareness Desirable Experience in advocacy, policy, or external engagement Experience working with NGOs or community-based programmes Understanding of ECE or Child Protection systems in Uganda Key Personal Qualities Strategic thinker, Confident but respectful communicator, Patient and persistent, V