Advocacy Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Advocacy Manager

Level: L-08

Duty Station: Kathmandu, Nepal

Reports To: Executive Director

Employment Type: Full-Time

KOSHISH, established in 2008, is a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting mental health and psychosocial well-being in Nepal. Embracing the spirit of "NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US," KOSHISH advocates for the inclusion and meaningful participation of individuals with mental health problems and psychosocial disabilities. KOSHISH actively engages in holistic mental health programs, awareness campaigns, and advocacy efforts. Our overarching goal is to mainstream mental health within the broader health system and societal domains, such as social protection, education, inclusion, and employment.

Job Summary

The Advocacy Manager is a senior position responsible for leading and managing the organization's advocacy and awareness programs, including the planning and strategic implementation of multispectral activities especially mental health, suicide prevention, disability inclusion This role is critical for setting the organization's advocacy agenda, generating evidence, supervising the advocacy team and coordination with all the existing projects, and ensuring effective coordination with all stakeholders, reporting directly to the Executive Director

This position will be also direct implementation of two following projects - 1. Main streamlining of mental health through self-Advocacy- Phase IV and 2. Strengthen inclusion for women and girls at risk of institutionalization, which may be replicated by the Government and other stakeholders. –(Inclusion). In addition, he will be obligating to lead and contribute advocacy to parts of all the existing projects in entire projects. She/He will contributing in Fundraising by contributing technical input to proposals, aligning advocacy priorities with donor interests, identify new funding opportunities to sustain and expand program impact.

Key Result Areas and Responsibilities

A. Strategic Advocacy and Policy Leadership

1. Lead the review of the draft Advocacy Strategy, finalize it, and ensure its implementation across the entire KOSHISH organization.
2. Develop advocacy tools and techniques and execute them in collaboration with the project team.
3. Lead the organization and facilitation of lobby and advocacy events, as well as delegations, at various levels of   government.
4. Integrate the annual advocacy action plan with all existing projects at KOSHISH. Identify and address gaps in Nepal’s legal and policy frameworks related to mental health and psychosocial disability, in line with regional and international human rights standards.
5. Lead policy engagement to ensure the strategic integration of awareness, advocacy, and program interventions across organizational initiatives.
6. Follow up with government authorities and other stakeholders within and beyond the government

B. Projects  and Programmes  Management

1. Review the projects document, log frame, and theory of change to ensure effective implementation of project activities and delivery of results with specific focus on Mainstreaming and Inclusion Project.
2. Develop the detailed implementation plan and periodic implementation plans (monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, and annual) in coordination with the project team and the MEAL team.
3. Work closely with the Finance Team to align program and financial aspects of project planning and budgeting, ensuring the project delivers value for money and cost-effectiveness.
4. Contribute to developing a sustainable plan for the existing project with the Executive Director and program team.
5. Provide timely updates about project progress to the supervisor and funding partner.

C. Evidence Generation and Review

1. Conduct in-depth document reviews including, but not limited to, UNCRPD, Public Health Service Act, National Mental Health Strategy, Nepal Health Sector Strategy Plan 2023-2030, and other related laws, regulations, policies, and other international treaties on mental health and suicide prevention.
2. Generate evidence for advocacy and facilitate research in the sector of mental health and suicide prevention, using the generated evidence for advocacy.
3. Develop evidence-based policy intervention in the community while working with OPDs and people with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities.
4. Carry out field visits in the existing target area of KOSHISH and collect evidence that reflects content and local context.

D. Team and HR Management

1. Supervise the projects team and ensure optimum team performance.
2. Provide real-time feedback, support, coaching, and mentoring to staff.
3. Facilitate performance management, JD updates, leave plan, monthly plan, timesheet, and field visit management.
4. Promote team building and self-care of project team members.
5. Promote a culture of learning and support to identify professional development opportunities or capacity building of the team members.
6. Ensure monthly review of the project team and share updates with the supervisor.

E. Stakeholder Relations and Representation

1. Represent KOSHISH in various platforms and present its work effectively to stakeholders within the government and non-government units.
2. Develop strategic partnerships with national and international partners and strengthen avenues for collaboration.
3. Build and maintain collaboration/partnerships with stakeholders (duty bearers and right holders) at the Federal, Provincial, and Local Level.
4. Work closely with the project team to integrate local level grass-roots experience with the national level to contribute to policy change.
5. Build and maintain collaboration and coordination within the Advocacy program as well as with other units in the organization.
6. Coordinate monitoring/support visits from the central level and funding partners.
7. Sensitize stakeholders on mental health and well-being among communities as well as different levels of government stakeholders.
8. Work on de-stigmatization and sensitization through media mobilization.

F. MEAL and Documentation

1. Foster a culture of learning and accountability through inclusive monitoring, evaluation, feedback, and learning practices in the project.
2. Prepare and submit project periodic reports to funding partners (Monthly, Quarterly, Half-yearly, and Annual) together with the project team.
3. Develop and maintain a comprehensive project database along with means of verification.
4. Develop advocacy letters on pertinent issues relating to mental health and psychosocial disability.
5. Develop manuals and guidelines required for implementation of the project.
6. Support in capturing learning from the field and documentation of good practices.
7. Support to develop Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials

G. Compliance and Security

1. Ensure implementation of organizational policies including Admin/Finance Policy, Anti-corruption policy, Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) and safeguarding policies.
2. Ensure all children and adults reached by the project are safeguarded to the greatest extent possible. Ensure compliance with all aspects of the organizational PSEAH policies and associated standards and procedures.
3. Ensure safety and security during project implementation of the project staff. Analyze/identify potential risks and handle any issues that arise.
4. Ensure mutual co-operation and coordination with other members of KOSHISH.
5. Any other task assigned by the organization based on the relevant experience and requirements.

H. Fundraising & Resource Management

1. Actively participate to plan and execute program-related fundraising campaigns, events, or donor engagement activities with the development/fundraising team (or leadership)
2. Explore and integrate fundraising considerations into program planning, including developing impact narratives, outcome metrics, and sustainability plans to strengthen funding proposals.
3. Support grant writing processes; prepare compelling proposals, budgets, and reports to secure and maintain funding from foundations, government agencies, and other sources.
4. Actively support Program development and fundraising in the evolving critical situation for the financial sustainability of KOSHISH.

Technical Competencies

• Strategic advocacy, policy analysis, and influencing skills.
• Strong knowledge of mental health, psychosocial disability, disability inclusion, and human rights frameworks (including UNCRPD).
• Project planning, implementation, budgeting, monitoring, and donor reporting.
• Evidence generation, research, policy review, and advocacy documentation.
• Stakeholder engagement, partnership development, networking, and fundraising/proposal development.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinking and organizational planning.
• Team leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Decision-making, problem-solving, and risk management.
• Cross-functional collaboration and relationship management.
• Representation, negotiation, and influencing at national and sub-national levels.

Personal Attributes

• Strong commitment to KOSHISH's values, safeguarding, and inclusion.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Adaptability, resilience, and ability to work under pressure.
• Proactive, innovative, and results-oriented with a continuous learning mindset.

Applying Procedure:

Interested candidates are requested to fill the application form- CLICK HERE

We will be reviewing the applications on a Rolling Basis, however the last date to submit your application is 22nd July  2026.

Note:

Eligible candidates with disabilities, women and from the local area are encouraged to apply. We are committed to ensuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of all individuals and maintains zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, or any other form of harm. All shortlisted candidates will be required to comply with KOSHISH’s Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct and will undergo appropriate safeguarding checks KOSHISH reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications without assigning any reason.