Advocacy Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB POSITION: Manager 

FUNCTIONAL POSITION: Advocacy Manager

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

EFFECTIVE FROM-TO: 01/01/2026 to 30/12/2026

JOB LOCATION: Kathmandu

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 multisectoral activities (especially mental health, suicide prevention, and disability inclusion). This role is critical for setting the organization's advocacy agenda, generating evidence, supervising the advocacy team, and ensuring effective coordination with all stakeholders, reporting directly to the Executive Director.

Key Result Areas and Responsibilities

A. Strategic Advocacy and Policy Leadership

• Lead the Advocacy program and assess organizational needs on effective advocacy.
• Implement advocacy strategies, tools, and organizational engagement plans in collaboration with the project team.
• Lead the organization and facilitation of lobby and advocacy events as well as delegations at different levels of government.
• 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.
• Lead policy engagement to ensure strategic integration of awareness, advocacy, and program interventions across organizational initiatives.
• Follow up with government authorities and concerned stakeholders within and beyond the government system (including OPDs, CBOs and NGOs).
• Review and analyze government advocacy budgets and support advocacy components of other projects through close coordination with relevant team leads.

B. Project and Program Management

• Review the projects document, log frame, and theory of change to ensure effective implementation of project activities and delivery of results.
• 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.
• 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.
• Contribute to developing a sustainable plan for the existing project with the Executive Director and program team.
• Provide timely updates about project progress to the supervisor and funding partner.

C. Evidence Generation and Review

• 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.
• Generate evidence for advocacy and facilitate in carrying out research in the sector of mental health and suicide prevention, using the generated evidence for advocacy.
• Develop evidence-based policy intervention in the community while working with OPDs and people with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities.
• 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

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

E. Stakeholder Relations and Representation

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

F. MEAL and Documentation

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

G. Compliance and Security

• 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.
• 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.
• Ensure safety and security during project implementation of the project staffs. Analyze/identify potential risks and handle any issues that arise.
• Ensure mutual co-operation and coordination with other members of KOSHISH.
• Any other task assigned by the organization based on the relevant experience and requirements.

Qualification and Experience:

• Master's Degree (or equivalent advanced qualification) in a relevant field such as: Law, Human Rights, Public Policy, Psychology, International Relations or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in advocacy, policy, campaigning, policy influence, or project management, including at least 3 years in a managerial or senior leadership role. 
• Strong experience in the disability rights, public policy, governance or human rights sector; particularly in relation to national and international legal frameworks is highly preferred.
• Proven experience in team supervision, performance management, and capacity building of project staff.
• Proven experience in partnership management and multi-stakeholder coordination at different levels (Federal, Provincial, Local, and with NGOs/Donors).
• Strong leadership, interpersonal communication, analytical, and donor reporting skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and oversee a high-performing Advocacy Unit.
• Ability to work with media, digital advocacy tools, multi-stakeholder coordination, and represent the organization at high-level forums.
• Proven ability to conduct in-depth policy analysis and generate evidence for strategic advocacy.
• Excellent command of both Nepali and English, both written and verbal, for effective policy drafting and external representation.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and experience with project management/MEAL systems.

Salary: Negotiable as per competence and experience

Applying Procedure:

• Interested candidates are requested to fill the application form- Apply Here
• We will be reviewing the applications on a Rolling Basis, however the last date to submit your application is 20th January 2026.

Note

1. Eligible candidates with disabilities, women and from the local area are encouraged to apply.
2. 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
3. KOSHISH reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications without assigning any reason.