Options Consultancy Services Limited is a leading global health consultancy established in 1992 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Marie Stopes International. We manage health programmes that ensure vulnerable women and children can access the high quality health services they need. We work with partners to co-create and implement locally informed solutions to complex health problems. This includes governments, development partners, NGOs, civil society and health workers. Our programming is flexible, evidence-based and politically informed. This means we adapt to changing contexts, use data to inform our decisions and ensure our approach is appropriate. Our focus is always on building local skills and systems that last.

Options Consultancy Services seeks an External Engagement and Influencing Manager to lead and manage the external engagement strategy for the anticipated What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls: Impact at Scale (What Works II) programme.

Responsibilities: 

Options is preparing to bid for the What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls: Impact at Scale (What Works II) programme. The first phase was a flagship initiative for DFID, with a major investment in research & impact evaluation to establish ‘what works’ to prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG), bringing together world-leading researchers. Phase I included 15 prevention interventions and impact evaluations in 12 countries. What Works II is a 7-year programme that will systematically design, implement and rigorously evaluate the scale-up of violence prevention efforts.

The External Engagement and Influencing Manager will lead and manage the external engagement strategy for the programme. They will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the advocacy, communications and policy influencing strategies, driving use of evidence to influence more effective, scaled up VAWG prevention efforts – nationally and globally

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• Postgraduate degree in relevant subject area, such as international development, gender studies or social anthropology
• Proven experience of working in collaboration with non-governmental organisations including NGOs, CBOs and WROs in the Global South
• Proven experience in the management of teams, including managing a virtual team
• Experience in developing and maintaining successful relationships with a diverse range of organisations, partners and stakeholders
• Track record of representing an organisation or programme externally, through panel discussions, conferences, and meetings with high level stakeholders
• An excellent communicator with an ability to influence at a senior level

• Options is an equal opportunities employer.
• Overseas candidates require a valid UK work permit.
• Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and post holders to share this commitment.
• We seek people who are pro-choice, energetic and enthusiastic about Options’ vision.
• Overseas candidates require a valid UK work permit