The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is a leading research-to-policy institution in Africa, renowned for its commitment to generating evidence that drives policy and action on health and development issues across the continent. As a hub of research excellence, APHRC focuses on strengthening research capacity, fostering African leadership, and promoting evidence-informed decision-making to address critical public health challenges.
In line with its mission, APHRC is expanding its team and is pleased to announce an open position for a Legal and Policy Analyst within the Chronic Diseases Management Unit under the Health and Wellbeing Theme. This is a pivotal role focused on shaping regulatory frameworks and strengthening policies aimed at curbing the increasing burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases (DR-NCDs) in Eastern Africa.
About the Role: Legal and Policy Analyst
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Department: Health and Wellbeing Theme – Chronic Diseases Management Unit
Application Deadline: April 11, 2025
Background and Context
Eastern Africa is grappling with a growing public health threat—diet-related non-communicable diseases (DR-NCDs), such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular illnesses. These conditions are largely driven by poor dietary choices, fueled by weak food regulations, widespread marketing of unhealthy products, and limited consumer awareness. In Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, there is a critical need to strengthen food environment policies, including front-of-pack labeling (FOPL), marketing restrictions targeting children, fiscal measures such as taxation of unhealthy foods, and the harmonization of nutrient profiling models (NPMs) across borders.
The International Development Research Centre–Food Environment Policies (IDRC-FEP) study has provided key insights into how consumers interact with FOPL systems, creating a strong foundation for the development and adoption of more robust food labeling regulations in Kenya and other countries. The Legal and Policy Analyst will play a crucial role in converting this evidence into effective, actionable policies that promote healthier food environments in the region.
Key Responsibilities
1. Policy Research and Analysis
- Conduct detailed policy analyses to evaluate the current regulatory frameworks for food environment policies, including FOPL, marketing restrictions, and NPM harmonization in the East African region.
- Track national and regional legislation related to food labeling, marketing, fiscal policies, and nutrition regulations.
- Identify weaknesses in existing policies and propose improvements to strengthen regulatory effectiveness.
- Undertake legal feasibility studies in Tanzania and Uganda to support region-specific policy recommendations.
2. Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy
- Actively engage with national governments, regional bodies (e.g., East African Community and African Union), civil society groups, and the private sector to advocate for the implementation of evidence-driven food policies.
- Organize and facilitate policy roundtables, stakeholder workshops, and dialogue forums to drive consensus and influence decision-making.
- Represent APHRC at high-level policy engagements, regulatory forums, and technical committee meetings to present findings and offer legal and policy guidance.
3. Policy Development and Technical Support
- Provide direct support to government agencies in the drafting, reviewing, and finalization of policy documents, regulatory frameworks, and technical guidelines.
- Offer technical expertise in the development and regional harmonization of NPMs, ensuring they align with global best practices such as the WHO-AFRO Nutrient Profiling Model.
- Contribute to the writing of policy briefs, advocacy papers, and detailed reports for dissemination to key stakeholders and decision-makers.
4. Multi-Country Policy Coordination
- Coordinate regional policy harmonization efforts involving Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, ensuring coherence and consistency in food environment regulations.
- Liaise with regional economic communities like the EAC to incorporate labeling and nutrition policies into broader trade and health strategies.
- Foster collaboration between national and regional entities by participating in key working groups and technical taskforces.
5. Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing
- Plan and deliver capacity-building sessions for public health officials, regulatory agencies, and policymakers on various aspects of food regulation.
- Develop educational toolkits, training materials, and advocacy resources to increase awareness and capacity in policy implementation.
- Contribute to establishing a regional platform for peer learning and knowledge exchange on food environment policy experiences.
6. Project Management and Reporting
- Monitor the implementation and progress of policy interventions and advocacy activities, ensuring that project milestones are achieved on time and within budget.
- Prepare regular status updates, progress reports, and policy impact assessments for internal and external stakeholders.
- Support the development of funding proposals to secure resources for ongoing and future policy research initiatives.
Desired Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Law, Health Policy, Public Administration, or a related discipline.
- Master’s degree in a health-related field will be considered an added advantage.
- A postgraduate diploma in legal studies or certification in regulatory policy is desirable.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in legal and policy research, public health policy, food regulation, or advocacy.
- Demonstrated experience in engaging with government bodies, advocacy groups, and intergovernmental organizations.
- Prior involvement in regional harmonization efforts through entities like the EAC or AU is an advantage.
- Familiarity with the institutional and legal landscape in East Africa, particularly in food regulation and health governance.
- Strong research and analytical skills with proven policy analysis and legal writing capabilities.
- Excellent stakeholder coordination and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multi-country policy projects and facilitate intergovernmental collaboration.
- Knowledge of international models like the WHO-AFRO Nutrient Profiling Model and front-of-pack labeling practices is highly desirable.
- Strong organizational skills, project management experience, and the ability to work under tight timelines.
Special Notice
APHRC is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Center does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, age, disability, or any other protected category. Reasonable accommodation is available to applicants with disabilities to support participation in the recruitment process upon request.
Application Instructions
Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their application in English through the following link by April 11, 2025. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will also be required to provide a Police Clearance Certificate as part of the recruitment process.
