Head of Government Engagement and Public Policy at Blue Ventures

Head of government engagement and public policy - east africa

Location: Kenya or Tanzania

Contract status: Regional, full-time

Closing date for applications: 2 May 2026

Remuneration:

• Kenya: Kes 4,852,623 - Kes 7,181,882 gross per annum
• Tanzania: Tzs 70,126,672 - Tzs 103,787,474 gross per annum

Summary job description Blue ventures builds coalitions of aligned organisations to jointly confront globally pervasive threats to coastal fishing communities and promote specific changes in priorities, policies and legislation in global and regional agreements and national commitments to protect the coastal zone and prioritise the rights of communities who depend on healthy coastal ecosystems.

Reporting to the regional director for east africa, this is a strategic leadership role responsible for directing blue ventures’ government relations, advocacy, and public policy efforts across the region. The head of government engagement and public policy will lead the development and implementation of a cohesive regional advocacy strategy, focusing on securing policy reforms that support small-scale fisheries (ssf), marine conservation, and community-led management.

The role involves high-level engagement with national governments, regional bodies (such as the african union and east african community), and multilateral organisations to elevate the voices of coastal communities in policy dialogues.

Responsibilities

Strategic leadership and advocacy

• Lead the development and execution of blue ventures’ regional advocacy and policy strategy for east africa, aligned with global goals.
• Identify and prioritise key policy windows and entry points for influencing national and regional decision-making.
• Provide strategic advice to the regional director and senior leadership on political trends, policy developments, and engagement opportunities.

Government relations and partnership management

• Build and maintain high-level relationships with senior government officials, policy makers, and regulators in key east african countries.
• Represent blue ventures in national and regional policy forums, working groups, and consultations.
• Facilitate partnerships between coastal community representatives and government decision-makers to ensure community perspectives are integrated into policy.

Policy analysis and development

• Monitor and analyse national and regional policies, legislation, and international commitments related to fisheries, marine conservation, and climate change.
• Lead the production of high-quality policy briefs, position papers, and technical reports to support advocacy objectives.
• Work closely with technical teams to ensure blue ventures’ advocacy is grounded in field evidence and community insights.

Coalition building and movement support

• Support the growth and effectiveness of national and regional small-scale fisheries networks and civil society coalitions.
• Collaborative with partners to develop joint advocacy campaigns and shared policy positions.
• Provide technical assistance and capacity building to local partners on advocacy and government engagement.

Internal coordination and communication

• Ensure strong alignment and communication between regional advocacy efforts and blue ventures’ global policy team.
• Translate complex policy issues into accessible information for internal teams and external audiences.
• Contribute to regional planning, budgeting, and reporting processes.

Skills and experience

• Significant experience (10+ years) in senior-level advocacy, government relations, or public policy, ideally within the environment, fisheries, or international development sectors in east africa.
• Proven track record of influencing policy change at national or regional levels.
• Deep understanding of the political economy and policy landscapes of east african countries (especially kenya and tanzania).
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience working with or representing civil society organisations or community-based networks.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to synthesise complex information into compelling advocacy messaging.
• Fluency in english is required; proficiency in swahili or other regional languages is highly desirable.
• Experience in managing diverse teams and working effectively in a cross-cultural, remote-first environment.

Blue ventures is a mission-driven organisation; we are looking for an individual who is passionate about marine conservation and social justice, and who shares our commitment to placing communities at the heart of conservation.