Head of Research & Advocacy

Organisational Overview

Cimilo iyo Caafimaad is a youth-led initiative focused on the intersection of climate change, health, and community resilience in Somalia and across the Somali diaspora. Through community-driven research, storytelling, and advocacy, Cimilo iyo Caafimaad works to elevate Somali perspectives in climate-health conversations and support community-informed responses to emerging public health challenges.

About the Role

Cimilo iyo Caafimaad is seeking a thoughtful, detail-oriented, and collaborative Head of Research & Advocacy to support research, policy, partnerships, and grant development efforts across the organization.

This role is ideal for someone interested in environmental justice, climate policy, global health, research, advocacy, or nonprofit development, and who enjoys synthesizing information, identifying opportunities, and contributing to community-led initiatives.

The Head of Research and Advocacy will work closely with the Executive Director and team to support strategic research, funding identification, policy engagement, and youth consultation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Research & Grant Support

• Conduct in-depth research to identify potential grant opportunities, institutional donors, fellowships, and strategic partnerships aligned with Cimilo iyo Caafimaad‘s mission and priorities.
• Assess the compatibility of funding opportunities and institutional partnerships, providing realistic and actionable recommendations to support organizational growth and sustainability.
• Review and synthesize large volumes of information into concise summaries, briefing notes, donor profiles, and research insights for internal use.
• Collaborate closely with the Executive Director and volunteer team to support proposal development and organizational strategy.

Policy & Advocacy Support

• Conduct research and analysis on climate-health and public health policy issues relevant to Somalia and the Somali diaspora.
• Support the drafting of policy briefs, advocacy materials, consultation reports, and position papers to strengthen Cimilo iyo Caafimaad‘s advocacy and engagement efforts.
• Monitor relevant policy developments, global health conversations, and international climate processes to identify strategic opportunities for engagement.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with youth networks, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and global health partners.
• Co-develop policy briefs, consultation reports, advocacy statements, and research summaries aligned with Cimilo iyo Caafimaad‘s strategic priorities.

Required Skills & Experience

• Experience in research, advocacy, nonprofit work, public health, policy, fundraising, or community engagement is strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to evaluate large amounts of information and identify key insights and opportunities.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and thoughtfully. (Somali is an asset).
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage tasks independently and meet deadlines in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and demonstrate initiative in a remote working environment.

Personal Traits

• Passion for environmental justice, global health, and community-led development.
• Highly organized, exceptional orientation to detail with strong follow-through.
• Self-starter who thrives in a remote and in-person, collaborative environment.
• Values-aligned and enthusiastic about Cimilo iyo Caafimaad‘s mission and anti-colonial, community-driven approach.
• Adaptable, humble, and eager to continuously learn and improve.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful cross-cultural communication.

We will be accepting applicants on a rolling basis.

For additional inquiries or questions, reach out to us at hello@cimiloiyocaafimaad.com