Governments, parliaments and funders respond to organisations that bring credible evidence, a clear request and a trusted relationship. Many NGOs, networks and public bodies have strong technical work but weak routes into the decisions that determine whether it scales. Meanwhile, shrinking funding and tighter civic space mean that partnerships and coalitions have to be managed with the same rigour as any other programme.

This programme gives managers a complete system for planning, running and reviewing influence work. Participants start with advocacy theory of change and the policy process, then analyse stakeholders, craft messages and prepare policy briefs and submissions. Later sessions address campaign management, risk and safeguarding in sensitive advocacy, and the governance of partnerships, from selecting partners and agreeing roles to managing disputes and reporting to donors.

Teaching blends short inputs with live case work. Participants apply each tool to an issue from their own organisation, so that by the final session they have a draft advocacy strategy, a stakeholder map, a partnership framework and a simple results framework ready for internal review.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Develop an advocacy strategy with a clear change goal, target audiences and a theory of change.
• Map stakeholders by influence, interest and position to identify entry points in the policy process.
• Craft evidence-based messages and policy briefs tailored to different decision makers.
• Plan and budget advocacy campaigns that use media, social media and public events.
• Establish and govern coalitions and partnerships with clear roles and agreements.
• Manage donor and government relationships while protecting organisational independence.
• Monitor advocacy outcomes using outcome harvesting and contribution analysis.
• Assess and mitigate risks to staff, partners and communities in sensitive advocacy.

The course suits professionals who lead or support influence work and partner relationships, including:

• Advocacy and policy officers in NGOs and think tanks
• Programme and project managers seeking policy impact
• Executive directors and heads of civil society networks
• Communications and public affairs managers
• Government liaison and intergovernmental relations staff
• Partnership and resource mobilisation managers
• Development partner and foundation programme officers
• Community-based organisation coordinators
• Parliamentary and county assembly committee staff

Participants leave the course with:

• A draft advocacy strategy and workplan for an issue they care about.
• A stakeholder power map showing who to approach first and why.
• A two-page policy brief using their own evidence.
• A partnership framework covering selection, roles, communication and exit.
• A monitoring sheet for tracking policy outcomes and contribution.
• A risk register for sensitive advocacy activities.

Learning is applied from the first session, so participants work on live issues rather than abstract examples. The programme includes:

• Facilitated briefings on each stage of the influence cycle
• Stakeholder and power-mapping workshops on real policy questions
• Writing clinics for briefs, messages and talking points
• Role-play negotiations with ministry officials and partner organisations
• Peer review of each participant's draft strategy

Participants who attend the sessions and complete the practical exercises are awarded a CPD-accredited Certificate of Completion by Vision Reach Global Consultancy, a record of professional development they can add to their portfolio.