Andrew Griffiths
About Andrew Griffiths
Andrew Griffiths serves as the Head of Advocacy at Sightsavers in the United Kingdom, a position he has held since 2014. With a background in policy and public affairs, he has contributed significantly to disability inclusion and sustainable development goals across various countries.
Work at Sightsavers
Andrew Griffiths has served as the Head of Advocacy at Sightsavers since 2014. In this role, he has focused on promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in various advocacy initiatives. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding the advocacy team from three to nine members between 2014 and 2019, coinciding with a nearly doubled budget. Prior to his current position, he worked as a Policy Manager at Sightsavers for ten months in 2013-2014.
Education and Expertise
Andrew Griffiths holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History from the University of Nottingham, where he studied from 2017 to 2023. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Church History from the same institution between 2012 and 2015. Earlier, he completed a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Politics at the University of Durham, St John's College, from 2004 to 2007. His educational background supports his expertise in advocacy and policy related to disability rights.
Background
Before joining Sightsavers, Andrew Griffiths accumulated significant experience in the nonprofit sector. He worked at World Vision UK as a Child Health Policy Adviser from 2011 to 2013 and as a Public Affairs Adviser from 2009 to 2011. His career began at NSPCC, where he served as a Public Affairs Assistant from 2008 to 2009. This diverse background has equipped him with a strong foundation in policy development and public affairs.
Achievements
Andrew Griffiths has led initiatives that significantly impacted disability inclusion in various national reviews. He facilitated the inclusion of people with disabilities in 19 Voluntary National Review processes, which resulted in notable changes in the reports, recognized by UN DESA. He co-chaired the Bond SDG group, contributing to the UK government Voluntary National Review and providing oral evidence to the International Development Select Committee in 2019. Additionally, he successfully advocated for new disability legislation in Uganda and Nigeria in 2019.
Projects and Initiatives
In his role, Andrew Griffiths implemented an innovative project in India that focused on local accountability for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This project aimed to enhance the engagement of local communities in the SDG framework, ensuring that their voices were heard in the accountability processes. His work in this area reflects a commitment to fostering inclusive practices in development initiatives.