Programmes Manager Urgent Action Fund-Africa (UAF-Africa)

Are you a strategic thinker with a skill for spotting new opportunities for funding and action on women's rights? Do you believe in supporting Africa's women human rights defenders to change the continent? Are you passionate about women's rights and expanding feminist analysis and action on the key issues facing African women's rights? Do you love building effective teams? If you are then consider applying for the job of..."

Programmes Manager

The Urgent Action Fund-Africa (UAF-Africa), based in Nairobi, Kenya seeks a Programmes Manager who will translate UAF-Africa’s 2011-2015 strategic plans into effective development initiatives and results. Guided by feminist principles and values, UAF-Africa advocates for women’s equality, not only as a matter of human rights, but also as a fundamental prerequisite for social justice, global security, and sustainable peace. UAF-Africa supports women activists in Africa through Rapid Response Grant making in three contexts: defense of rights in conflict and post conflict situations, escalating socio-political violence or repression; potentially precedent setting legislative actions; and protection of women’s human rights defenders. UAF-Africa also implements alliance building and advocacy initiatives with other organisations including ground-breaking initiatives, research and publications - to deepen understanding on gender dimensions and implications of particular conflicts and marginalised sexual rights; provide women with tools needed for strategic engagements and policy advocacy and to encourage knowledge and information sharing in critical areas affecting women’s rights.

The Programmes Manager is a dynamic leader who is an exceptional, dynamic, self-driven, team player with a unique hybrid of activism and leadership qualities. Supported by a values oriented team, s/he has experience at senior management level, knowledge of and commitment to feminist principles and values and women’s human rights issues, and a sophisticated ability to forging mutually reinforcing partnerships with relevant women’s rights

CSO partners, academia, media, private sector, UN & AU counterparts and with bilateral and non-traditional funders in order to stimulate action in the mobilization of visibility and resources to advance gender equality and women’s rights.

S/he has experience in resource mobilisation and financial management, proven management of a diverse and virtually connected staff complement, bilingual in French and English with excellent communication skills. Respect for minority diversity and a collaborative working style are essential. S/he must be willing to undertake frequent travel sub -regionally, regionally and internationally. The selected candidate will report to the Executive Director/CEO. The position will be based in the candidate’s home country in line with UAF-Africa’s virtual office policy. The selected candidate will take up this post by March 2013.

Management Responsibility

• Provide strategic oversight, technical and program management to ensure programs delivery, high quality outputs, with accuracy and consistency.
• Provide management advisory role on all aspects of program support, including leading the core programmes team, and contributing to resource mobilization.
• To identify how to catalyse debate and strategic action on issues emerging from UAF-A grant-making, in collaboration with other stakeholders, and to initiate and co-ordinate resultant projects.
• Participate as a member of the UAF-Africa management team.
• Play a key role in managing and expanding the regional programme portfolio.
• Ensure sound financial and resource management of all programmes.

Description of Duties

• Develop a clear plan and strategy for program management to ensure effective implementation.
• Monitor programme budgets and prepare budget modifications when necessary.
• Lead in proposal development for programme growth.
• Disseminate programme information by preparing timely and regular programme reports.
• Develop and lead research and advocacy activities integrated in the overall programme.
• Develop and maintain solid working relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Lead and manage programme trend analysis for continuous improvement.
• Assess level of risks associated with programme implementation and suggest mitigation strategies.
• Develop guidelines, and toolkits for effective programme implementation.
• Manage staff development through performance based management and leadership.
• Undertakes other programme related duties as may be assigned by supervisor.

Professional Qualifications

• Master's degree in social sciences, law, gender studies, or other development-related fields.

Relevant Experience

• Progressive gender equality/women’ rights and or social?justice experience and knowledge at international level particularly work experience in developing countries.
• In-depth understanding of gender equality and women’s rights issues, particularly in conflict and post conflict African settings.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience of managing a diversified national /regional women’s/human rights programme in a funding setting working on grant making, advocacy, alliance building, action research and communications.
• Demonstrated expertise in successful resource mobilisation.
• Familiarity with the women’s rights development needs in Africa.
• Proven experience in managing and leading virtual staff and team building.
• Feminist with contextual knowledge of the women’s rights situation on the continent and commitment to adhering to individual and organisational feminist principles and values.
• Knowledge of development frameworks, donor liaison and management.

Key Skills

• Fluency in written and spoken English and French (a must)
• Excellent inter-personal, public speaking and negotiation skills
• Developing others and building effective teams
• Virtual team leadership
• Balanced and intuitive decision-making
• Role Modelling
• Proven results-based programme development, organisation and management
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate emerging needs and integrate them speedily into priority settings
• Good understanding of electronic communications and standard office computer software

This is an international position that involves extensive travel. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply:

Applicants fulfilling the requirements should submit their application together with a detailed CV and all relevant attachments via email to jobs@urgentactionfund-africa.or.ke with the subject line Programmes Manager by 4 pm Friday 1 st March 2013. Hard copies should be sent to; Human Resources Office, Urgent Action Fund -Africa, PO Box 53841-00200 Nairobi-Kenya. UAF-Africa will respond to candidates who are short-listed for interviews.