TMEP COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

1) APPLICATION PROCESS

Please read the background information and job description below. Please read these carefully to ensure you understand RFSU, the project involved, and the specific job being advertised.

If you feel that you are a good fit for RFSU and TMEP, and if you believe you can make a significant contribution to the project in the capacity as Communications Coordinator, please apply.

Application process - please:
• Send a cover letter briefly explaining why you want this job, why you are suitable for the job, and your current monthly salary including benefits
• Provide an up-to-date CV
• Ensure your CV includes clear contact details for up to three referees. Provide the name, position, and contact details including email and telephone number. Note: at least one referee should be your current or last employer. References will not be taken until after interviews are conducted
• Submit your application by email to: infodar@rfsu.se

Closing date for applications: 3rd January 2014. TMEP will only contact those applicants that are shortlisted. 

Interviews are scheduled for: 16th & 17th January 2014.

Successful candidate should start work at TMEP as soon as possible.

Note: applications from both women and men are welcome.

2) INTRODUCTION TO RFSU

This brief section introduces RFSU and provides a link to the RFSU website where further information can be found about the organisation and its work.

“I dream of the day when every newborn child is welcome, when men and women are equal, and when sexuality is an expression of intimacy, joy and tenderness.”

The words are those of Elise Ottesen–Jensen, who started Riksförbundet för Sexuell Upplysning (the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education) – RFSU in 1933. The right to an abortion and contraception, sex education in schools and the decriminalisation of homosexuality were some of the issues that “Ottar” and her colleagues campaigned for. In order to get the money for these controversial activities, they started selling condoms – and that’s still the case today. Initially, RFSU ran its campaign for education, justice and change in the face of strong opposition, but gradually the work led to major changes, and even legislative changes.

Today RFSU is the leading organisation in Sweden in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). RFSU has no party political or religious affiliation.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) can be understood as the right for all, whether young or old, women, men or transgender, straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual, HIV positive or negative, to make choices regarding their own sexuality and reproduction, providing these respect the rights of others to bodily integrity. This definition also includes the right to access information and services needed to support these choices and optimize health.

RFSU sees openness on sexuality as the point of entry of health promotion, prevention of STIs and HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancies. We also believe that the rights to sexual and reproductive health services and to sexuality education are key tools in the struggle for a healthier and more equitable society. Our work is based on three freedoms that are fundamental preconditions for a person’s ability to experience self-worth and self-esteem: freedom to choose, freedom to enjoy, and freedom to be oneself. An important condition to these freedoms is that one person’s freedom may not infringe on another's.

RFSU has worked on SRHR internationally for many years through long-term cooperation with local partner organisations and by developing methods and accessible approaches that can facilitate change. Through our advocacy and political efforts we strive to improve policies concerning sexual issues in general throughout the world. RFSU works specifically to affect and change policy and legislation within the area of SRHR. Furthermore, RFSU works to increase resources allocated to SRHR causes and to spread information concerning sexuality, reproduction, health, rights and foreign aid issues in a global perspective.

For more information about RFSU visit the website www.rfsu.se

3) TANZANIAN MEN AS EQUAL PARTNERS

Improved sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and women’s health is essential for the achievement of key Millennium Development Goals (3, 5, 6) and Tanzania’s National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (MKUKUTA Strategies 5.3.2.2. C, D). Women are not well informed of their rights and many of their SRH needs go unmet. Efforts to empower women, increase their use of services, and improve their SRH are undermined by the actions of men.

Without addressing the dominating expression of masculinity and its influence on sexual relationships, SRHR and gender equality, the success of efforts to promote the rights and empowerment of women and girls is limited. In many cases, men have been recognized as the key problem when it comes to unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections including HIV, sexual harassment and gender-based violence.

Special efforts should be made to emphasize men’s shared responsibility and promote their active involvement in responsible parenthood, sexual and reproductive behaviour, including family planning[1]

Despite this situation being generally understood, many projects do not target men effectively. There remains little knowledge on how to involve men in a positive way in SRHR work and how such involvement can bring increased gender equality and benefits for both women and men.

RFSU views male involvement as a key strategy to scale up SRHR information, education and services, thus helping communities – women and men - to fully exercise their rights to sexual and reproductive rights. The term ‘male involvement’ refers to a situation in which men are involved as actors in SRHR promotion and service delivery with an understanding of gender and sexuality. To encourage men to become better informed and more involved in SRHR often requires them to first become more questioning of traditional definitions of masculinity and gender roles, and more active users of SRH services. The impact of this greater utilization and greater involvement is felt not only by men but also, significantly, by women. Men’s greater enlightenment and engagement catalyses increased access to and utilization of SRH services for women, as well as positive changes to social norms and in particular to gender roles.

RFSU has addressed SRHR issues in Sweden since the 1930s. Working in Sweden and internationally, over many years RFSU has developed knowledge and methods in the area of male involvement. In particular, the TMEP project builds on experience and lessons learnt from the Young Men as Equal Partners (YMEP) project that was implemented by RFSU and other IPPF member associations of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia.

TMEP is designed as a collaborative effort between RFSU and local partner organizations RODI and HAPA. It employs the strategy of male involvement to promote SRHR of both women and men. The project focuses on two under-served regions of Tanzania – Rukwa and Singida - covering a total of 8 districts and 158 wards.

At community level TMEP informs, sensitizes and mobilizes. Community members are trained as peer educators. They facilitate local events to provide information, stimulate dialogue, distribute condoms, and refer people to local health services. Clubs established in schools and in the community discuss sexuality, gender and SRH matters, and work to promote gender equality and male involvement. Service providers are assisted to develop their understanding of the rights-based approach to SRH service delivery, become more male friendly, and increase uptake of services. TMEP ensures close liaison with government stakeholders through regular meetings with Council Health Management Teams, AIDS councils, and representatives of the health and education departments among others.

At national level, TMEP focuses on communications, advocacy and capacity building. Communications work has included collaboration with the Fema and Si Mchezo magazines, Fema TV Talk show and various other media to open up SRHR and gender for discussion. TMEP advocacy explains and promotes male involvement in SRHR, and works with government to ensure SRHR and male involvement are included in policies, procedures and training materials. Much of the advocacy work is in partnership with other civil society organisations. Capacity development of partners and stakeholders is a key aspect of the project. TMEP trains and mentors trainers and helps build the capacity of local organisations and relevant government structures.

The TMEP project began with an inception phase from December 2009 to end of July 2010. On approval of the Inception Report, the project moved into full implementation. Originally, project implementation was scheduled to end in mid-2013, but first a cost extension was agreed with the Swedish Embassy to cover implementation up until the end of 2013 and the project was then invited to submit a new proposal to cover work until mid-2015. Starting in early 2014 TMEP will be exploring alternative funding sources for the project’s second long-term phase.

[1] The Programme of Action adopted at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), Cairo 1994, paragraph 4.27

4) JOB DESCRIPTION: TMEP Communications Coordinator

Location: TMEP Secretariat RFSU Dar office

Reports to: TMEP Project Manager

Conditions of service: service contract, initial period of up to 18 months (with possibility of renewal), salary paid monthly in arrears

The Communications Coordinator is a senior member of the TMEP Secretariat and will have the following roles and responsibilities:

1. To support the Project Manager in the overall management and leadership of the project. This role involves coordination and supervision of staff, project management and planning, and coordination with project partners. It also involves acting as Project Manager in his absence
2. Provide technical and management leadership on TMEP communications work. This role to involve development of the project’s communications strategy and work plan, ensuring that success stories and lessons are gathered from the field and from national level implementation experiences, managing the development and dissemination of specific communications products, ensuring liaison with communications staff at RFSU HQ in Stockholm
3. Monitor and manage the TMEP communications budget and adjust plans to ensure maximum results  achieved in the most cost-effective way, including appropriate use of consultants and partnerships
4. Work closely with other Secretariat staff, implementing partners and other stakeholders to ensure documentation and dissemination of success stories and lessons learnt from TMEP
5. Contribution to and quality assurance of project narrative reports.
6. Represent TMEP and advocate for sexual and reproductive health rights in diverse fora, including meetings with government and civil society, conferences and seminars, media events, etc.
7. Undertake other project tasks as asked by RFSU head office.

Required qualifications and experience:

• Graduate; post-graduate qualification an added advantage
• At least 5 years’ experience and sound knowledge and experience of managing communications work
• Strong skills in writing and editing and generation of quality print media; experience of radio and TV/video communications an added advantage
• Advanced user of computers and other IT to effectively communicate, including use of websites and other internet media
• Experience of project management and supervising staff; organizational management experience an added advantage.
• Familiarity with results-based management approaches
• Experience of working on sexual and reproductive health rights an added advantage.
• Sound experience of working with NGOs and the development sector