FGM Program Manager , Equality Now

The Opportunity

Experienced Program Manager sought for an international human rights organization working for the protection and promotion of the rights of women and girls worldwide, to manage and coordinate work to end female genital mutilation (FGM), one of the organization’s program areas. This is a full-time position based in Nairobi, reporting to the Nairobi Office Director (and in the future to the Director of Program Operations) and requiring close collaboration with Nairobi, London, and New York office directors, program officers, and communications and development staff.  The FGM Program Manager will provide both leadership and support to advance the goals and implement the strategic vision of Equality Now’s anti-FGM work. 

The Position

The FGM Program Manager’s work is guided by the following goal and job tasks:

Goal:  Develop and implement Equality Now’s program on ending FGM.

The FGM Program Manager will be guided by Equality Now’s strategic plan and policy and s/he will undertake the following tasks:

Program implementation:

• Supervise FGM program officers and coordinate the FGM program activities where appropriate of those working on AGLDF cases in all offices, Washington, DC, and the Middle East; and lead monthly FGM thematic calls to ensure coordination and cooperation on FGM work across locations and move Equality Now’s work on FGM 
• Oversee implementation of ongoing projects and ensure targeted outcomes are met and refine Equality Now’s strategy on ending FGM in light of new information and experience
• Devise new strategies to monitor and evaluate successes and challenges on the ground and to develop creative mechanisms to highlight these to stakeholders and the broader public
• Identify existing and new tools to further advance the campaign against FGM, particularly through public advocacy
• Lead on the development of Equality Action campaigns targeting governments on the elimination of FGM
• Engage, including through correspondence, with relevant government officials on Equality Now’s active campaigns on ending FGM

Partnerships

• Liaise with international agencies working on FGM, including the WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and others, to discuss strategies and potential collaboration to eliminate FGM
• Strengthen collaborations with regional and international organisations, such as the Inter-African Committee, No Peace Without Justice, Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR) and campaigns whose goals match Equality Now’s in ending FGM
• Identify and/or participate in other partnership-building opportunities to end FGM
• Strengthen relations and networking with partners working on the ground to end FGM

FGM campaign visibility

• Act as Equality Now’s spokesperson on FGM as required
• Develop and oversee implementation of plans for the best use of Equality Now’s promotional materials against FGM, including Africa Rising and other educational materials generated by Equality Now or with partners and support development of new materials to promote advocacy to end FGM
• Work with the media team to help implement a media strategy and respond to media and the public on questions about the FGM practice as required
• Work with media officers to develop articles for the media, including letters to editors and opinion pieces, and speak to issues within the context of international law that prohibit FGM including Article 5 of the African Protocol on the Rights of Women

Fundraising

• Identify additional funding sources for Equality Now’s work against FGM and engage with donors on the issue
• Work with Equality Now’s fund raising managers in soliciting grants, developing proposals and on reporting to donors on active grants

Other duties

• Other duties as reasonably required

Desired Skills and Experience

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in relevant subject required, professional background in international law a plus
• 5-7 years of experience on issues such as FGM and women’s and girls’ rights (preferably with an international organization) and at least 3 years of management experience;
• Strong writing skills;
• Experience of advocacy impact evaluation welcome;
• Power point and Excel spreadsheet skills;
• Knowledge of international and African regional human rights framework and relevant human rights mechanisms/instruments;
• Fluency in French and/or Arabic a plus;
• Interpersonal skills to work effectively and respectfully with co-workers in a small office and with colleagues internationally;
• Ability to “manage up” to organization’s leadership to ensure all deadlines are met and relationships stewarded; and

Integrity in representing the organization and its work to funding partners.

Salary -- Commensurate with experience.

To Apply -- Please send resume and cover letter to “The Search Committee” at equalitynownairobi@equalitynow.org by Friday 31st January 2014 with the subject line “FGM Program Manager.” No calls please. Equality Now will unfortunately only be able to respond to short-listed candidates.