Head of Africa Programme at Legal Action Worldwide (LAW)

Job description

BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND OF THE POSITION

LAW is currently looking for a dynamic and committed individual to head up its Africa legal programmes. The person will be based in Nairobi with frequent travel. Currently LAW’s programmes focus on Somalia and South Sudan but LAW envisages this expanding in 2018 and beyond. The unique individual will not only run, define and expand LAW’s current Africa programmes but will have a key role within LAW and will be a member of LAW’s Senior Management Team.

We are looking for an international human rights lawyer with programme management and fundraising experience. The person must be willing and able to undertake both high level technical advice and advocacy but also to undertake daily programmatic and administrative tasks in order to run a regional office. Currently ten staff will report to the position as well as numerous partners however, it is envisaged that this could significantly expand. Women and candidates from or based in the Horn of Africa region are particularly encouraged to apply.

Position Description

Reports to: Executive Director

Functions/Key Results Expected

• Programmatic
  • Responsible for leading and implementing the expansion of LAW’s Africa Programme including the creation of a three year strategy with the assistance of the Executive Director, LAW’s Senior Management Team and Board;
  • Responsible for leading the implementation of LAW’s current Africa programme. This will include:
  • Undertaking programme implementation and oversight of both staff and partners work on LAW projects in Somalia and South Sudan, including those on: addressing sexual violence; accountability of security forces; and natural resource exploitation and displacement. This will include working closely with senior members of the Somali government,; judiciary and law enforcement. This will also included working with LAW’s civil society; UN and donor network in Somalia and Kenya as well as expanding this network.
  • Development and oversight of new research projects and publications;
  • Identification, preparation and lodging of strategic litigation cases and other creative legal interventions with partners;
  • Ensuring LAW projects and programmes are implemented to the highest possible standard through coordination of projects including managing all project staff, overseeing work done in field, etc.
  • Development and maintenance of a network of relevant experts;
  • Keeping up to date with developments and initiatives in areas relevant to the programme;
  • Coordination with LAW’s senior management team and offices in London, Geneva, Beirut and Colombo (Sri Lanka) with a view to the development of the Africa Programme and of LAW as an organisation.
• Advocacy
  • Preparing a regional advocacy strategy including social media;
  • Identification and implementation of advocacy opportunities with a view to raising the profile of the organisation and its work;
  • Attendance of conferences and events as a representative of LAW;
  • Participation in high-level meetings, including bi-lateral meetings with senior figures from government, donors, international organisations and civil society;
  • Acting as a media-facing spokesperson for LAW in Africa for television, radio, or other news media where required, especially in relation to LAW’s Africa Programme;
  • Creating a network of relevant regional partners for LAW;
  • Working with project teams, LAW’s advocacy team in Geneva, and project partners on the development and implementation of relevant, effective advocacy strategies designed to enhance the impact of LAW’s projects and the Africa Programme more generally.
• Fundraising
  • Creating a regional fundraising strategy including the identification of national and regional fundraising opportunities; preparing concept notes and proposals;
  • Maintaining LAW’s current donors and expanding its donor base;
  • Identifying and meeting with relevant donors in the region.
• Programme Management
  • Oversight of all Africa programmes including managmenet and implementation of projects and project budgets;
  • Ensuring reporting deadlines are met, writing narrative reports and checking them against financial reports, working closely with LAW’s Africa Finance Manager and LAW’s global Finance and Operations Manager;
  • Taking the lead in seeking security advice and advising with the Executive Director with the assistance of security advisors in preparation for staff travel to Somalia, South Sudan and any other relevant locations.
• Administrative
  • Overall management of LAW’s Nairobi office, including oversight of LAW’s Kenyan operations. A finance and operations manager in Nairobi office will run the ‘day to day” of the office:
  • Assistance with relevant administrative or operations tasks as identified by LAW’s Executive Director.

Skills And Qualifications Required

• Qualified lawyer with minimum of 7 years practice experience in human rights, criminal, family or refugee law. Experience working with cases of sexual and gender based violence preferred;
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in programme management;
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in fundraising and liaising with donors;
• Excellent written and oral English, research and drafting skills;
• Experience advising government or judicial institutions preferred;
• Experience working in the East and/ or Horn of Africa preferred;
• Experience in overseeing the growth or expansion of an organization preferred;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and strong technical literacy;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work on own and take initiative;
• Ability to meet deadlines;
• Flexibility; someone who is familiar with the volatile and unpredictable nature of working in post conflict environments;
• Ability to manage relationships at all levels, possess excellent negotiation skills and will demonstrate excellent communication skills.

Duration of the assignment

The position would be based in Nairobi with frequent travel to Somalia and South Sudan, and potentially to other countries within or outside of the regions. The assignment will be for a probation period of three months and thereafter a contract of two years. An extension after this time is possible.