Associate Program Officer, Legal Equality at Equality Now

Position / Role Summary

In order to enhance the application and implementation of the Maputo Protocol, the Associate Program Officer (APO) will support Equality Now and SOAWR’s work and advocacy for the full ratification, domestication, implementation, and accountability of the Maputo Protocol.

Key Responsibilities

Working within the Legal Equality Programme at Equality Now, the APO will support the SOAWR Coalition and its Secretariat (Equality Now) on key initiatives related to its advocacy for the full ratification, domestication, and implementation of the Maputo Protocol, under the “All for Maputo Protocol Initiative”. In this regard, the APO will:

• Support the SOAWR Coalition and its Secretariat in the implementation and monitoring of the SOAWR Strategic Plan (2020-2024) and assist in the collation and review of Members’ annual work plans towards the implementation of the SOAWR 2020-2024 Strategic Plan including working closely with the SOAWR Coalition Secretariat and Steering Committee.
• Support the implementation of the All for Maputo Protocol Initiative by the SOAWR Coalition and track the domestication and implementation of the Maputo Protocol using the Multi-Sectoral Approach (MSA), supporting activities and initiatives geared towards the universal ratification, domestication, and implementation of the Maputo Protocol (“the All for Maputo Protocol Initiative) including providing advocacy and campaigning support, coordinating ratification missions and in-country advocacy in conjunction with the SOAWR Secretariat, Steering Committee and members.
• Support the SOAWR sub-granting process including the development of sub-grant terms of reference/ call for proposals and relevant documents, collating all applications, coordinating proposal review meetings and communication with grantees, and support the management of sub-grants to SOAWR members.
• Develop relevant publications on the All for Maputo Protocol Initiative including but limited to the annual SOAWR journal and newsletter, online journal on the state of the Maputo Protocol as well as an annual publication on the status of implementation of the Maputo Protocol.
• Work closely with the Legal Advisor, Legal Equality and Consultant(s) on the successful development, delivery and rollout of the SOAWR communication strategy and monitor and support its implementation including by popularizing it among members of the SOAWR Coalition.
• Conduct high-quality continental, country-specific, and thematic research that will be used in targeted advocacy across different countries and regions on the Continent.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of high-quality and research-based advocacy strategies for the ratification, domestication, and implementation of the Maputo Protocol in target countries.
• Monitor the human rights and political/ social situation of target countries to inform advocacy strategies for use by the SOAWR Coalition and its Secretariat.
• Provide support to civil society organizations, including SOAWR members, on shadow/alternative reporting on the Maputo Protocol. This responsibility includes coordinating training and capacity enhancement activities, technical support on aspects of shadow reporting as well as support in following up on reporting aftermath (e.g., monitoring concluding remarks by relevant treaty bodies and steps taken by states in response to the shadow report).
• Support assessments, surveys, and audits of initiatives carried out by the SOAWR Coalition and its Secretariat and support the research and development of reports and training materials targeting the public, legal actors, civil society, governments, and treaty bodies. members
• Support the convening of events and meetings related to the overall objective outlined above including capacity strengthening activities, curriculum development, public lectures, moot courts, trainings, SOAWR members meetings, stakeholder meetings, advocacy missions etc, and other day-to-day support to the work of the Legal Equality team at Equality Now’s Nairobi Office.
• Support the content management of the SOAWR website and social media platforms as well as the relevant sections of the Equality Now website.
• Assist the Senior Legal Advisor, Legal Equality in ensuring timely and regular communication between the SOAWR Secretariat, the SOAWR Steering Committee, relevant sub-committees and the membership of the SOAWR Coalition in both English and French.
• Support the Africa Family Law campaign and other LEQ Africa campaigns through research, coordination, and convening of meetings.
• Support litigation projects and monitor and document the outcomes of litigation on the continent with respect to the Maputo Protocol.
• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Other duties as reasonably requested

• Participate in and contribute to Equality Now staff meetings including relevant thematic groups’ discussions.

Supervision

• Supervise interns as required.

Team membership

• Member of the Legal Equality team and the Rights of Women in Africa Campaign.