Program Officer - End Harmful Practices Program (EHP) at Equality Now

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working closely with fellow EHP Program officer, and EHP Global lead, and under the direct supervision of the Africa Regional Coordinator, the Program officer shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
• Strategic support
• Provide technical support and leadership in implementation of the Multi Sectoral Approach, in addressing harmful practices including FGM and Child marriage in Kajiado, Narok and Kwale including identifying appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles and other materials relevant to the gender justice project.
• Manage, support and guide civil society and State partners in Narok, Kajiado and Kwale as well as Nationally (Anti-FGM Board and the Multi Agency Technical Committee  on ending FGM providing technical support and leadership in implementation of the gender justice project.
• Provide input and leadership in addressing emerging issues as relates to harmful practices in Kenya and in the African region more broadly Research, Writing, and Communication
• Prepare well researched briefs ,working papers , concept notes and agenda alongside  comparative case law in view of various convening to be held under the gender justice and related projects  and overseeing the running and management of these convening 
• Monitoring and documentation of the implementation of gender justice project including Memorandum of Association signed, joint work plans developed, activity reports and communication liaising relevant state actors and subsequently updating the tracker and joint gender justice folder in the G-drive.
• Documentation of key lessons learnt, opportunities identified and partnerships mapped out for sharing with the broader gender justice team including Regional Coordinator and Global lead EHPWork stream Management
• Provide support to the management of projects and the administration of the Program including inputs to budget, fundraising and reporting activities
• Coordinate service providers, and support preparation, processing, and administration of consultants and technical services contracts/agreements.
• Generate various drafts as requested from time to time (letters, speeches, presentations, reports) for approval by the supervisor.
• Where so requested, to assist in managing the gender justice calendar, by keeping track of the upcoming relevant state actors and partners meetings and events relevant to the project and making all the necessary preparations, as well as keeping minutes during such meetings; 
• Participating in the conceptualisation, drafting and editing of gender justice periodic reports.
• Such other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor or by the EHP Global lead

The Program Officer will, at all times:

• Carry out the services and perform her/his tasks with care, skill and in an efficient and professional manner.
• Ensure a high degree of quality in her/his outputs.
• Maintain high levels of integrity and confidentiality.
• Be guided by these terms of reference.

REPORTING AND SUPERVISION

• The Program Officer will directly work in collaboration with the EHP Program officers and have a dotted line to the EHP Global lead, and report to the Equality Now Regional Coordinator – Africa
• The Program officer shall carry out her/his tasks and present required outputs to the Regional Coordinator (where relevant), on or before agreed deadlines.These may include, but not be limited to: briefs, research reports, updated checklists, press releases, comprehensive progress reports etc.

CANDIDATE PROFILE:
This position requires a lawyer of irreproachable integrity who is skilled in legal research and writing, qualitative analysis and report writing and well versed on Human rights law. Specifically, the ideal candidates must have the following qualifications and skills:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LL.B) from a recognized university with a minimum of 3 years of experience in the legal and human rights sectors in Kenya. Experience particularly in women’s rights -related legal research within the last 2 years is highly desirable. Prior working experience in a Secretariat setting is an added advantage.
2. Demonstrable ability to undertake research and provide legal opinions/advice (orally and in writing).
3. Strong legal research, IT and analytical skills and a good attitude to learning and working in a busy public service environment.
4. Working knowledge of the Kenyan legal framework generally and the Human rights infrastructure in particular.
5. High levels of integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
6. Flexible and resourceful individual who has the ability to effectively juggle multiple concurrent assignments.
7. Ability to work independently, to manage time effectively, prioritizing tasks and work within deadlines. Program management experience is an added advantage 
8. Ability to work with minimum supervision.
9. Ability to work under pressure.
10. Excellent communication skills. 
11. Well-developed team membership skills including maintaining positive attitude hence contributing to team morale.