LGBTIQ+ Economic Development Lead at Hivos East Africa

• This role reports to the Global Program Manager of the Free to be Me program with a global scope including Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. This appointment is for an initial term of one year, renewable based on results and performance. This is a global role and can be based in any country where Hivos can legally employ staff.

Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the role include:

• Build, continuously update, and coordinate implementation of a joint strategic and action plan for LGBTIQ+ economic empowerment together with interested local, national and global members of the Free to be Me Alliance.
• Identify, design and coordinate global influencing products, processes and moments that will help to achieve the goals of the joint strategy (e.g. cross-country research or international events and lobbying efforts).
• Coordinate and nurture the economic rights advocacy community that Hivos established in 2023 through the Free to Thrive fellowship program.
• Support national-level efforts in 12 countries and link these efforts to international advocacy and influencing opportunities. This includes supporting, and helping to document, economic inclusion pilot projects in different countries.
• Set-out a larger, long-term perspective that is jointly owned by the movement, laying the foundation for the large-scale change needed. Contribute to the development of funding proposals for follow-up programs beyond 2025.
• Ensure regular communication and sharing among Free to Be Me partners involved in Outcome 4. Document stories of change and best practice both for advocacy purposes and for replication in future programming.
• Manage grants for economic development initiatives and work in liaison with other Program Officers in coordination of projects supported under the economic development pathway.

Requirements

• Post-graduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in international development.
• Understanding of locally-led economic empowerment and inclusion of marginalized groups, and proven ability to translate local experience into effective advocacy strategies to change the policies and practices of governments and/or companies.
• Proven track record in building and working with multi-country coalitions or networks in the Global South.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills in multi-cultural settings.
• Understanding of the intersectional nature of oppression, and ability to act as an authentic trusted ally to marginalized groups. Lived experience as an LGBTIQ+ person is an asset.
• Experience of designing and managing impactful advocacy “products” such as research and events.
• A team player with a high level of emotional intelligence, resilience, and maturity, and the confidence to be able to “lead from behind”. Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive progress in complex and uncertain contexts.
• Innovative and solution-driven strategist who can be both a thought-leader and a doer.