Programme Officer – Digital Rights and Policy (Nairobi) at Article 19

Responsible to: Senior Programme Officer of Media and Protection

Key relationships: Programme Officers

Contract: 1 year (renewable)

ROLE SUMMARY

The Programme Officer of Digital Rights and Policy implements and coordinates digitally-oriented projects at ARTICLE 19 as well as leads the organization in the area of digital freedom of expression and freedom of information.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the implementation of impactful, digitally-oriented projects at the ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa regional office to expand leadership in the fields of freedom of expression and information;
• Serve as the primary cross-organization focal point for developing and coordinate ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa regional office’s programmatic digital work;
• Represent the ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa regional office in regional and international fora to solidify our leadership in the areas of digital freedom of expression and information; 
• Scan (continually) the external environment and maintain a broad network with potential partners to identify project opportunities to expand the realization of the rights to freedom of expression and information;
• Working with other programmatic and thematic leads to develop and implement programmatic activities in order to enhance program/thematic engagement;
• Exploring the intersection between law, policy and technology and look for opportunities to include a rights-based perspective in policy and legislative FOE, privacy, access, digital security and business and human rights discussions, in collaboration with ARTICLE 19 International Office’s law programme;
• Providing technical expertise and knowledge of digital fora in support of the ARTICLE 19’s work on human rights and digital law, policy and principles;
• Collaborating with the communications team to provide advice and support as requested in regards to campaigning (social media) utilizing digital technologies;
• Collaborating with the finance team, to provide advice and support as requested in relation to the digital program’s administrative and finance affairs;
• Securing resources that will support the programmatic work in this area. 

Other: 

•  Undertake other duties commensurate with the role as may reasonably be assigned by the Regional Director.
• Ensure maintenance and development of media and protection programme files, and contribute to the development of relevant information systems to improve institutional memory and learning. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL:

Education:

• Bachelors’ Degree level or equivalent with post-graduate qualification in human rights, law, African studies, international relations, political science, media, communication, or other relevant field being an added advantage;

Experience:  

• At least 3 years’ experience in working with digital communications administration work in the human rights sector; 
• Experience of working with partner organizations;
• Experience of working in a cross-cultural environment.

Knowledge: 

• Familiarity with human rights, freedom of expression and/or democratization issues in Eastern Africa; 
• Familiarity with international and regional mechanisms for promoting and protecting human rights;
• Knowledge of politics and societies in Eastern Africa. 

Other requirements:

• Commitment to ARTICLE 19’s values and objectives;
• Commitment to equal opportunities;
• Ability to travel extensively.                                  

The incumbent should also possess the following skills:

• Able to operate on own initiative with demonstrable time-management skills;
• Excellent written and spoken English and Kiswahili;
• Analytical and strategic planning skills;
• Excellent project management and administration skills;
• Excellent research and report writing skills
• Excellent writing and presentation and advocacy skills;
• Excellent communication skills and sensitivity in working with people from various cultural and social backgrounds;
• Excellent organizational and logistical skills;
• Excellent skills in word-processing and working with spreadsheets;
• Familiarity with the use of e-mail and the internet;
• Ability to work under pressure, with little administrative support and to meet strict deadlines.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of French;
• Experience of working in an NGO environment;
• Experience with civil society capacity-building, including training;
• Experience in the human rights advocacy field;
• Research experience; and
• Experience of writing/editing publications.