Job Title: Regional Director for Africa
Department: Global Legal Program, Center for
Reproductive Rights
The Center is
unmatched as a reproductive rights organization in its expertise on U.S.
constitutional law, comparative law and international human rights law.
The Center works across the globe on issues including access to life-saving obstetrics care, contraception, abortion services and comprehensive sexuality information, as well as the prevention of forced sterilization and female genital mutilation (FGM).
The Center works across the globe on issues including access to life-saving obstetrics care, contraception, abortion services and comprehensive sexuality information, as well as the prevention of forced sterilization and female genital mutilation (FGM).
It has brought
groundbreaking cases before national courts, U.N. committees and regional human
rights bodies. It has built the legal capacity of women's rights advocates in
over 50 countries.
The Center is governed by a 20-person Board of Directors and employs more than 100 professionals from Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Kenya, Korea, Nepal, Nigeria, the Philippines, Slovakia, Sweden and the U.S.
In addition to a headquarters in New York City, the Center has offices in: Washington D.C.; Bogotá, Colombia; Kathmandu, Nepal; Nairobi, Kenya; and Geneva, Switzerland. Its annual budget of more than $15 million is raised primarily from foundations and individuals.
The new Regional Director will be joining the Center at an exciting time for the institution and at a critical time for the reproductive rights movement globally.
The Center is governed by a 20-person Board of Directors and employs more than 100 professionals from Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Kenya, Korea, Nepal, Nigeria, the Philippines, Slovakia, Sweden and the U.S.
In addition to a headquarters in New York City, the Center has offices in: Washington D.C.; Bogotá, Colombia; Kathmandu, Nepal; Nairobi, Kenya; and Geneva, Switzerland. Its annual budget of more than $15 million is raised primarily from foundations and individuals.
The new Regional Director will be joining the Center at an exciting time for the institution and at a critical time for the reproductive rights movement globally.
As opponents of
women’s rights have increased their attacks on the legal and human rights
framework in Africa, the Center is fighting back with national, regional, and
international strategies embodied in a new strategic plan launched in early
2012.
The plan intensifies
our efforts to strengthen the legal protections for access to safe and legal
abortion, affordable contraception, the expansion of the reproductive rights of
adolescents, and the recognition that the prevention of maternal mortality is a
fundamental human rights issue.
To learn more about
the Center for Reproductive Rights, go towww.reproductiverights.org.
Position Summary and
Responsibilities: The Center is seeking
a seasoned strategic program and operations professional to oversee and develop
the work of the Africa Program.
The Regional Director
for Africa will be based in Nairobi and work under the supervision of the
Director of the Global Legal Program who is based in New York.
The Regional Director
will supervise a Regional Manager, Legal Adviser, and Office Manager in
Nairobi.
In addition,
s/he will manage a Legal Adviser and Legal Assistant in the US.
Specific
responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
- Manage
the Africa program, including all aspects of program planning and
implementation, financial management, and administrative oversight.
- Design
and develop the regional work plan, as it relates to focus countries in
the region and the UN, in accordance with the strategic plan.
- Oversee
and monitor successful implementation of the regional work plan, and
recommend changes to the plan as needed.
- Develop
and implement short and long-range advocacy and litigation strategy for
the Center's work in Africa.
- Identify
potential strategic litigation cases in collaboration with partner
organizations.
- Develop
factual records and pleadings, research and write legal memoranda, amicus
curiae and case briefs on transnational and international and regional
human rights law and claims for use in national and/or international and
regional fora.
- Provide
technical assistance to NGOs, government and parliamentary officials, and
other stakeholders on law reform processes at the national level and
produce relevant legal and advocacy materials.
- Support
the design and implementation of wider institutional and Global Program
priorities, as appropriate (e.g., coordinating or supporting an intra or
inter-departmental initiative).
- Develop
and implement annual regional program budget and monitor spending.
- Recruit,
train/mentor, supervise and evaluate staff working for the regional
program. Participate in institutional recruiting processes as needed.
- Develop
and maintain relationships with local, regional and international NGOs and
key stakeholders to advance implementation of the strategic plan.
- Support
other Center departments in institutional and regional fundraising, and
monitoring and evaluation efforts.
- Develop
pro bono partnerships and projects with law firms, law associations, and
law schools in the U.S. and in the region to leverage our program work.
- Represent
the Center externally on matters related to reproductive rights in the
region through public speaking and interaction with the media.
- Partner
with the Communications Department to effectively develop and implement
program communications strategy to increase support and visibility from
key audiences.
- International
travel is required.
Overall Candidate Requirements:
The ideal candidate
will have a proven track record of strong management, creative legal and
strategic thinking, and good judgment and excellent analytical
capabilities.
In addition, we are
seeking candidates with strong writing skills; the ability to work quickly and
effectively under pressure; the capacity to take initiative, prioritize, and
pay close attention to detail while juggling multiple tasks; strong
coordination skills; the ability to lead and manage a multinational team; the
ability to work effectively as part of the senior leadership team of the Global
Legal Program; and the capacity to build and maintain strong partnerships
within the Africa region.
Applicants must have:
Applicants must have:
- A law
degree and at least seven years of experience as a manager working on
legal or human rights strategies.
- Substantial
knowledge of the UN and the African regional systems; familiarity with
international and regional human rights law.
- Strong
commitment to the Center’s mission, purpose, and values.
- Ability
to develop and manage staff and operations in an international office
environment.
- Effective
public speaking skills, and excellent writing skills in English, are
required.
- Fluency
in another UN language is desirable.
Compensation: Commensurate with
experience. Excellent benefits.
To Apply: Send cover letter, résumé, and contact information for 3
references to: resumes@reprorights.org
Note: Applicants must indicate “Regional Director for Africa, their last name and code 158” as the subject of emailed applications. Cover letter, résumé, and contact information should be sent as attachments.
Note: Applicants must indicate “Regional Director for Africa, their last name and code 158” as the subject of emailed applications. Cover letter, résumé, and contact information should be sent as attachments.
The deadline for
submitting applications will be October 31st, 2012.
The Center for
Reproductive Rights is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive
hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff.
We strongly encourage
candidates from all groups and communities to apply.
