Position / Role Summary
To enhance the application and implementation of the Maputo Protocol, the Program Officer (PO) will support Equality Now’s work and advocacy for the full ratification, domestication, implementation, and accountability of the Maputo Protocol and other regional instruments.
Responsibilities
Working with various stakeholders including judiciaries, academia and law students, civil society organizations, and Regional Bodies and their Member States to enhance the awareness of and uptake of the Maputo Protocol as an advocacy tool for gender equality in Africa, including to:
Increase awareness and advocacy by law students and women’s rights advocates on the Maputo Protocol, contributing to progressive jurisprudence and advocacy for governments’ compliance with the Maputo Protocol
Enhance the capacity of legal practitioners and judicial officers to utilize the Maputo Protocol and related international and regional instruments in women’s and girls’ rights litigation and decisions
Enhance the capacity of civil society organizations to advocate for legislative reforms to give effect to judicial pronouncements on women’s rights including the right to abortion services, maternal health services, and access to sexual and reproductive health rights in Kenya
Support the coordination of Equality Now’s and SOAWR members’ engagement with the Africa Human Rights System and judicial mechanisms
Support strategic and public interest litigation including the identification and development of landmark and strategic cases for Equality Now’s support in Africa
Document and analyze the outcomes of litigation on the continent concerning the Maputo Protocol and other international treaties on women’s and girls’ rights.
Work with relevant departments of Regional Partners to influence ratification, domestication and enforcement of human rights regional instruments on women’s rights and gender equality
Coordinating and working closely with the SOAWR Coalition, of which Equality Now’s Africa Office is the Secretariat, as guided by the Senior Legal Advisor for Africa.
Ensuring clear and consistent communication and coordination with relevant SOAWR member representatives particularly in relation to working with regional bodies and their member states to advance the rights of women and girls.
Develop, implement, and monitor project work plans, budgets, and reports.
Support litigation projects and monitor
Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.
Legal Equality
Keeping abreast of human rights issues affecting women and girls in Africa, particularly regarding the above objective and focus areas
Researching and preparing evidence on discrimination for national and regional advocacy and lobbying activities in Africa
Establishing and maintaining contacts with organizations campaigning for the respect and promotion of women’s and human rights
Coordinating advocacy actions with Legal Equality’s partners
Coordinating and working closely with the Senior Legal Advisor for Africa and all other teams (particularly End Sexual Violence and End Harmful Practices teams).
Ensuring clear and consistent communication and coordination with relevant thematic Global Leads and the other campaign teams particularly in relation to regional emerging trends or opportunities in relation to their program goals
Contributing to the drafting of high-quality technical submissions to public institutions (e.g. on draft laws, policy, etc.) and human rights treaty bodies and mechanisms (e.g. UN CEDAW Committee, African Commission)
Contributing to the collection, collation and analysis of Equality Now’s monitoring and evaluation data to inform learning and action to end discrimination against women and girls and promote protections
Contributing to generating Equality Now actions and alerts on campaigns against violations of women’s rights in Africa, particularly as relevant to Equality Now’s Legal Equality work
Develop annual and quarterly milestones and document progress in the Campaign Tracker and relevant reports.
Contribute to the development of proposals and donor reports.
Support the SOAWR members in in-country ratification missions and domestication efforts of the Maputo Protocol.
Support SOAWR members and other CSOs in their efforts to advocate for lifting reservations on the Maputo Protocol
Media and Communications
Collaborate with Equality Now’s media and communications teams to provide content emerging from our work in Africa.
Other duties as reasonably requested
Participate in and contribute to Equality Now staff meetings, including relevant thematic group discussions
Supervision
Supervise interns and consultants when required
Team membership
Member of the Legal Equality team and the Rights of Women in Africa Campaign
KEY STAKEHOLDERS
The PO will work with and interface with various stakeholders including SOAWR members, CSOs, law students, academic institutions, African Union institutions and other inter-governmental agencies, governments, embassies and donors.
Key Competencies
Professionalism: Ability to prioritize work and be well organized in the execution and presentation of tasks; maintain good quality of work and consistency in this regard; exemplify a high degree of accountability for actions taken and not taken; work with minimum supervision; show commitment to the role and willingness to do more than what is expected; be courteous and willing to learn at every opportunity presented; seek clarity when unsure about expectations on delivery of work; ability to remain motivated; results-oriented and with the ability to work independently and take initiative.
Research, Analysis, and Writing: Knowledge and understanding of human rights law, especially as it relates to women and girls; a firm knowledge of the content and application of the Maputo Protocol is highly desirable; ability to conduct high-quality legal research and apply efficient research strategies; ability to analyze and evaluate large amounts of information and draw justified conclusions; excellent writing and referencing skills.
Communication: Fluency in spoken and written English and French (preferred); clarity in written and oral presentations; exercise of active listening; demonstration of openness in sharing information; communicating when necessary, for example, when experiencing challenges in meeting deadlines.
Interpersonal skills: Ability to resolve conflict; ability to take up additional tasks when required to do so; ability to work in a team and collaborate with other colleagues for the execution of specific tasks.
Organizational skills: Strong planning and organising skills and proven ability to steer and monitor progress against plans in order to deliver on set goals and results. Previous experience working within coalitions and consortia of organizations working on human rights and/or the rights of women and girls in Africa is desirable.
Academic And Professional Qualifications
Minimum bachelor’s degree in law, human rights, international relations, gender studies, social sciences, or a related field is required
Minimum of three (3) years’ work experience in the non-profit, NGO, community development sectors or related field
A strong grasp of the African human rights system, women and girls’ rights issues in Africa, continental dynamics, and their effects on the implementation of key treaties underpinning the rights of women and girls in Africa
Proven track record of knowledge and commitment – exhibited by coursework, writing, or work experience – to the rights of women and girls in Africa
Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage concurrent deadlines
Fluency in English (required) and French (preferred)
Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills
Strong communication, excellent interpersonal, and networking skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and strong technical literacy
Desirable
Budgeting and financial management
Connection to existing networks with feminist and women’s rights organizations in Africa
Experience engaging with the media in Africa
Successful convening of moot court competitions.
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