Job Description
NOTE: The content of this job description sets out to define the major areas of responsibility present in the job at the time that the document was drawn up. The content of the actual job could include ad hoc tasks not present in this document and the job description will grow and change according to the organizational needs as the organization develops. This document will be reviewed on a regular basis and particularly during each performance appraisal process with the job holder.
Job Title: Programme Coordinator: Support Facility for CSO Engagement with Pan African Institutions
Unit: Regional Poverty Observatory
Grade: C4 (or at ED's discretion for start-up)
Reporting To: Head of Programmes
Number of Subordinates: None
Travel Required: Yes
Overall Purpose Of Job:
To implement the business plan on the setting up of a support facility to facilitate the engagement of African civil society organizations with Inter-Governmental Institutions (IGIs) in order to contribute to strengthening governance and securing economic development in Africa. This will involve strengthening the coordination and capacity development of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), facilitating interface between civil society organizations and Inter-Governmental Institutions (IGIs), and monitoring and evaluation.
Dimensions:
Tasks require complex strategic decision-making, analytical understanding, co-ordination and project management to drive the establishment and implementation of the Midrand Civil Society Support facility. The job requires recognizable and demonstrable experience and a high level of expertise in civil society engagement at regional and national levels as well as engagement with inter-governmental officials including Members of Parliament. Example: Programme Coordinator: Poverty Reduction Strategies (more than 5 years experience in a similar position in inter-governmental organizations)
Purpose:
Working in close cooperation with the head of programmes, responsible to initiate, develop, coordinate, and manage the establishment and implementation of the civil society support facility for engagement with Pan African Institutions. This will include work in the following areas:
Conceptualizing key strategic actions within the work related to the Midrand CSO facility programme for the Trust to focus on;
Ensuring that objectives and deadlines in programme implementation are met;
Formulating specific projects and managing the implementation of the projects within clear time frames;
Identifying and developing strategic partnerships for the implementation of the CSO Midrand facility work;
Assessing the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the programme implementation and ensuring that recommendations for improvement are implemented;
Ensuring that knowledge developed and the programme initiatives are documented for purposes of communication and learning;
Ensuring the regular contribution into the publication of new knowledge products generated through the CSO Midrand facility work;
Contribution to the production of draft reports on the programme implementation to governing structures, donors, partners, and the public;
Organizational representation at appropriate level as and when required;
Contributing to fundraising for programme implementation;
Risk mitigation in relation to the intended and unintended consequences of programme implementation; and
Efficient management of the budget for the civil society facility.
Key Performance Areas:
Information-gathering, dissemination and awareness-raising
Gather information and latest developments regarding the Pan African Parliament (PAP), the New
Facilitate a platform for analytical work and learning of experiences and provide information on key processes and decisions in the IGIs, contribute to the agenda-building processes in the IGIs in consultation with CSOs; and solicit inputs from CSOs on key debates and policy formulation exercises in the IGIs;
Work in collaboration with regional apex organizations and their constituencies, to secure wide national dissemination of information on PAP and NEPAD;
Maintain strong liaison with media regarding the activities of the IGIs;
Maintain a bulletin board/calendar of key events of IGIs as an important tool around which the CSOs could be mobilized for their specific roles.
Facilitation of Engagement
Inform appropriate and relevant CSOs regarding their potential role in some of the activities of the IGIs or upon request of IGIs to enable CSOs make technical contributions, gathering information and providing factual reports.
Facilitate the participation of a broad array of CSOs, including social movements, to engage with and participate in critical issues and processes of the IGIs;
Organize dialogue sessions between regional CSOs and relevant structures of the Pan African institutions based in Midrand. Programme Quality and Impact
Ensure regular documentation, measurement, and assessment of the impact that the Trust's programmes are making;
Generate documented learning from programme implementation for further programme development.
Documentation of Learning and Impact
Develop a monitoring and evaluation tool for documenting the extent to which African civil society and CSOs are truly participating and influencing the IGIs
Annually report on numbers and depth of engagement of CSOs with IGIs;
Annually report on the performance of IGIs to track how IGIs are meeting their declared intentions and commitments and being of benefit to the people.
Develop mechanisms and practices to ensure the ongoing flow and development of appropriate knowledge with regards to the CSO engagement;
Ensure that the knowledge resources are made available to stakeholders in a form that is accessible and useful to them.
Communication and Reporting
Working with the head of programmes to prepare and present reports on the programme and related projects as may be required for donors, stakeholders, the public, trustees, and internal team members; and
Support the Trust's communications team to effectively and accurately communicate the programme interventions of the Trust and the difference that the Trust's programmes make.
Risk Mitigation
Alert the head of programmes to key emerging risk areas;
Make input to improve risk mitigation strategies;
Actively participate in crisis management activities as and when required.
Financial Management
Manage the programme budget for the civil society engagement intervention and ensure that financial management and other procedures are effectively implemented throughout programme implementation.
Behavioral Competencies:
Strategic thinker
Self motivated
Quick to assimilate new information and eager to learn
Superior communicator (verbal and written)
Excellent planning and organizing skills
High level of integrity
Assertive
Ability to work in multiple teams across the organization (line management and matrix teams)
Attention to detail
Technical Competencies:
High level of multi-disciplinary technical knowledge relating to poverty reduction, regional integration, civil society, and policy making at a regional level in southern Africa and beyond
Highly developed conceptual ability to analyze information for complex strategic decision-making
High level programme development and implementation skills
Proficiency in identifying and establishing strategic relationships with multiple and diverse stakeholders
Advanced networking and influencing skills
Ability to evaluate indicators of programme quality against the mission, purpose, and strategies of the organization
Ability to prioritize tasks in relation to risk management and strategic importance
Ability to represent the identity and interests of the organization at appropriate levels
Highly developed report writing skills
Strong presentation skills
Competency in French and/or Portuguese is an added advantage
Academic Requirements:
Relevant degree and a minimum of 5 years relevant experience in a similar position, preferably in an inter-governmental organization
Please note that the content of this job description sets out to define the major areas of responsibility present in the job at the time that the document was drawn up. The content of the actual job could include ad hoc tasks not present in this document and the job description will grow and change according to the organizational needs as the organization develops. This document will be reviewed on a regular basis and particularly during each performance appraisal process with the job holder.
