Chief of Party

Founded in 2006, Sonke is a women’s rights organisation that is committed to feminist principles, using a rights-based and gender transformative approach to achieve human rights and gender justice. Our vision is a poverty-free world in which women, children, men and gender non-conforming individuals enjoy equitable, caring, healthy and happy relationships that contribute to the development of gender just and democratic societies. Sonke strengthens governments, civil society and citizen’s capacity to advance gender justice and women’s rights, prevent gender-based violence and reduce the spread of HIV and the impact of AIDS, and in this way contribute to social justice and the elimination of poverty.

About CSM STAND Consortium

In September 2021, Pact was awarded the five-year Civil Society and Media – Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM-STAND) for Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) program by USAID. The Regional Leader with Associates Award (LWA) aims to foster independent civic forces; enhance civic engagement; and build vibrant, resilient, and self-reliant civil society and media sectors that cultivate more pluralistic, democratic societies. To reach this goal, CSM-STAND designs and implements innovative and adaptive civil society and media programs, advances trans-regional learning, and develops next-generation, sustainable technical resources that positively influence wider practice within the civil society and media sectors. The CSM-STAND consortium is comprised of leading global, regional, and technical partners with extensive practical experience and knowledge of fundamental principles, key issues, current practices, and emerging trends in the DRG community.

About the position

In partnership with Pact under the CSM – STAND, Sonke Gender Justice is seeking to employ the Chief of Party (COP) to be based in Maseru/Lesotho on a two-year USAID Khutlo Activity. Khutlo aims to contribute to reducing stigma, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQI+ communities, as well as cishet women and girls, and strengthening the capacity of civil society to advocate for LGBTQI+ rights and provide inclusive quality gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, mitigation, and response services. This goal is underpinned by two mutually reinforcing objectives, namely,

1. To increase civil society coordination and capacities to apply behavioral science principles that engage and empower communities to reduce GBV against LGBTQI+ people and cishet women and girls and
2. To strengthen the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) to provide inclusive, high-quality GBV response services.

The COP will be responsible for technical leadership and the overall management and operations of the Khutlo Activity. As a seasoned development expert, with LGBTQI+ rights as a technical focus area, the COP will serve as the primary point of contact with USAID Lesotho and supervise high-quality project implementation, with a focus on achieving the project goals and USAID/Lesotho development objectives.

The COP will take a leadership role in coordination of all activities across all relevant parties including USAID, the Government of Lesotho, civil society organizations, key stakeholders, and implementing partners. The COP will also oversee all project staff and sub-partners for results-oriented planning, leadership, and coordination of project activities. This position is part of Sonke’s full management team and works closely with other senior managers at Sonke.

Specific responsibilities include

1. Management

• Ensure high-quality, results-oriented technical programming through hands-on guidance and support grounded in the project’s strategic objectives and approved annual workplans – with a specific focus on enhancing the objectives of the Khutlo Activity.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the USAID Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) on management and technical matters.
• Ensure compliance with USAID rules/regulations and Sonke processes. Supervise and provide strategic direction to Khutlo activity staff working on key project deliverables.
• Manage and coordinate the implementation of activities across project partners, ensuring successful integration of activities.

2. Technical Oversight

• Ensure that the project meets stated goals, outcomes, benchmarks, and reporting requirements and oversee complexity-aware monitoring, evaluation, and learning plan.
• Take a leadership role in coordination among USAID and key stakeholders, including partners, government stakeholders, civil society, and other USAID projects.
• Oversee the quality of research, monitoring, evaluation and learning activities for the Khutlo activity, ensuring that deliverables are met on time and in-line with existing targets.

3. Financial and Risk Management

• Ensure implementation of the project in line with budgeted resources and in compliance with USAID and Sonke policies.
• Oversee risk management and risk mitigation, including as it relates to safeguarding issues, for the Khutlo Activity, its staff, partners, and beneficiaries.

Qualifications and experience

• Advanced degree in gender, public health, developmental studies, or a related field. A Master’s degree would be an advantage.
• Skilled and experienced program manager, with at least 8 years in project implementation and management with an understanding of bilateral donor funding and technical knowledge and experience of USAID-funded programs in Lesotho and or neighbouring countries.
• Proven ability to facilitate effective processes and deliver results.
• The successful candidate will have technical expertise in the gender justice and human rights field related to the rights of sexual minorities.
• At least 7-10 years of experience in civil society, with a content focus on gender and LGBTQI+ rights and freedoms.
• The candidate should have the ability to work collaboratively and provide credible strategic guidance to colleagues with and without a direct supervisory relationship.
• Must be a persuasive communicator with excellent writing, editing and public speaking skills in English, preferably also in Sesotho.

Application Process

• Interested applicants should submit their CV, a motivational letter that details your experience, the contact details of three referees, to Sonke’s Human Resource Unit at hiring@genderjustice.org.za. closing date 20^th March 2023.
• For non-Citizens to Lesotho, it is the responsibility of the applicant to attain a work permit from the Department of Home Affairs, and employment will depend on a valid work permit being in place.
• Sonke is committed to racial and gender transformation and encourages previously disadvantaged individuals to apply.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us by 28^th April 2023, please consider your application unsuccessful.
• The organisation reserves the right not to make an appointment.