Work at Sonke

Regional Campaigns and Advocacy Specialist

About Sonke 

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 citizens’ 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 contributing to social justice and the elimination of poverty. (http://www.genderjustice.org.za/). Sonke is the Secretariat of the MenEngage Africa Alliance (https://menengageafrica.org/), a network of 22 countries and over 500 civil society organisations working collaboratively for gender justice.

About this position

The Regional Campaigns and Advocacy Specialist will be reporting to the Regional Programmes Co-unit manager, as part of the Regional Programmes and Networks Unit-RPN, supporting the MenEngage Africa -MEA movement. The Regional Campaigns and Advocacy Specialist will help develop and support the implementation of the MEA campaigns and advocacy strategy and priorities, facilitate Movement-wide strategic advocacy engagement, including planning and coordinating effective engagement in key inter-governmental processes. S/he is responsible for providing technical support and leadership to MEA on campaign areas, advocacy, support and leading MEA and partners in influencing the implementation of relevant international, regional, and national level frameworks for the protection of women and girls’ rights, across the MEA thematic areas.

Key technical areas under the leadership of this role include joint evidence-based advocacy on the MEA campaigns, strengthening the capacities of MEA partners and supporting their advocacy initiatives and actions, networking and collaboration with relevant stakeholders and networks/alliances/working groups at local, national, regional, and international level and introducing social accountability mechanisms.

Key duties

1. MenEngage Africa (MEA) Campaigns

  • Through a co-creation process, design, lead the development and or implementation of a regional campaign strategy on work in tandem with the regional strategic plan.
  • Support MEA partners in the implementation of the MEA campaigns at national level.
  • In collaboration with the communications unit, coordinate the development of campaign material and tools to support campaign roll out and implementation.
  • Coordinate capacity strengthening to partners where necessary on areas related to MEA’s campaigns and advocacy.

2. Evidence-based advocacy

  • Lead the development and implementation of MEA’s Advocacy Strategy and campaigns.
  • Identify advocacy issues and lead/guide on evidence-based advocacy actions of MEA.
  • Conduct policy scans and analysis on engaging men and boys in various policy documents on thematic areas forming part of MEA’s work. 
  • Coordinate and support MEA partners in preparation and development of accountability reports such as shadow reports on regional and international instruments such as CEDAW, Maputo Protocol etc. 
  • Submission of conference abstracts highlighting the different campaign initiatives with MEA partners.
  • Work in alliance with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), particularly with the women Activists, advocacy groups, youths, LGBTQ+ movements, and other relevant partners to advocate on identified issues.
  • Develop and disseminate advocacy briefs, position papers, press statements, newsletter articles as required for different advocacy interventions.
  • Support advocacy for development of MEA National Action Plan (NAP) on UNSCR 1325 and GBV and support country partners in the monitoring of the implementation.
  • Introduce, support, and build on social accountability mechanisms like Score Cards for MEA countries to hold their leaders accountable on the enforcement of the relevant policies and frameworks.
  • Plan and implement advocacy related media campaigns including relevant capacity development for media, media activities such as investigative journalism, social media campaigns among others.
  • Periodic reporting in line with various platforms where Sonke/MEA have observer status.

3. Strengthening of capabilities of stakeholders

  • Communicate effectively with MEA partners to monitor the implementation of campaigns and advocacy strategy, identify project or capacity gaps and advocacy issues, identify/anticipate emerging and/or unanticipated risks and support partners in addressing these accordingly. 
  • Provide advice to partners in the development and implementation of their advocacy strategies, and in specific advocacy campaigns.
  • Identify priority human rights and gender justice initiatives and support their implementation.
  • Work closely with other specialists to ensure synergies with other result areas, to identify critical issues in and develop advocacy plan, generate evidence, and implement advocacy activities to address them.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

  • Work closely with RMEL unit to develop advocacy Impact Measurement tools and ensure regional advocacy activities are measured. 
  • With support from the RMEL team, train MEA partners in monitoring and evaluation of advocacy activities.
  • Contribute to generating and documenting lessons learnt and knowledge on all advocacy activities, writing policy briefs and papers.
  • Active contribution and participation in knowledge management processes and products, under the leadership of the Unit Manager.

5. Networking

  • In coordination with the Unit Manager, represent Sonke, MEA, and regional projects in relevant advocacy forums.
  • Collaborate with relevant Civil Society actors at national and international levels and networks on the various international instruments that guide our work.
  • Establish and maintain networks and alliances with national, regional and international advocacy/coalition organizations and participate in relevant working groups and networks.
  • Participate in relevant MEA advocacy platforms.
  • Coordinate the MEA Advocacy working group.

6. General

  • Participate in internal meetings per year.
  • Contribute to the development of funding proposals when required.
  • Submit monthly compliance reports.
  • Be available to assist with Advocacy work in other projects.
  • Ad hoc activities, as agreed with the supervisor.

Requirements

  • The ideal applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree in law, Human rights, or international relations. A postgraduate Diploma or Masters in this field is a MUST.
  • Practical experience in advancing advocacy initiatives on issues of GBV, SRHR, Child Rights, Peace and Security and women’s rights.
  • Experience in capacity development on advocacy processes and tools, supporting remote-based policy advocacy strategies development, including providing technical guidance. Working knowledge of existing regional policy work and research being done in Africa will be an advantage.  
  • Excellent teamwork, networking, communication, and collaboration skills with a wide range of actors, both within the Sonke, MEA and International networks, including MenEngage Global and other actors on several deliverables.
  • Experience/ knowledge of global advocacy, international law, human rights, international development and relevant humanitarian frame works, human rights, preferably in Africa.
  • Ability to network, build relationships and establish collaboration with different partners, agencies local and international networks.
  • Ability to link with community activists and social movements and experience/ understanding of masculinities transformation strategies.
  • Strong commitment to Gender Equity and Diversity (GED).
  • Strong interpersonal communication and facilitation skills.
  • Knowledge of Monitoring and Evaluation including report writing, documentation and presentation.
  • Understanding of theoretical and practical applications of working with men and boys, masculinities transformation for gender equality.
  • Demonstrated experience with various accountability processes, including Universal Periodic Review (UPR), peer review mechanisms & country reports. Prior experience in conducting policy advocacy with one or more regional bodies is an advantage.

Skills required

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and discretion. 
  • Demonstrated leadership, team working and coordinating skills.
  • Ability to self-start, self-organise and work independently when required.
  • Ability to work across a very wide range of actors.    
  • General management and judgement/decision-making skills. 
  • Excellent written and oral skills.
  • Excellent analytical skills and a proactive approach.

Application Process

  • Interested applicants should submit their CV, a motivational letter that details your experience, and the contact details of three referees via email to Sonke’s Human Resource Unit at hiring@genderjustice.org.za. closing date 21 April 2023.
  • For non-South Africans, 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. 
  • Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us by 31/05/2023, please consider your application unsuccessful. 
  • The organisation reserves the right not to make an appointment. 

Location

Johannesburg or Cape Town or Regional

Salary

R552 000 per annum

Closing Date

21 April 2023