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 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 contributing to social justice and the elimination of poverty. (http://www.genderjustice.org.za/)
About this position
The Regional SRHR Specialist reports to the Regional Programmes and Networking Unit Manager and will be a crucial member who oversees the implementation of the MEA SRHR Strategy and support Sonke’s Regional and International programmatic activities specifically supporting Open Society Foundation Programmme, NORAD Program MenEngage Africa Alliance and other projects under the Regional Programmes Unit. The incumbent will contribute to building the knowledge of SRHR concepts across staff, lead project dissemination through a variety of mediums, including the SRHR Platform, knowledge hubs and peer-reviewed publications. The incumbent will coordinate SRHR efforts in partnership with MEA Country networks, provide technical assistance to MEA countries to strengthen regional and country responses on SRHR, and develop and disseminate knowledge products to further advance the evidence on SRHR in the region.
Key duties
Coordinate MenEngage Africa SRHR work
- Coordinate together with Regional SRHR Specialist the implementation of the regional SRHR strategy.
- Act as the convener of the Regional SRHR working group and will closely coordinate the implementation of SRHR Programmes with relevant focal persons from MEA countries.
- Oversee the development and dissemination of publications, including case-stories, event reports, news articles, blog-posts, etc in the area of SRHR together with the Regional SRHR Specialist, Regional SRHR Trainer, Regional Communications Specialist and the Regional M&E Coordinator.
- Organize a range of Community of Practice events and strategic global and regional consultations with key stakeholders in the SRHR field.
- Plan and implement regional level advocacy in key international policymaking and civil society spaces to support an enabling policy environment for the engagement of men and boys in SRHR together with the Regional Advocacy Specialist.
- Helps create and document knowledge about current and emerging sexual and reproductive health and youth issues, by analysing programme, projects, strategies, approaches and ongoing experience for lessons learned, best practices, and shares with management for use in knowledge sharing and planning future strategies.
- Coordinate and provide assurance over the development and maintenance of project plans.
- Coordinate, manage and track project milestones and implementation of activities as indicated in the work plan and alert management of any deviations from project plans.
- Monitor and evaluate performance of Open Society and NORAD project sub-grantee
- Support the development of concept notes, work plans, budgets and other related activities within the program.
Capacity development
- Provide capacity development and ongoing coaching to project staff and MEA Country Networks and implementing partners.
- Contribute to regular project narrative reports, ensuring high quality data and learnings are available to complete reports on time.
- In collaboration with the project team and stakeholders compile and document lessons learned and best practices of SRHR project.
- Design and implement dissemination plan to share knowledge and findings with relevant stakeholders, including implementing partner organizations, government, donor agency, and direct beneficiaries specifically adolescent girls and boys etc.
Strategic relationship building
- Coordinate and build strong working relationships and strategic partnerships with MenEngage Regional Networks and Coordinators, Alliance members and partners, and other key stakeholders including Women’s Rights and SRHR activists and organizations, UN agencies, and relevant authorities.
- invitation and meaningful involvement of key stakeholders to country level or regional MEA activities.
- Participate in activities and events hosted by agreed strategic partner organisations at regional and national level.
- Build collaborative relationships between SRHR activities with the broader
- Look for synergies among partners and push for effective interactions (partner meetings, national strategy sessions and workshops, county-level work, etc.)
Resource mobilisation
- Actively participate in developing funding proposals for MEA SRHR programmatic work.
- Support MEA country networks in developing resource mobilization proposals for SRHR.
- Research funding opportunities supporting the MEA SRHR thematic areas as these opportunities pursued by Sonke or shared with MEA countries and supported in pursuing them.
- Assists advocacy and resource mobilization efforts by preparing relevant documentation, i.e., project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in donor meetings and public information events.
Budgeting
- Contribute to the development of the focus country work plans and budgets with a focus on SRHR.
- Strategically develop budgets for SRHR events for example meetings, trainings etc, ensuring they are within Sonke policies and donor requirements.
General
- Support a vibrant presence on MenEngage Africa Alliance social media platforms and amplify the information and voices of the membership and partners.
- Co-organize the planning and logistics for meetings and events in the scope of SRHR and any other projects led by the regional team.
- Actively participate in the implementation of MEA’s strategic development, including through steering committee meetings, RPU team meetings, strategic planning processes, development, and implementation of annual workplans plans and reports.
- Other duties and assistance to team members, as assigned by the manager.
- Provide technical input to the Policy, Advocacy and Research Unit for key relevant meetings and communications.
- Undertake other reasonable tasks as requested.
Requirements
- Recognised university degree in the relevant subject area; postgraduate qualification an advantage.
- 5 years of work experience in a relevant field; experience in the African region preferred.
- 5 years of project management experience.
- Proven skills in grants management are a benefit.
- Ability to work effectively with a diverse team.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications, i.e. Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and custom online applications.
- Fluent in English and a second language would be an advantage.
- Excellent communication skills both oral and written.
- Possess a valid passport and willing to travel as required 30-40% of the time.
- Recognised commitment to promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, human rights and social justice.
- Demonstrating consistency in upholding and promoting the principles of Sonke and MenEngage network www.menengage.org
- Familiarity with gender transformative work with men and boys, including primary social change strategies, key organisations and networks in the region, key research findings and the associated evidence base for the work an advantage.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff.
- Ability to work independently, multitask and take initiative;
- Demonstrated technical expertise in such areas as project management, budget and resource management; donor reporting.
- Effective under pressure and results-oriented.
- Good presentation and facilitation skills.
Application Process
- Interested applicants should submit their CV, a motivational letter that details your experience, the contact details of three referees via email to Sonke’s Human Resource Unit at hiring@genderjustice.org.za. closing date 31 August 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.
- 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 30/09/2023, please consider your application unsuccessful.
- The organisation reserves the right not to make an appointment.
