Africa Director - Crisis Action

Crisis Action is an independent, non-profit organisation that works with others to ensure civilians are protected both from and during armed conflict.

To achieve this aim Crisis Action works behind the scenes to catalyse, co-ordinate and support strategic coalition campaigns by our civil society partners. Our work enables more effective joint advocacy and campaigning on conflict by our partners, who include Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Oxfam, International Rescue Committee, the Elders and many others.

We aim to complement our partners’ existing work on conflict prevention, resolution and early warning by increasing their collective influence on foreign policy, especially as it affects specific country/regional conflicts. Crisis Action draws together existing strengths and capacities into effective joint action that has impact.

Crisis Action has offices in Cairo, London, Brussels, Paris, Berlin and New York.

We are now looking for a creative, effective and dynamic person to head up a new office in Nairobi, Kenya to lead our work towards the African Union.

Job Description

Principal roles
1. Building a diverse, flexible and innovative network in key East and West African states to campaign for the protection of civilians in armed conflict – you will position Crisis Action as the hub of campaigning on issues of armed conflict. You will achieve this by proactively recruiting diverse partners and by delivering high impact advocacy and campaigns. You will liaise with senior representatives from a wide range of potential partners and demonstrate to them the added value of working in coalition.

2. Political Analysis - Focusing on actual or potential conflicts of most concern to our partners, you will ensure that Crisis Action supplements their understanding of potential solutions by analyzing the policy positions of key governments within the African Union, particularly the Peace and Security Council and UN Security Council members. You will ensure that Crisis Action builds up in-depth and sophisticated understanding of the key governments’ position towards relevant conflicts, the results of which will be top quality advice to partners on advocacy demands, strategy and suggestions for action.

3. Advocacy and Media - A major area of your work will be working with our partner organizations to drive forward and develop advocacy and media work that mobilize the resources and influence of civil society to the greatest possible effect. This process will involve advising on strategy, proposing initiatives and then implementing diverse advocacy activities. These could include media work, liaising with senior officials, preparing reports and briefings and identifying and building relationships with potential allies inside and outside government.

4. Leading the development of Crisis Action in Africa– As Head of our Nairobi office, and a senior member of our international team, you will lead the development of the organization regionally, help support Crisis Action’s development globally and ensure Crisis Action engages seriously and constructively in the region. You will bring an ambitious entrepreneurial attitude with you and will be asked to assist with devising and implementing our fundraising plan, our organizational strategy and our vision.

5. Supporting our global work – With offices in Cairo, London, Brussels, Berlin, Paris and New York – Crisis Action will support the work of our partners campaigning for the protection of civilians on the international stage and increase the impact of joint work exponentially. You will be a core part of this team, jointly strategizing around regional and international policy and how to change it. You will also help us reach out to potential partners in countries where we don’t have a presence and seek to engage and support them.

Person specification
o The following are essential:
o Ability to work in Nairobi and travel in the region
o A proven track record in advocacy or lobbying towards the African Union
o Experience of media work with national and regional media
o Proven ability to analyse complex political issues and to define sophisticated strategies for achieving policy change.
o Excellent political judgement and instincts, especially with regard to foreign affairs.
o Knowledge of - and experience in - influencing government policy in the region.
o Expertise in working with the media, including ability to write articles, prepare media releases, contact journalists and promote stories.
o High level contacts in politics, the media and the voluntary sector.
o Ability to instill trust and confidence in partner organisations and colleagues from a variety of backgrounds.
o First-class interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to cultivate high-level contacts within governments, the media and the voluntary sector.
o Excellent writing skills, and clear competence in the use of research tools
o Ability to identify opportunities for influencing policy and the activities necessary to do so.
o The drive and initiative necessary to take ideas forward to fruition in a coalition setting.
o High levels of energy, enthusiasm and ambition.
o Resilience and an ability to cope with multiple internal and external demands.
o Commitment to Crisis Action’s aims.
o Willingness to take responsibility for and sometimes to delegate the administrative tasks associated with running a small organisation.
o Fluent written and spoken English

The following are desirable:

+ Fluency in French
+ Existing documentation to work in Nairobi
+ Knowledge of conflict issues, especially with regard to the role of the international community.
+ Excellent knowledge of the African Union and regional institutions
+ Understanding of the challenges involved in organising NGO coalition campaigns.

The following would be an added advantage

# Additional languages

Salary: Competitive salary, depending on experience
Starting date: As soon as possible
Responsible to: Executive Director of Crisis Action

How to apply

If you would like to apply for this position, please go to our website (www.crisisaction.org) and complete the application form. CVs may be attached but CVs alone will not be accepted.

The closing date for receipt of all applications is Thursday 14th January 2010 (close of business)
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Interviews are provisionally scheduled for the week of 18 January 2010.

Equal opportunities: Crisis Action values diversity and is committed to equal opportunities. All applicants for employment will receive equal treatment without discrimination on grounds of gender, ethnic origins, personal disability or sexual orientation.

Disabilities: We are committed to making every reasonable adjustment to the workplace or working arrangements so as to accommodate people with disabilities.