World Alliance for Citizen Participation

CIVICUS is an international civil society movement with members in over one hundred countries. CIVICUS works with its members and a rapidly growing network of partners at the national and global levels to ensure that civil society organizations enjoy the rights to organize, speak freely and to promote the common good at all levels. CIVICUS facilitates activities to nurture the founding, growth, protection and
resourcing of citizen action worldwide and especially where participatory democracy, freedom of association and expression, and other enabling conditions for civil society are threatened. Our work has developed greater urgency in the wake of current global events and we are entering a new phase of expansion. From early 2002, the operations of CIVICUS will be primarily based in Johannesburg, with
offices in Washington, DC and London.

CIVICUS is recruiting for the following 3 positions, all of which are based in Johannesburg, South Africa:

1. Communications and Research Associate
2. Executive Secretary
3. Professional Assistant

1. The Communications and Research Associate

The Research Associate reports to CIVICUS Secretary General/CEO and, and works in close cooperation with that officer, the Director of Communications and other CIVICUS programme staff. The incumbent is responsible for designing and producing CIVICUS research documents and materials, conducting appropriate research related to
various CIVICUS programmes, contributing substantively to the production of CIVICUS’ publications, and supporting research-related aspects of CIVICUS projects. The Research Associate supports the Secretary-General/CEO by providing relevant research information for incorporation in speeches, publications, media releases, public statements etc.

Specific Tasks:
- Supporting the Secretary-General/CEO in producing occasional papers, monographs and other publications, as assigned. This entails writing and/or editing and managing the production process
- Assisting Communications team in developing substantive content for CIVICUS’ weekly electronic newsletter e- civicus
- Contributing, as appropriate, to the drafting and editing of the CIVICUS periodical Civicus World
- Researching and writing reports on issues of specific interest to CIVICUS’ programme development, or on issues related to the larger civil society
- Helping prepare speeches for the Secretary-General and other CIVICUS staff
- Writing articles, prefaces, media statements, and other communications in coordination with, or on behalf of the Secretary-General and other Directors
- Providing support for particular programme-related aspects of the Secretary-General’s work
- Providing research and editorial support to the website management team, and other CIVICUS staff as and when required

The ideal candidate will have:

- Exceptional skills in written and oral communication in English, and at least one other major international language
- A sound understanding of the international civil society community,
international politics, and current social and economic issues on the international agenda
- At least 3 years of prior research experience (academic or non-
academic). Ease with various research methods, including conducting oral and written interviews, and researching electronic and print sources
- Sound analytical and conceptual skills
- Relevant work or volunteer experience in other local/national/international non-governmental or inter- governmental organizations
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
- The capacity to operate well under pressure and against deadlines
- High level of energy
- Appreciation for the values espoused by CIVICUS and the larger transnational civil society community.

2. Professional Assistant

The Professional Assistant also reports directly to the Secretary General/CEO and forms part of the core support team to this senior function. The PA will work in close contact with both the Executive Secretary as well as the Communications and Research Associate.

The PA will be responsible for providing professional support to the Secretary General/CEO, and will act as his primary link both within and beyond the organization will ensure continuity and consistency in day-to-day representations to various audiences by working especially closely with the Offices of the Chief Operating Officer and the management team; and support the Secretary General in maintaining effective relations with the Board of Directors.

Specific Tasks:

· responding to the CEO’s email and correspondence on a daily basis, bringing urgent matters to the attention of the CEO.
· Assisting in the preparation of the CEO’s itinerary and the necessary documentation and material to be presented by the CEO
· Liaising with Civicus members and other stakeholders on behalf of the CEO
· Responding and researching queries on behalf of the CEO and the members
· Drafting high level correspondence on behalf of the CEO
· Responding to telephone calls and attending meetings on behalf of the CEO or his representatives

The ideal candidate will have:-

· Exceptional skills in written and oral communication in English, and at least one other major international language
· A basic understanding of the international civil society community, international politics, and current social and economic issues on the international agenda
· Good organizational skills
· A Degree in international relations or politics or equivalent
· Good interpersonal skills
· Ability to work well under pressure and to tight deadlines
· High level of energy
· Appreciation for the values espoused by CIVICUS and the larger transnational civil society community

3. Executive Assistant

The Executive Assistant will support CIVICUS’ Secretary General/CEO and provide administrative and office management assistance for the CIVICUS secretariat. Reporting directly to the Secretary General, the Executive Assistant will ensure that the Secretary General’s fast-paced, global schedule is properly coordinated and managed.

Specifically, the incumbent will organize the Secretary General’s correspondence; serve as day- to-day liaison for the Secretary General with the Board, other CIVICUS officers and offices and the public.

The successful candidate will have:

· At least three years of experience in a related position
· Previous experience in working for an international organization
· Excellent written English skills
· Knowledge of another international language
· Good interpersonal and telephone skills
· Strong skills across the current range of office support technologies (word processing, e-mail and web management, etc.)
The ability to plan, think ahead, identify next steps, and meet deadlines and objectives
- Highlevels of energy and conceptual thinking;
- Experienceworking in culturally diverse, fast paced environment;
- Ability to work effective both independently and as part of a team; and
- A demonstrated interest in, ideally experience in, the work of nonprofit organizations in general and international NGOs in particular

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and a CV to:-
Lisa Lazarus, [email protected]

CIVICUS postal address
5TH Floor, Braamfontein Centre
23 Jorissen Street
Braamfontein, Johannesburg
South Africa
CIVICUS Fax no: 27 11 403 12 17

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 19th March