Kenya: Grants Program Officer for Africa

Grants Program Officer for Africa
Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights – Africa
Nairobi, Kenya

Organization Background

The Urgent Action Fund (UAF) is an international foundation that promotes the human rights of women and girls through a global program of rapid response grant making, and by encouraging or creating collaborative projects to support women in situations of violent conflict or crisis. Since 1998 UAF has made grants to support strategic interventions by women activists in situations of violent conflict, for potentially precedent-setting legal or legislative action, and to protect women human rights defenders. It is the UAF focus on strategic interventions, and its ability to respond to urgent requests within 72 hours that makes the UAF grants program unique.

UAF-Africa was established in Nairobi, Kenya in 2001 to conduct research and capacity building programs that promote women’s roles in peace building, conflict resolution and post conflict reconstruction. During 2004, UAF-Africa will begin to assume responsibility for the Fund’s grant making activities in Africa.

Grants Program Officer for Africa
Position Description

Urgent Action Fund – Africa is accepting applications for a full-time, salaried Program Officer with a focus on grant making in Africa. The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya. The Program Officer will work with the US-based Program Team in reviewing and managing correspondence from African organizations that request support from the Urgent Action Fund. The Program Officer will report to the Director of UAF-Africa and will supervise a Program Associate.

Primary Responsibilities

The Program Officer manages the portfolio of grants for the Urgent Action Fund in Africa. S/he works as part of a global team to review, manage, and prioritize requests from organizations seeking funding from the foundation. Primary grant making responsibilities include:

♣reviewing incoming proposals from African groups
♣corresponding with appropriate groups to gather further information
♣drafting and reviewing decline letters
♣seeking opinions and working with formal and informal advisors on grant proposals
♣preparing written summary recommendations to the Board of Directors
♣overseeing all follow-up (payments, contracts, final reports) with groups that have received grants
♣preparing reports and analyses of grantmaking activities of UAF-Africa
♣oversee the management of a grants program database
♣coordinate regular communication with US grants program team

Additional responsibilities include:
♣representing UAF-Africa at public events
♣coordinating linking opportunities between grantees and donors
♣travel to meet with grantees and/or to develop program initiatives
♣working on evaluation and philanthropic education.

Qualifications

This position requires someone who is a team player with a deep commitment to and knowledge of women's human rights. In-depth knowledge and understanding of the African women’s movement, peace and conflict concerns on the continent and ability to network, excellent writing and communications skills, superb organizational skills, and ability to prioritize under pressure are required. The candidate must be comfortable and experienced working with international board members, staff, and applicants from countries throughout Africa. This requires sensitivity, ease in interpersonal communications, and a critical understanding of international development and the issues facing women worldwide. Candidates must be able to work independently, manage several tasks simultaneously and should be flexible and willing to assume a range of unanticipated assignments.

Ideal candidates must possess a master's degree in a relevant field and have three-five years relevant work experience. Candidates must possess excellent knowledge of computers, including skills in Microsoft Word, Filemaker Pro and e-mail applications. French and English language proficiency are required. Swahili would be an added advantage.

Start Date: May 1, 2004
Compensation: Competitive salary plus excellent benefits

Application Process

Applications and all supporting documents must be postmarked by February 15, 2004. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements including knowledge of international women's rights issues, language, and start date availability. Applicants who are unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Application Format:
Applications may be submitted by surface mail or by e-mail. Each application package should include the following:

♣cover letter with the applicant's current contact information
♣resume (including detailed work experience, education/degrees, references with complete contact information)
♣writing samples in French and English (of no more than 3 typed pages each)
All applications and supporting documents should be sent to:

The Director,
Urgent Action Fund - Africa
PO Box 60389-00200
Nairobi, Kenya
[email][email protected]
NO PHONE INQUIRIES PLEASE.