Project Coordinator - Participatory Governance Programme (JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA)
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is one of the leading and most diverse international civil society networks, with members and partners in more than 100 countries and a staff of 40 people from over 20 countries.
It implements a range of programmatic activities focusing on strengthening civil society and its role in governance and development worldwide.
CIVICUS is recruiting for a Participatory Governance Project Coordinator to lead a multi-country project in Africa involving a range of country-level and international partners.
The project seeks to enhance the capacity of citizens and their organisations to make use of evidence-based participatory approaches in engaging with governments to promote greater transparency, responsiveness and accountability.
Besides contributing to project design and providing technical assistance in participatory governance to country-level partners, the incumbent will be responsible for project administration, including budget and reporting; supporting country-level partners in networking and institutional development, and organising regional and global learning events.
Specific tasks and responsibilities include the following:
Take the lead in coordinating the overall project activities;
In conjunction with key partners, develop operational plans for the project based on the overall project strategy;
Provide technical support to country-level partners in capacity; development for participatory governance, establishing and maintaining effective national networks and convening participatory governance skills-building events;
Facilitate the involvement of country-level networks in a global network of practitioners;
Organise regional and global learning events;
Contribute to the identification, analysis and dissemination of participatory governance practices around the world;
Oversee the project expenditures and budget and take the lead in project reporting.
Required qualifications and skills:
Proven track record of at least three years working experience in participatory governance;
Commitment to principles of participatory governance;
Proven track record in coordinating initiatives, networks or projects;
Excellent organisational, analytical, and management skills;
Experience with budgeting and financial reporting;
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (skills in French and /or Portuguese are an added advantage);
Experience working in Africa and knowledge of African civil society;
A university degree in an appropriate discipline of the social sciences; advanced degree preferred. Other desirable skills:
In-depth knowledge of a variety of participatory governance methods and tools;
Experience in conducting training;
Experience in institutional development or capacity-building;
The desire and ability to work in a dynamic and multi-cultural civil society organization;
Extensive experience in project management, preferably to include events management;
Strong ability to develop plans and strategies and to work toward their realization and improvement under demanding performance schedules.Start date: 1 November 2008
Duration: initially a 12 month contract will be offered.
Submit a cover letter, a detailed CV and the contact details of 3 referees to humanresources [at] civicus.org by Monday 15 September 2008.
Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.
