Kenya: Program Officer

Organization: Freedom House

Country: Kenya

Closing date: 13 Jan 2016

Freedom House promotes the spread of freedom and democracy around the world through research, advocacy, and programs that support frontline activists. We are a leader in identifying threats to freedom through our highly regarded analytic reports, including Freedom in the World, Freedom of the Press, Freedom on the Net,*and*Nations in Transit. With 13 field offices and two U.S. offices, we support the right of every individual to be free.

Position Summary

Freedom House is recruiting a Program Officer for the ‘Expanding civic Space in Ethiopia’ program that seeks to support human rights defenders and civil society to develop strategies, coordinate their activities, engage the government and reach out to citizens on wide ranging themes of democracy and governance. The Program Officer will be responsible for conducting an ongoing assessment of civil society landscape and outreach to human rights defenders, journalists, and other governmental and non-governmental actors working on human rights and democracy promotion. This position is based in Nairobi and reports to the Senior Program Manager for Africa.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor"s degree; Master’s degree preferred – in human rights, political science, law or other social sciences;


• A minimum of three years’ experience in human rights advocacy and engagement with human rights activists and journalists;


• Two years of technical experience in dealing with multiple stakeholders including the media, judiciary, CSOs, and youth activists in a developing country;


• Strong interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with local partners, government officials, media houses, as well as in-country and foreign experts;


• Demonstrated experience in developing activity work plans, budgets, implementing programmatic activities, and providing short-term technical assistance;


• Strong knowledge of human rights principles and mechanisms, and democracy promotion;


• Strong ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing;


• Ability to use productivity software such as MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint; and Microsoft Excel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct periodic assessment on the political situation, the operational space for civil society and the media and provide reports on significance developments;


• Conduct regular outreach to civil society in Addis Ababa and regional towns in order to identify needs, opportunities for engagement and initiatives to be supported by Freedom House;


• Assist in the facilitation of trainings, workshops, roundtables and other capacity building events supported by Freedom House;


• In collaboration with the Ethiopia Program Officer, provide guidance to civil society in their efforts to form a civil society reference group and develop engagement strategies;


• Facilitate meetings with civil society representatives and other partners for visiting Freedom House staff;


• Maintain weekly touch in and bi-weekly backstopping call with Freedom House D.C.;


• In collaboration with the Ethiopia Program Officer, design advocacy initiatives to support freedom of expression and conducive civic space in Ethiopia;


• Monitor and evaluate processes, and write program reports to ensure completion of program objectives;


• Required to travel regularly to Addis Ababa and occasionally to regional states and to the U.S.;


• Other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting with a low level of noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer: This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder may differ from those outlined in the job description and that other duties, as assigned, may be part of the job. Freedom House may add, change, or remove essential and other duties at any time.

How to apply:

Qualified and Interested Applicants

We invite qualified candidates to complete an online application and submit a resume, and cover letter,**with salary history and desired salary.**

https://chc.tbe.taleo.net/chc05/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=FREEHOUS&cws=1&rid=217

FOR MOBILE USERS ONLY:

https://chc.tbe.taleo.net/chc05/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=FREEHOUS&cws=39&rid=217

Candidate cover letters should specifically address how their previous experience relates to the duties and qualifications listed above.

Only candidates who respond to these as well as the salary requirements will be considered for the position.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

This vacancy is open to those candidates with relevant permits to work in Kenya.

No relocation costs will be covered by Freedom House.

EOE M/F/D/V