FGM Regional Communications And Advocacy Coordinator

Experienced FGM Regional Communications and Advocacy Coordinator sought for an international human rights organization working for the protection and promotion of the rights of women and girls worldwide. He/she will provide both leadership and support to advance the goals and implement the strategic vision of the ‘Global Ending FGM/C Secretariat’.

Deadline:        January 28, 2014

Location:         Nairobi, Kenya

Organization:  Equality Now

Experienced FGM Regional Communications and Advocacy Coordinator sought for an international human rights organisation working for the protection and promotion of the rights of women and girls worldwide. This is a full-time position based in Nairobi reporting to the Media Relations Manager and working closely with the FGM Programme Manager and the FGM thematic team. The Regional Communications and Advocacy Coordinator will provide both leadership and support to advance the goals and implement the strategic vision of the ‘Global Ending FGM/C Secretariat’, described below.

The Organisation
Equality Now fights for the protection and promotion of the human rights of women and girls around the world. Working with grassroots women’s and human rights organisations and individual activists, Equality Now documents violence and discrimination against women and mobilises international action to support efforts to stop these abuses. Our work is focused into three main programme areas: Discrimination in Law, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and Trafficking and we have a cross cutting focus on the right of Adolescent Girls through the AGLDF. We operate in the US, UK, and Africa, with a growing presence in the Middle East and expansion plans for Asia.

The Global Ending FGM/C Project 
The ‘Global Ending FGM/C Secretariat’ is a five year programme, starting in late January 2014. During a six month inception phase, detailed work plans will be developed for the remainder of the programme.

Equality Now is a key partner in the ‘Global Ending FGM/C Secretariat’, which will use a wide range of communications and advocacy strategies at local, regional, national and international levels to end FGM:

• Globally, it will mobilise a critical mass of people, organisations and networks as part of a powerful and united global movement to end FGM
• It will promote increased political will to tackle the issue, including holding governments to account
• It will raise further financial resources for grassroots work to end FGM
• Across ten focal countries in Africa it will work with existing networks of grassroots activists to help support a critical mass speaking out for change
• Across ten focal countries it will help strengthen and support existing coalitions against FGM
• Working with the diaspora, it will mobilise people to contribute skills and resources to support country-led efforts to end FGM

Responsibilities: 

• Developing and implementing specific sections of the programme’s grassroots-led social change communications strategy, which will include tools to ensure that a local, national, regional and international groundswell of support is galvanised for ending FGM
• Coordinating the adaption/tailoring of these communications and advocacy solutions for national movements in conjunction with other partners on the programme
• Maintaining a regular flow of information from and to coalitions in target countries,  including offering strategic and trouble-shooting support to coalitions on the roll-out of national communications and advocacy strategies
• Identifying opportunities to recruit network partners to support the work of the global movement and coalitions (including media and private sector partners)
• Liaising closely with the Nairobi-based communications partner (Ogilvy Africa) and representatives from the United Nations Joint Programme to End FGM
• Acting as key facilitator of any East African events hosted by the programme, and coordinating the participation of the programme in other regional and global events

During the six month inception phase, specific responsibilities will include:

• Identifying potential networks and regional platforms to work with during implementation of the programme
• Contributing to the development of communications and advocacy strategies as required by the programme
• Providing logistical support by arranging meetings and planning and supporting scoping visits from team members and partners
• Supporting the ongoing partnership with Ogilvy Africa, which will be coordinated from the London office

Requirements: 

• B.A. in Journalism, Communications or Media Studies
• Expertise in development of social change communications, media advocacy and marketing strategies, preferably in the context of FGM or related issues
• Established networks/relevant contacts in 3-5 countries in East Africa
• Expertise in digital media including updating and organising website content and experience in developing and maintaining an online presence through the use of social media.
• Exceptional and creative written, oral, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated cross-cultural competency; availability to travel internationally.
• Dynamic and proactive approach to work
• Ability to work independently and remotely within an international team
• Ability to work in partnership with a diverse range of organisations
• Fluency in Swahili, Arabic and/or French highly desirable.

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

To Apply: 

Please send a cv and cover letter to equalitynownairobi@equalitynow.org with the subject line “FGM Regional Communications and Advocacy Coordinator.” Deadline is 28 January 2014. No calls please.