BACKGROUND

DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project) is a regional non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Kampala, Uganda, that seeks to strengthen the work of human rights defenders throughout the sub-region by reducing their vulnerability to the risk of persecution and by enhancing their capacity to effectively defend human rights. DefendDefenders works in Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia/Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. More information is available on our website, and social media outlets (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram).

DefendDefenders is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Project Coordinator to manage its portfolio of projects in the Great Lakes region. The successful candidate must be able to work independently and effectively, have excellent planning & organizational skills, and be a team player that can provide guidance.

The Project Coordinator reports to the Director of Programs and Administration and is responsible for the planning, implementation, and reporting of Great Lakes projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate the implementation of our projects in the Great Lakes region, including project design and planning, implementation, coordination of activities, budget management, evaluation and reporting to ensure that the project is effectively and efficiently managed in accordance with the strategy of DefendDefenders and the parameters of its partner regulations and procedures;
• Ensuring high quality, integrity, transparency and accountability of key processes in the project, including: project design, development, and budgeting; project approval process; financial management; and reporting;
• Supervise the review of quarterly financial and narrative reports, of work plans and budgets submitted by project partners, and liaise with Finance Officers to process timely disbursements.
• Ensures that projects partners and DefendDefenders’ implementation teams are engaged in decision-making and receive the organisational and technical capacity needed to successfully complete their activities and reporting requirements.
• Ensure swift communication and collaboration with the Great Lakes region project partners for the effective implementation of the project, in both French and English;
• Establish or reinforce partnerships with other organizations in the field, to create synergies for raising awareness on human rights compliance and protection in the Great Lakes region;
• Undertake regular visits to countries of the Great Lakes;
  Monitoring the human rights legislations, issues and development in the Great Lakes region;
• Support network of human rights defenders and organizations in the Great Lakes region;
• Engage in strategic advocacy activities, including press releases and statements in collaboration with the advocacy team.
• Contribute to fundraising efforts through contributions to concept note and full proposal.
• Represent DefendDefenders at project meetings and external events.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITY

• Fluency in English and French (both spoken and written) is a must, and fluency in Kirundi and/or Kinyarwanda is an asset. As part of the recruitment process, short-listed candidates will be tested on their knowledge of both English and French.

• A solid understanding of human rights and protection mechanisms;
• Familiarity with the Great Lakes region and previous experience working in the region;
• Excellent budgeting, project management and report writing skills;
• Excellent organisational and leadership skills;
• Good conceptual and analytical capacity;
• Ability to rapidly assimilate and digest large volumes of information;
• Ability to effectively balance and coordinate multiple competing priorities, working within set, and sometimes tight, deadlines;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and maintain good relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• Ability to tailor language, tone, style and format to match the audience.
• Strong team management and coordination skills;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural;
• Excellent computer skills (familiarity with Office 365);
• Basic knowledge of digital safety practices.
• Willingness to travel.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• A master’s degree in human rights, law, social sciences, political science or a related field from an accredited academic institution;
• Minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in project management;
• Proven experience in narrative and financial reporting on complex projects to international donors is a strong asset;
• Experience in implementing projects within partner networks or consortia is desirable.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Full-time position based in Kampala, Uganda. The selected applicant must be based in Uganda or able to relocate to Kampala immediately, or within a short timeframe.
• 12 months contract period, renewable based on performance and availability of funds;
• Health insurance (in Uganda) and travel insurance are provided.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply with the following documents in a single submission:

• Letter of motivation;
• CV including two references;

E-mail your application to [email protected] no later than16 May 2021. The subject line of the email should read “Application for Great Lakes Project Coordinator position”.

Please do not attach copies of qualifications/diploma at this stage. Only complete applications will be reviewed. All materials should be submitted via email. We regret that owing to the volume in applications only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

EMPLOYMENT WITH DEFENDDEFENDERS

Equal employment opportunities and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at DefendDefenders where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or any other protected characteristic as established under international human rights principles.