Programme Manager, SEMA Global Survivor Network At Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation

Title: Programme Manager, SEMA Global Survivor Network

Location: Based in The Hague

Period: Starting December 2022, 1-year contract, with the possibility to extend

Availability: Full-time

Reporting to: Executive Director

Introduction

The Mukwege Foundation team is expanding with various new projects in the pipeline, and thus we are adding additional capacity to our programme team. This is an excellent opportunity for multi-lingual candidates with experience in project/programme management to work for an international human rights organisation based in The Hague. We are looking for an experienced candidate to actively support the ongoing activities and further development and strengthening of SEMA, the Global Network of Victims and Survivors of Wartime Sexual Violence.

The ideal candidate has strong experience with programming for victims/survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, network building, international NGO Programme management, and/or support to civil society movements in the development/humanitarian sector. You have a proven affinity and a strong commitment to survivor-centred approaches. You have a high-level capacity and demonstrated experience/skill in strategy development within this programme area.

The candidate we are looking for has at least 5 years of relevant programme management experience, is experienced with donor reporting and proposal writing, has a hands-on approach, and has strong inter-cultural communications skills.

About Us

The Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation (MF) is an international human rights organization, dedicated to ending rape as a weapon of war globally. The Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation supports survivors’ demands for a world where sexual violence as a weapon of war is no longer tolerated and bears consequences for individual perpetrators and states. We work for a future where survivors receive the holistic care & compensation they need to rebuild their lives. We create opportunities for survivors to speak out and be heard, and where they can organise to create change, influence policies, and demand justice and accountability.

SEMA – A Global Network to Connect Survivors

In 2017, the Mukwege Foundation supported the creation of SEMA, the first global network of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, and we have been accompanying them ever since. SEMA – the global network of victims and survivors to end wartime sexual violence – brings survivors from 24 countries and 6 continents together, representing more than 90 years of conflict. It creates opportunities for survivors to share and learn from each other, fight for their rights, raise awareness and conduct international advocacy together, and influence policies and programmes which impact them. Its members’ call has been, ‘Nothing about us, without us’, and despite extraordinary barriers, they are already creating incredible change.

SEMA offers a safe global platform for survivors to come together for solidarity, to share experiences and knowledge, to advocate powerfully for the abolition of the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war, and to lobby for the recognition of the rights of survivors to quality holistic care and to restorative justice. This is essential for peer-learning, bringing survivors from different generations and cultures together.

Survivors’ voices bring a human understanding of the consequences of wartime rape, and can explain the true needs of victims. They can propose concrete ideas for change, based on their lived realities, which have a compelling impact on all audiences. When survivors meet, they recognise that in spite of their differences in age, culture and background, they share similar experiences and hopes. They also recognise the strength that comes with solidarity. With the support of the Mukwege Foundation, survivors have created a global network, coming together as activists to fight the root causes of conflict-related sexual violence and its consequences.

Job overview

The main responsibilities of the Programme Manager are to actively support the ongoing activities and further development and strengthening of SEMA the global network. The Programme Manager is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the various SEMA working groups (Advocacy & Visibility, Collective Memory and the Red Line) as well as organising quarterly (online) meetings of the working groups. The Programme Manager will support SEMA members in the event of travel, organisation of workshops and the preparation of advocacy activities. The Programme Manager is responsible for leading the Programmes of the global network throughout the Programme cycle, which might include the organisation of Global and Regional SEMA Retreats, and will work closely with the National Network Programme Managers to facilitate learning exchanges.

The Programme Manager will also work closely with the MF fundraiser to identify funding opportunities and contribute to proposal writing.

Organogram

The Programme Manager reports to the Executive Director and directly collaborates with the Programme Director and Programme Managers for the national networks.

Responsibilities

In alignment with the overall strategy of MF and the national strategies for the survivor networks, and in close collaboration with the Focal points for the SEMA members, the Programme Manager will ensure the further development and strengthening of the Global SEMA network , work closely with its members towards achieving their objectives and support the individual SEMA members. This includes the following areas of result.

Areas of Result

1. Further develop and support to the SEMA network, which includes:

• Actively engage with SEMA members to further develop the network and enhance individual members capacities
• Planning and organisation of SEMA events, e.g. F2F, online webinars, workshops, retreats;
• Coordinating SEMA’s working groups and co-create the strategies for the different working groups
• Organise and facilitate the working group meetings;
• Coordinating with external partners and facilitating the participation of SEMA members in public speaking events, including accompanying them when necessary;
• Acting as the focal point for other organisations that seek support from/work with SEMA members;
• Support survivors with writing and preparation of presentations, speeches, and statements;
• Managing social media accounts of the SEMA Network (Facebook and Twitter);
• Regularly update the website of the network.

1. Programme Management and administrative tasks for this position include:

• Contribute to proposal writing and budget design;
• Develop detailed project plans, defining the scope of the project and setting deadlines;
• Monitor project progress;
• Budget management;
• Responsible for adequate/timely reporting based on donor requirements;
• Maintaining relationships with external partners;
• Maintaining a shared SEMA database of contacts;
• Updating the SEMA country overview sheet.

1. As a member of the team, participate in the overall work of the organisation, which includes:

• Full engagement in staff activities, meetings, and supporting other colleagues as appropriate.
• Active support in building external relations and communications.
• Event support (including presentations about the work of the Foundation, e.g. at conferences, workshops, and translation as needed).

Required Qualifications, Skills and Competencies

Knowledge and skills

• Proven knowledge of and working experience with CRSV survivors
• Experience with network building
• Over 5 years of project management experience in the humanitarian/development field
• Relevant university degree
• Experience in using online conferencing platforms, including Zoom (KUDO is a plus);
• Experience in delivering workshops and facilitating online meetings;
• Expert knowledge of social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter);
• Perfect command of English is required, both written and spoken;
• Good understanding of French and/or Spanish are required, both written and spoken;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint;
• Attentive to details, highly organised, and autonomous;
• Ability to prioritise and work under pressure;
• Hands-on attitude, proactive mindset, problem solving attitude
• Open communicator

Soft skills

• You are trustworthy, respectful and honest, and exhibit a high standard of integrity in all interactions
• You have well-developed skills to create empathy with partners and survivors in multiple contexts, but also deal with sensitive situations.
• You are flexible and have a proven ability to adapt and respond to the changing environment and to constructively create opportunities for change through active participation

Diversity

The Mukwege Foundation is an international organisation with a diverse, international team and its main office in the Netherlands.

As the Mukwege Foundation, we believe in the value of a diverse (leadership) team. We believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace is essential to our work. We welcome people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences. It will be considered a plus if the candidate can contribute to the diversity in our team.

This role is based in The Hague, but excellent candidates based in any programme location with the same time zone as the Netherlands will also be seriously considered if the candidate is willing to commit to extensive travel and regular presence in The Hague.

What we offer

• 1-year contract based on 40 hours per week with possibility to extend
• Full-time gross salary between €3818 and €4925, depending on experience
• 8% holiday allowance and 25 paid holiday days
• Communication and commuting allowance
• Pension contribution

Start date: December 2022 (or asap in consultation with the selected candidate).

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. It will not be possible to obtain a work permit for this position. All candidates must be fully eligible to work in The Netherlands. This means that non-EU nationals must already have permission to stay and work in The Netherlands.