Africa Program Specialist at International Land Coalition

ILC Africa (https://africa.landcoalition.org/en/ ) is a Regional Platform of the International Land Coalition (ILC https://www.landcoalition.org/en/ ), a global alliance of civil society and intergovernmental organisations working together to promote secure and equitable access to and control over land for poor women and men. The shared goal of ILC’s over 250 members is to realise land governance for and with people at national and regional levels, responding to the needs and protecting the rights of women, men and communities who live on and from the land. ILC Africa plays a powerful role in this global coalition as it hosts almost two-thirds of ILC’s total membership!

Program Specialist is a remote position part of the ILC Africa support team located in various countries and reporting to the ILC Africa Regional Coordinator. The ILC Africa support team provides technical assistance to the several multi-located member-led multi-stakeholder platforms in operations, communications, peer-to-peer learning, knowledge management, administrative activities, etc. The team also contributes to political positioning, advocacy, and the establishment of strategic partnerships and alliances that contribute to the successful implementation of the ILC strategy and mission in Africa.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Program Specialist plays a central role in the success of the ILC Africa by overseeing and providing high-quality technical support in the planning and implementation of ILC Africa member-led programs (NES&CBIs). The Program Specialist is responsible for a diverse and multi-located program portfolio across Sub-Saharan Africa and she/he has the double mandate to sustain and to grow it. The Program Specialist reports to the ILC Africa Regional Coordinator and works in close liaison with counterparts in the ILC global secretariat responsible for coordinating programmatic support to the network. As part of the distributed global team, the Program Specialist uses ILC processes and tools, such as Membership Strategy, M&E system and toolkit, Competency map, NES&CBI guidelines for supervision and facilitation among others.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supports program planning & Ensures effective programme implementation

Ø The Program Specialist supports the successful closure of the ILC strategy 2016-2021;

Ø The Program Specialist coordinates the planning and implementation of the member-led platforms (NES/CBIs) operations.

Ø In collaboration with the M&E specialist, the Program Specialist ensures NES & CBI reports are of high quality; and timely feed into the ILC global M&E system.

Ø The Program Specialist supports the development, launch, and implementation of the new ILC strategy 2022-2030;

Ø In close collaboration the Regional Coordinator, the Program Specialist promotes joint regional programming with the already existing & upcoming ILC Africa regional partners.

Ø The Program Specialist oversees & coordinates the overall ILC Africa programme cycle (NES&CBIs) from planning to reporting;

Ø Energizing the community of partners contributing to ILC outcomes, nurturing co-creation and supporting collaborative delivery;

Ø Supports overall work as needed or requested by the ILC Africa Regional Coordinator, contributes to administrative, financial and communication tasks, prepares and reviews internal documents participates in internal meetings and team dynamics;

Ø Coordinates preparation of the regional annual report and contribute to the Annual or triennial Global reports

Ø Supports preparation and presentation of programme performance reports to the Africa regional assembly;

Ø Prepares and presents programme performance reports as prescribed for internal consumption within the support team and as may be required by the Regional Coordinator, and in line with donor agreements.

Supports capacity building

Ø Supports the initiation, planning and implementation of capacity development initiatives for ILC Africa grassroots members Organizations in line with the ILC strategy;

Ø On job training for NES & CBI facilitators in project/program cycle management;

Ø Organizes capacity building activities for her/his team members in response to identified capacity needs;

Ø Organizes regular peer to peer learning sessions among facilitators and ILC partners to facilitate experience sharing;

Fundraising

Ø Supports ongoing fundraising efforts to secure the necessary core funds to implement the ILC strategy in Africa;

Ø Supports ILC Africa member-led platforms (NES & CBIs) in proposals writing to secure the required leveraged funds

Miscellaneous

Ø Supports the planning and implementation of ILC’s Africa advocacy strategy;

Ø Support ILC governance meetings; including ASC meetings and the organization of the ILC Africa Land Forum and members assemblies;

Ø Any other work related tasks as instructed by the ILC Africa Regional Coordinator

Qualifications

Ø Perfect command of French and English is a precondition for the successful candidate ;

Ø At least a Master’s degree in environmental or social sciences, natural resource management, environmental economics or similar fields;

Ø At least 8 years of experience, including at least 4 years of high level program management experience with human rights and advocacy based organizations, strong experience in programme/project management and implementation at country and regional level;

Ø Experience in portfolio management and in leading multi-actor dynamics;

Ø Experience working with human rights-based organizations

Ø Strategic thinking, strong analytical skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information;

Ø Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing;

Ø Ability to perform well in multicultural contexts and to interact appropriately with a broad range of actors (comprising community-based organizations, government representatives and intergovernmental organizations);

Ø A strong team player;

Ø Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply