Header

Deputy Director, Southern Africa ONE

Deputy Director, Southern Africa

ONE is a campaign and advocacy organisation backed by over three million people from around the world who are committed to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. We hold world leaders to account for the promises made to the poorest, and we press them to support better policies and more effective aid and trade reform. We also work with leaders in Africa to support greater democracy, accountability and transparency so these resources can be effectively deployed. ONE has offices in Abuja, Berlin, Brussels, Johannesburg, London, Paris and Washington DC.
We are looking for a Deputy Director to lead our campaigning and advocacy work across Southern Africa. This role will work alongside the Africa Director and other senior staff across the organisation to maintain ONE’s engagement and dialogue with leaders in government, business, and civil society across the region ensuring that ONE’s priorities are closely aligned with those of our African partners. This role will also provide operational oversight for the Africa office in Johannesburg.
The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of the international development agenda, and substantial advocacy and lobbying experience within this sector at a senior level. The candidate will also possess strategic thinking, analytical, planning and communications skills; experience of managing people and budgets within a global organisation, and will be a strong collaborator and team player with a deep commitment to ONE’s goals and priorities.
Reports to: Africa Director
Location: This role will be based in Johannesburg. Frequent regional travel will be required, with occasional international travel.
Principal Responsibilities
· Lead ONE’s advocacy and campaigning work across countries across Southern Africa, working alongside the Africa Director and other senior staff in the organisation to engage meaningfully with government, African institutions and civil society, securing high level partnerships and representing ONE in high level dialogue with key leaders on substantive policy issues
· Oversee the implementation of aspects of the ONE’s Africa engagement strategy, with a particular focus on Southern Africa engagement
· Identify and maintain strategic working relationships with individuals in key organisations and institutions including governments, private sector organisations, the media and civil society groups
· Working alongside the Africa Director, engage African leadership in effective dialogue to ensure their input into the development of ONE’s key policy, campaigning and advocacy areas
· Work closely with members of the Africa team and other relevant staff across the organisation to ensure that ONE’s policy, campaigns and media positions and products have highly credible African content
· Secure access for ONE to high level strategic meetings, conferences, attending these meetings and deputising for the Africa Director as required.
· Deputise for the Africa Director in the management of the Johannesburg office, overseeing the operations of the team including employee and financial management.
· Any other duties as appropriate to the role
Skills and competence required for the role (candidates should demonstrate how their experience meets these in their application):
· Extensive experience of working in sub-Saharan Africa in a senior level position within international development, civil society, media or government
· Extensive high level contacts among key African leaders and/or their advisors, with a particular focus on Southern Africa
· A global outlook with a clear understanding of the mechanisms of Western and African political landscapes
· Significant understanding of the international development environment with specific experience of working with African leaders within the private sector, civil society organisations and government
· Excellent analytical, interpersonal, and written and oral communication skills
· Highly proficient at establishing strong partnerships across organizations and influencing stakeholders to achieve optimal outcomes
· The gravitas and judgment to represent ONE at high level meetings and conferences
· A commitment to ONE’s policy priorities and a clear understanding of the links between policy, lobbying, campaigning and media work and of how policy change can be achieved through effective advocacy
· Demonstrable expertise in priority development sectors (health, agriculture, or infrastructure/economic development) desirable
· Demonstrable experience of effective management of people and financial resources
· Experience of working on the ground within developed and developing countries
· Experience of remote working and taking the initiative
· Ability to manage competing priorities in a rapidly changing environment
· Fluent English essential and a working knowledge of one or more of French, Portuguese, Arabic desirable.
Deadline for applications: 18th May 2012
To apply: please email
with a CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the skills and experience outlined in the job description. Please ensure the job title is shown in the subject line. Please also indicate within your application whether you currently hold the right to work in the Republic of South Africa.
We thank all candidates for their interest, however we are only able to contact those who have been shortlisted. Therefore if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful at this time.