AWEPA Project Officer

AWEPA - Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa

Brussels, Belgium

About AWEPA

AWEPA’s principle objective is to support and strengthen the effective functioning of parliaments in Africa as well as to keep Africa high on the political agenda in Europe. In Africa, AWEPA works from a development perspective to strengthen the core functions of parliaments: oversight, representation and legislation. It believes that strong parliaments in particular and good governance, transparency and accountability in general, are essential prerequisites for Africa’s development and ultimately its stability, peace and prosperity. 

In Europe, AWEPA members work to increase the commitment among parliamentarians and other political leaders towards important issues in Africa. AWEPA implements national and regional capacity building programmes for parliaments, their members and staff, by organising trainings, workshops, conferences and exchange visits.

For more information about AWEPA, please visit our website at www.awepa.org.

Job Summary

The Project Officer will contribute to the planning, implementation and evaluation of activities for selected multi-annual parliamentary capacity building programmes. The position involves day-to-day coordination of projects and activities, liaising with partners, reporting, budgeting and financial monitoring in support of the implementation of activities in Africa and occasionally, Europe. 

The Project Officer will be a member of the Project Team and reports directly to the Director Programme Development on programs and projects and reports to the CAO on financial and organisational matters.

Key tasks and responsibilities

Programme Management

Coordination, planning and reporting of the following programmes of the AWEPA Belgian contract:

• Burundi;
• RFPAC (Network of Women Parliamentarians of Central Africa);
• FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) programme;
• Programme projects (eg. observation of elections).

Coordination, planning and reporting related focus will be on issues involving:

• Drafting revised or new programme proposals;
• Monitoring and evaluation of activities;
• Multi-year planning;
• Monitoring and updating the workplans for Burundi, RFPAC and FGM;
• Drafting and monitoring of budgets;
• Development and implementation of annual work plans with relevant partners, including the design and organisation of different programme activities, including regional activities;
• Donor report writing;
• Write monthly activity/output reports, programme outcome reports, website and other publication contributions and travel reports;
• Writing publications.

General Support

• Supporting the AWEPA staff in Burundi and staff connected to the programs RFPAC and FGM in project management;
• Provide general support to the the Belgian Section.

Funding

• Participate in fundraising activities in the countries and/or thematic areas concerned;
• Scrutenise new posibilities.

Finances

• Manage the bank affairs and the petty cash;
• Prepare the monthly cash and bankbooks.

Office

• Responsible for incoming mail: archiving, mail registration and distribution;
• Plan and organise business trips and maintain a good relationship with travel agencies, hotels, etc.;
• Purchase and maintanance of all office equipment and stationary;
• Contact person for suppliers and other office facility organisations.

Profile

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in political/social science, international development, international relations, law or other relevant subject;
• Native French and near-native English language abilities;
• Excellent writing and reporting skills in both French and English;
• Interest in politics and development in relation to Africa;
• Firm understanding and interest in the workings of legislatures, especially those in Africa and Europe.

Experience

• Two years of relevant working experience in an international environment;
• Some experience with project cycle management including monitoring and evaluation;
• Some experience of capacity building programmes;
• Experience working under own initiative with a diverse collection of stakeholders;
• Experience working within a political environment (desirable); and
• Experience working and/or living abroad (desirable).

Skills

• Demonstrated capacity for excellent organization and coordination skills;
• Very good drafting, research and communications skills;
• Good financial and planning skills;
• IT skills, including MS Excel;
• Ability to work independently, with attention to detail;
• Strong proactive attitude and sense of responsibility; and
• Flexibility is a key word for this position.

Other

• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively;
• Respect for diversity, ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment;
• Ability to travel extensively to Africa and elsewhere with short notice under sometimes difficult conditions; and
• Must be in sympathy with the aims of AWEPA.

What will AWEPA offer you?

A challenging job at a non-governmental organisation operating in an international environment. The employment period will initially be for 12 months. The Project Officer will work on a full-time basis (38 hours) and is based in Brussels. The salary will be set in accordance to relevant experience and background.

Starting date: as soon as possible.

Procedure

For more information concerning this vacancy please contact Ms. Martien Meenhorst, Human Resources Officer, phone: +31 (0)20 524 5678.
Applicants should send their covering letter and CV in English by email to: recruitment@awepa.org.

The closing date for applications is Friday 1 March 2013.