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ActionAid International Senior Programme Manager – Democratic Governance


ActionAid is an international anti-poverty agency formed in 1972.  We are a partnership between people in poor and rich countries working together to end poverty and injustice.  Today we are working with over 13 million of the world’s poorest and excluded people in over 40 countries worldwide to secure their rights to a life free of poverty and injustice, and with the support of half a million donors and supporters

 
ACTIONAID INTERNATIONAL
DIRECTORATE OF PROGRAMMES
 
Senior Programme Manager – Democratic Governance
Location: Strong preference for Johannesburg or Nairobi Hubs, other locations where AAI operates may be considered
International Terms and Conditions of Employment will apply, basic salary GB£45,489 per annum
 
This position will provide strategic leadership for the development and design of high-impact rights-based programming on ActionAid International’s Strategy Objective 2 encompassing essential services, government accountability, corporate accountability, development finance (private and public sectors), tax, aid, social protection and deepening democracy. The incumbent will be responsible for convening one or more agency-wide project teams that will deliver coordinated multi-country programmes linking local, national and international work and generating innovative alternatives to conventional approaches. The aim is to establish AAI as one of the leading NGOs globally on democratic governance and this role will ensure a strong external-facing engagement in key international for a, acting as a senior spokesperson on democratic governance and promoting innovative work alternatives.
 
On a professional level you will need to have a relevant post-graduate degree with at least 10 years’ experience in leadership roles managing people and budgets on issues of government and/or corporate accountability to citizens, 5 years of which should be at international level. You need to have experience in international programme design, project cycle, development and implementation, being a strategic thinker and innovator able to spot trends and opportunities before others and translating these into practical interventions. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English (fluency in French, Spanish or Portuguese will be an advantage) with the ability to persuade and motivate through communication is required.
 
The ideal candidate will have a comprehensive understanding of rights-based approaches to government and/or corporate accountability to citizens and ways of linking programme practice to policy and campaigning work. The role requires excellent advocacy and networking skills and connections at international or regional level to advance AAI’s influencing agenda and public profile on women’s rights, linked to a successful track record of fundraising for both influencing and operation work.
 
On a personal level you will have a dynamic, participatory leadership style with superb negotiating and influencing skills, especially among stakeholders with strongly diverging interests to get results without line management authority. You must be able to manage others, often at a distance, to meet tight deadlines and priorities, being able to build and inspire high-performing multi-cultural teams. A strong commitment to develop, promote and practice AAI’s vision, mission, values and strategy is imperative.
 
Application Procedures
 
For more details on this exciting opportunity, please refer to the attached job description or our international website (www.actionaid.org/jobs).
 
Applications should be sent to: programmes.jhb@actionaid.orgby no later than 14th of June 2013. Your applications should consist of your up to date CV and motivation letter – applications that do not meet these criteria will not be consideredYou are requested to highlight in the motivation letter how specifically you meet the criteria for this role. Please clearly indicate which position you are applying for.
 
Due to high volumes of applications received, we can only correspond with short listed applicants. Should you not have received feedback on your application within two weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. ActionAid International will not consider candidates from recruitment agencies. We reserve the right to withdraw any of our vacancies at any time.
 
ActionAid International promotes diversity and welcomes applications from all section of the community.