The Role: In consultation with the Snr. Regional Director, the Technical Lead for Africa will support progress towards the Center’s strategic goals by translating and ensuring proper application of the organization’s mission, vision, strategic plan, and program strategies; providing high level oversight and technical direction to our legal and subject matter experts to support program implementation; and ensuring all program work is technically sound and
compliant. The Technical Lead will be a legal expert experienced in supporting strategies such as public interest litigation, advocacy and capacity-building. The Technical Lead reports directly to the Snr. Regional Director for Africa and will supervise the Snr Counsel and Snr. Legal Advisers, working closely with other staff in the Africa team and across the Global Legal Program. The position will be based at the Center’s Nairobi, Kenya office.
This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Primary Responsibilities:
Technical Oversight and Supervision:
- Partner with the Snr. Regional Director and Deputy Director in
advancing the Center’s strategic plan, including annual planning and
implementation; - In consultation with the Snr. Regional Director, provide technical
direction and ensure delivery of the Center’s program in the region and
ensure compliance to defined quality of program delivery; - In consultation with the Snr. Program Manager and Monitoring,
Evaluation, and Learning team, ensure timely support for M&E and
ground monitoring and tracking of programs technical outputs; - Support the Snr. Regional Director with recruitment, onboarding and professional development of program staff; and
- Supervise the Snr. Counsel and Snr. Legal Advisers.
Litigation and Advocacy:
- In consultation with the Snr. Regional Director, work with the
Regional Snr. Legal Advisers in identifying opportunities for litigation
in collaboration with partner organizations; - Develop and oversee implementation of legal strategies and new legal theories for defensive and proactive litigation;
- Oversee the design and implementation of advocacy strategies to support litigation;
- Monitor reproductive rights litigation (i.e., non-Center litigation involving reproductive rights issues);
- Monitor significant human rights cases in the region which are relevant to reproductive rights issues; and
- In consultation with Deputy Director, ensure alignment of region’s
litigation, advocacy and research outputs to the Center’s global
strategies and standards.
Research and Advocacy:
- Lead the design and execution of general legal research on
reproductive rights in the region and identify and analyze key trends on
sexual reproductive health and rights; - Contribute to the development of advocacy strategies, materials and Center publications; and
- Identify opportunities for contributing to legal and policy reform initiatives that relate to key strategic priorities.
External Relations and Fundraising:
- In consultation with the Snr. Regional Director, represent the
Center externally on matters related to reproductive rights through
public speaking and through engagement with the media, as required; - Serve as the point person for the Africa program’s pro bono
coordination; cultivate pro bono partnerships and develop projects with
law firms, law associations, and law schools in the region to strengthen
our work; - Support the Snr. Regional Director in building and maintaining
strong partner relationships and developing networks with key technical
staff within strategic institutions to advance the program’s work; and - Support the Snr. Regional Director in fundraising efforts.
Qualifications:
- Strong commitment to the Center’s mission, purpose, and values;
- 6 years of demonstrated experience litigating human rights cases
and/or working for an international or regional human rights body or a
national court adjudicating cases through a human rights framework - Demonstrated international experience and expertise, including
experience living and working at the field level in Africa/ Global
South; - Strong people management skills with the ability to develop others
and to impart knowledge and experience in an accessible and clear
manner; - Good judgment, outstanding coordination and analytical skills;
- Sophisticated understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights;
- Effective and persuasive communications and presentation skills, both written and verbal;
- Familiarity with international and regional human rights law and knowledge of human rights systems and mechanisms;
- Strong training and facilitation skills in international, multicultural settings;
- Excellent presentation, research, writing, analytical and creative thinking skills;
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal as well as external partners and other organizations;
- Experience in developing and managing monitoring and learning systems;
- Experience in program budgeting and contracts;
- Excellent interpersonal and networking skills coupled with the ability to build strong and lasting relationships;
- Strong network of contacts in key spaces and organizations in the field of SRHR and law reform in the region;
- Advanced degree (Masters or equivalent) in law; and,
- Minimum 9+ years of related experience in developing and implementing programs, particularly in Africa/Global South.
Critical Competencies:
- Strategic thinking: Applies big-picture thinking while also focusing on the details of implementation.
- Decisiveness: Consistently makes sound decisions in a timely
manner supportive of the Center’s mission, core values, and strategic
objectives. Blends vision and judgment.
- Collaboration: Brings a track record of working effectively
with various and diverse individuals and groups, and a willingness to
actively listen and invite different views and opinions across all
levels of the institution to build alignment in support of a common
goal. - Receives and Provides Direct Feedback: Actively gives and
requests feedback to and from peers, supervisors and direct reports (If
applicable) about work products, behaviors, values, style and approaches
with a view on how this impacts self, other individuals and teams. - Transparency: Consistently applies openness and honesty in communicating decisions and plans to team members.
- Commitment to learn: Applies a growth mentality to their own
and their team’s (if applicable) development. Promotes a culture of
learning by modeling inquisitiveness and an openness to viewing mistakes
as an opportunity to learn and improve. - Passion for Coaching, and Mentoring Staff: Empowers and
motivates employees and creates opportunities for learning, development,
and leadership, with a focus on harnessing skills for the future
development of team members. (if applicable) - Accountability: Follows through on each commitment made to
individual contributors, teams and partners and proactively informs
others of any delays that occur along the way. Holds team members
accountable. - Integrity: Possesses impeccable integrity and personal and
professional values that are consistent with the Center’s high standards
and mission. - Empathy: Serves as an empathetic, approachable leader who engenders trust and confidence. (if applicable)
- Adaptability/Flexibility: Demonstrates comfort with ambiguity and calculated risk
Compensation: The Center offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits program.
How to Apply: Please complete the application below
to apply. A cover letter and resume must be included in your
application. Please include these application materials as attachments.
Deadline for applications: Applications will be
reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants are
strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
More Information
- Job City Nairobi
