Position Available: East Africa Disability Rights Programme Officer

POSITION AVAILABLE
EAST AFRICA DISABILITY RIGHTS PROGRAMME OFFICER

For wide circulation


SEARCH CLOSES: February 20, 2012
Send resume and cover letter to [email protected]

We seek a dynamic, creative and committed programme officer to lead our East Africa disability rights program.
This is a joint project of the Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa (OSIEA) and the Open Society’s Disability Rights Initiative (DRI). The position is housed in OSIEA, and reports to the OSIEA Director and the DRI Legal Advisor.
The Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa promotes vibrant, tolerant democracies in the region by awarding grants, developing programs, and bringing together diverse civil society leaders and groups.
The Disability Rights Initiative, the Open Society Foundations’ global program on disability rights, promotes national implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), focusing on the most marginalizing practices and marginalized groups through legal and policy reform.

Responsibilities
Provide a bold and strategic vision for innovative grant-making and program development by adding value to existing disability rights efforts within the organization and the region
Manage the disability grant-making and advocacy portfolio and identify strategies to advance focus areas
Incorporate institution building and technical capacity development of grantee organizations into programming work
· Conduct relevant legal and policy analysis on disability rights in the region for internal and external audiences
· Conduct advocacy in collaboration with grantees and constituents targeting governments, donor agencies, service providers, and the general public
· Oversee any administrative duties connected with the program and manage consultants working on disability rights

Qualifications
Proven commitment to the protection of human rights in the East African region. Previous work on disability rights, familiarity with civil society organizations, and experience to promote CRPD implementation strongly preferred
Relevant advanced degree, preferably in law
Excellent oral and written communications skills as well as analytical skills to review laws and policies. Experience with research and writing for publication
Extraordinary initiative, creativity and capacity to think strategically
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a diverse array of people
Team spirit and respectful working and decision-making style
Ability to manage multiple liaisons within OSIEA and the larger Open Society Foundations network in a fast paced environment
Strong organizational skills and close attention to detail
Integrity, diplomatic manner and professional discretion essential
Willingness to travel as needed.
At OSIEA, all staff are expected to work at integrating the organizational values into the performance of their duties and tasks on a daily basis and by participating in in-house working groups designed to uphold the values and foster healthy inter-office communication.
For more information: www.soros.org/initiatives/osiea
www.soros.org/initiatives/rights-initiatives/focus/disability
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
For more information: www.soros.org
COMPENSATION: Competitive salary, with good benefits package
No phone calls, please. Only successful candidates will be contacted