Job Opportunity in Accra: FREE THE SLAVES seeks West Africa Regional Coordinator

Submitted by Tobias Eigen on 29 April, 2008 - 05:10.

Based in Accra, Ghana, the West Africa Coordinator will be the key regional liaison for Free the Slaves' Supporting Grassroots Partnerships Program. Free the Slaves' partnerships program works with local anti-slavery movements to support holistic ways of bringing people out of slavery. The West Africa Coordinator, working part-time, will report to the Director of Partnerships, based in Washington DC.

The position will be approximately 40% time or a total of 2 full days per week (schedule to be determined by West Africa Regional Coordinator and her/his supervisor) including approximately 3 trips to the field for about 4-5 days at a time per year. Free the Slaves does not have an office in Ghana, so the Coordinator will be expected to work from home or make other appropriate arrangements and will be reimbursed for agreed expenses (e.g. travel, phone, office supplies etc).

Role and Responsibilities:

Support Free the Slaves' West Africa-based partners in project implementation, advocacy and community organizing work,
Act as a liaison between partners and FTS, ensure careful program planning, budgeting, financial reporting and monitoring and evaluation.
Create larger scale economic initiatives in the source communities to prevent future trafficking. Work with local government, national government and bilaterally funded programs to identify options for building such initiatives.
Enable FTS to enhance partner efforts for a wider national and international impact.
Strategize with partner projects and Free the Slaves about increasing access to future financial and other support for partner projects
Oversee financial and other transactions
As funding permits, conduct exploratory outreach to potential anti-slavery organizations with which Free the Slaves could develop partnerships.
Be available for communication by email and phone with US-based FTS partnerships staff during planned work hours.
Assist partner projects' staff in setting up a system to regularly share their stories, experiences and best practices with Free the Slaves
Work with our partners to assist them in participating in regional or global networks and coalitions through which they can address systemic causes or policy issues affecting their work.
Work with partner projects to describe and explain their methods, in order to share ideas about ‘best practices' for slave liberation and rehabilitation in the region.
Track developments regarding slavery in West Africa and communicate those to Free the Slaves' team.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

Experience in project implementation for an NGO that is working with vulnerable populations at a grassroots level. Strong analytical skills to absorb information and think critically to evaluate different approaches.
Program experience in a related international development/human rights field e.g. forced labor, child labor, trafficking, and good background in how to set up responses such as micro-enterprises, community organization, awareness raising, legal rights awareness, advocacy, etc.
Ability to effectively work with local and national government ministries, bilateral agencies and international NGOs to develop collaborative efforts collaborative efforts, including economic initiatives.
Extensive knowledge of the NGO sector as well as knowledge of funding sources for communities that are challenging slavery.
Experience in planning NGO programs, writing budgets and reviewing financial record keeping, arranging recruitment and training.
Knowledge of the needs of funders (e.g. clearly defined work plans and measures of achievement, budgets, reporting etc)
High level of comfort with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets for the purposes of financial reporting, budgeting and program planning.
University education (An undergraduate degree in a relevant field, and, possibly, a graduate degree).
Strong communications skills (written and spoken English - as well as relevant local languages, if possible), and ability to use computer, email and internet, as well as the ability to communicate with people from a variety of backgrounds. Sensitivity regarding vulnerability of children, gender issues, etc
Understanding of the role of grassroots organizations in promoting social movements against poverty and for social justice.
Of West African origin or someone with long-term experience of living in the region; French-speaking ability also an advantage.