Vacancy name: Program Officer Engaging with Faith – Free2BMe
Reports to: Program Manager Engaging with Faith – Free2BMe
Period: August 2023 – December 2025
Scope: Global; Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia
Location: Remote
Hours: Fulltime
Closing Date for submission is: 15 July 2023, 5pm CAT.
Please note that you are not contacted by 19-21 July, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful.
Kindly note that The Global Interfaith Network reserves all rights.
Interview dates will run the week of the 24 July.
About GIN and Free to Be Me
GIN is a global network of LGBTIQ++ people of faith who use their faith traditions as a source of insight and energy to advocate for the human rights of LGBTIQ++ people globally. GIN has a specific focus on what we call Key Affected Contexts, places where violence and power collude with religion, culture and tradition most viciously to instigate homophobic and transphobic discrimination, many of which are in the Global South. Our Secretariat is based in South Africa, and we have approximately 420 members (both individuals and organisations) worldwide.
Free to Be Me is a HIVOS-funded program that will help build and maintain a vibrant LGBTIQ+ movement that is confident and capable to lobby and advocate for their human and economic rights. The program is led by an alliance of three consortium members – Hivos (the lead party), ILGA World and Positive Vibes – and three technical partners – Sogicampaigns, The Global Interfaith Network (GIN) and Workplace Pride. Together the alliance will coach, accompany, fund and train LGBTIQ+ persons and organizations to influence norms and attitudes, generate (public) support, and promote laws, policies and regulations that recognize, respect and protect LGBTIQ+ people’s human and economic rights.
GIN’s portion of the program, which this position will oversee and implement, will engage with LGBTIQ+ activists in 5-8 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia to support them to develop their capacity to engage with religious leaders with a view to changing faith-based attitudes in order to influence social norms towards LGBTIQ+ people positively .
Position Summary
The Program Officer is a member of the Programs team is required to possess a number of skills such as logistical coordination, public speaking, facilitations and module development, they together with the Program Manager will implement the GIN components of the Free to be Me program, and are responsible for the delivery and quality of the program results, brokering relationships with partners and sound financial management,
The overall components of the Program Officer job are as follows:
With the support of the Program Manager:
- Ensure periodic review and adaptation of in-country faith-focused strategy,
- map and recruit allies,
- contribute to contextualized faith-focused training material,
- facilitate the piloting of faith-focused workshops and dialogue methodologies, roll out faith-focused workshops and dialogues.
The Program Officer is accountable to uphold both GIN and Free to be Me values and principles. They represent the program with regard to the results in implementation, expertise & learning, both internally and externally. They will be called up on to perform in congruence with the expectations of multiple stakeholders, document and disseminate their work products, and actively participate in the technological, educational, strategic, and financial aspects of GIN. They report to Free to be Me Programme Manager, who in turn reports on the programme to the Free to Be Me Steering Committee and HIVOS.
Operations and Logistics
- Maintains logistical and administrative activities and corresponding systems for internal and external communication, fulfil information requirements.
- Organizes, attend, and keeps track of meetings, organizes periodic and one-off events, monitors reporting schedules and requirements.
- Performs a variety of logistics tasks such as organizing travel and events.
- Maintain financial transparency and management.
Program Support
- Ensure periodic review of country specific strategies.
- Adapt existing GIN modules to specific country contexts.
- Maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Act as primary contact for in country coordinators, working groups and stakeholders.
- Document meetings for internal reports to Program manager and Senior Collaborations manager.
- Support as needed in implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, in collaboration with the rest of the team and shares possible synergies.
- Create and modify documents e.g. reports, memos, letters etc. using word processing, spreadsheet, database and/or other presentation using Microsoft Office.
- May compile data and prepare papers for consideration and presentation.
- Supporting the Program Manager regarding program monitoring, evaluation and learning to and inform capacity strengthening opportunities.
- Ensure timely external communication and support Communications Officer in weekly social media posts (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) and contributing to organisational communication, such as the GIN newsletter.
Technology
- Be competent in Microsoft Office, Canva and Slack
- Act as primary contact for in country coordinators and working groups.
- Ensure implementation and compliance with internal protocols for digital security.
Desired qualifications
The successful candidate will have prior experience in finance, module facilitation, be proficient in Excel, be comfortable working independently and managing competing deadlines. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for a candidate to perform this job successfully.
- Commitment to the overall mission of GIN and Free2BMe.
- High degree of professional integrity; ability and commitment to maintain confidentiality of sensitive data.
- Demonstrated experience in financial management and expense reporting.
- Comfort working with Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Suite, and databases).
- Ability to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders including partners and members of GIN.
- Solid organizational skills: detail-oriented with ability to multi-task, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work independently, be flexible and work well under pressure in a fast-paced team environment.
- Excellent communication, analysis and negotiation skills.
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a diverse environment.
Eligible Applicants
The position will be remote first, this is a global south search and we strongly encourage applications from candidates directly impacted by the issues GIN works with. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accommodations may be sought and approved in accordance with the South African labour laws.
Compensation and Benefits
The structure of the employment agreement will be determined by the geographical location and work authorization of the successful applicant. Salary and benefits may be adjusted commensurate with the experience as well as requirements of the locality in which the selected candidate is located.
- Salary: The salary range for this position is ZAR270 000,00 – ZAR350 000,00. Due to the ways in which salary negotiations perpetuate existing structural inequities, we do not participate in a salary negotiation process. GIN is committed to paying competitive wages and upholding sustainable equity practices.
- Benefits: We offer excellent benefits or equivalent (health insurance and/or retirement plan contributions), and time off policies, as well as a commitment to professional development and growth.
How to Apply
Applicants should email Akani at recruitment@gin-ssogie.org with Program Officer the subject line and attach a single PDF which includes:
- a one-page cover letter explaining why this role would be a great match for your skills, experience and interest:
- a one- or two-page resume/CV with 3 contactable references.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
GIN is committed to attracting. developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. GINs work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, colour, religious beliefs and practices, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, and all other classifications.
