Projects Officer – West Africa.
- Team: Programme Officer
- Key Relationships: Protection and Civic space, Digital rights, ATI-Transparency, Research and Advocacy team
- Contract: Fixed term contract of 15 months
- Working Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours a week
- Salary: As per salary scale + standard and negotiated benefits
- Location: Dakar, Senegal with travels to Mali and if required elsewhere (Article 19 is a flexible employer and encourages a hybrid working environment. The frequency of time in attending the office and working from home is to be agreed with the successful candidate.)
At Article 19
ARTICLE 19 is an international think–do organisation that propels the freedom of expression movement locally and globally to ensure all people realise the power of their voices.
Together with our partners, we:
- THINK: We develop cutting-edge research and legal and policy analysis to drive change worldwide.
- DO: We lead work on the frontlines of expression through our 9 regional hubs across the globe.
- PROPEL: We propel change by sparking innovation in the global freedom of expression movement.
We do this by working on 5 key themes:
- promoting media independence;
- increasing access to information;
- protecting journalists;
- expanding civic space; and
- placing human rights at the heart of developing digital spaces.
For over 35 years, ARTICLE 19 has worked for a world where all people everywhere can freely express themselves and actively engage in public life without fear of discrimination. We do this by combining research, campaigning, and cutting-edge legal analysis.
Explore our impact since 1987
Your contribution to the team
Your role as Projects Officer will be vital in achieving the goals of the Protection, Civic Space, Access to information and Digital rights Programme. You will provide programmatic and implementation support on the regional initiatives, projects and processes. You will also support the Programme in operationalising innovative approaches to freedom of expression challenges under Goal 2 and Goal 3 (see above) in West Africa whilst embracing our values in all that you do. Your focus will be on delivering programmatic support to plan, design tools and strategies, implement activities and follow up delivery on ARTICLE 19 projects towards (1) Civic space and human rights (freedom of press, freedom of expression, protest and other civic freedoms, safety of journalists, youth and women in public space, protection of groups in situation of discrimination, , hate speech and incitement, gender-based violence, and surveillance of speech) (2) Access to information and transparency. The digital focus on this work will be essential in ensuring that ARTICLE 19’s expertise is cohesively looking at both the online and offline ramifications of protection, civic space and transparency issues to understand and address the challenges of technological developments, including AI and highly intrusive technologies.
You will undertake various tasks in Senegal, Mali and the West Africa sub-region, particularly in the planning, implementation, coordination and reporting on the projects. Specific tasks include ensuring timely workplans, implementation of projects activities, organizing and participating in roundtables and training workshops, liaising with government, partners and consultants, maintaining media presence, , preparing and editing activities and projects reports, assisting with thematic research and reparation of other programmatic strategies and resources mobilization for the continuity and sustainability of the intervention.
Our Values
Integrity
- We hold ourselves to the high standard we set for others.
- We are coherent on matters of law and policy wherever we work in the world.
- We value visibility, objectivity and the accuracy of our work.
Transparency
- We know good information can enable powerful action.
- We are clear, open and honest in our dealings with each other and the outside world.
Collaboration
- Our network of supporters and partners is the lifeblood of our organisation.
- We seek to build productive and inspiring relationships based on the trust our partners, supporters and donors place in us.
Diversity
- We respect each other and we listen to each other.
- We actively defend those whose voices are marginalised.
Accountability
- We say what we mean and we do what we say, speaking with once voice wherever possible.
- We work hard to make sure our learning and reporting is the best it can be.
Tenacity
- We never give up
- We are tenacious and will find every possible avenue to seek changes in law and practice to secure the freedoms associated with our mission.
Innovation
- We are proud of our expertise and are always ready to share what we know.
- We seek to explore the boundaries of our field for benefits of the freedom we protect.
What you can expect in a typical day.
Key responsibilites
Direct delivery of civic space, FoE, ATI projects
Planning and implementation
- Developing the project annual, quarterly and monthly workplans and keeping them updated.
- Implementing the project activities as per approved workplans in coordination with consortium members.
- Preparing quality activities documents: CN/ToR, logistics notes, Information notes, Evaluation forms, etc.
- Organising and facilitating high quality standards-based capacity building workshops with partners.
- Mobilizing participants and maintaining liaison with partners, institutions and other stakeholders.
- Monitoring and documenting violations of freedom of expression both in public space and online
- Drafting communication responses to the violations and other attempts and threats to FoE and CSP.
- Ensure quality research methodology and tools are developed with support of Research Unit
- Developing and facilitating evidence-based advocacy and campaign plans.
- Drafting policy briefs and other relevant materials towards state institutions and regional mechanisms for policy influencing.
- Participating in projects meetings and sessions and providing feedback on joint actions and documents as appropriate
- Ensuring continuous date collection, analysis and documentation
- Developing activities reports and drafting internal and quarterly, annual donor reports
Thematic Research
- Supporting in identifying pressing policies and emerging civic freedoms trends that require analysis and research action
- Drafting or contributing to the design of research ToR, methodology, data collection tools, ethics protocols, data analysis and reports guidelines and dissemination plan
- Developing regular policy and political analysis on priority issues as the basis to develop strategic policy and advocacy agenda
- Maintaining an in-depth understanding of law and policy formulation, implementation, reform initiatives that affect CSP, Information integrity as well as other sectors subject to public accountability such health, education budgets, public procurement and contracts
- Developing appropriate communication channels to disseminate research findings and policy analysis highlights.
Advocacy
- Keeping clear understanding of in-country government and key decisions makings structures, political processes and keeping updated the mapping of key stakeholders, influencers, political actors, CSO, etc and setting a database of possible allies, partners, opposites, etc for the purpose of advocacy, including regional mechanisms and how to influence them on issues related to CSP, FoE, TRA, DIG, Protection.
- Designing and implementing evidence-based advocacy and campaign strategy and plans drawn from relevant research, policy analysis, context monitoring and programme learning findings; with appropriate strategies for engage specific groups such as women, youth, gender minorities.
- Using research and analysis data evidence and international standards of FoE to influence and support policy formulation/policy change/policy implementation to advance public learning and policy framework on issues affecting Media freedom, TRA/ATI, CSP, GE, Digital.
- Keeping updated mechanisms and events to amplify advocacy voices at local, national and regional level including with the ECOWAS and AU mechanisms as applicable, UPR and UN team requests.
- Initiating or supporting development of advocacy materials – policy briefs, position papers, press releases, statements, Questions and answers and opinion pieces for the country and regional advocacy.
Programme support: Fundraising, Strategy delivery monitoring and documenting
- Drafting or contributing to the design of proposals and concept notes supporting CSP, TRA/ATI officers based on opportunities identified.
- Act as focal point for BDT for new proposals and concept notes in new areas, keep updated the BDT plans, PIPs and others.
- Supporting directly the thematic programme officers (CSP, TRA/ATI, DIG) to produce their thematic strategy and annual periodic, annual thematic reports or other documents.
- Supporting projects quality delivery by coordinating with the thematic Programme officers for: Updated projects plans; timely and quality delivery and reporting for planned activities.
- Preparing internal quarterly and annual reports and supporting periodic and final projects reports to donors as per agreed deadlines in grant contracts in coordination with thematic Officers.
- Regular review and appropriate monitoring of the execution of projects and programs and contractual obligations with partners and report to thematic lead or M&E team.
- Tracking programme deadlines with donors or internal submissions.
- Ensuring Programme backstopping records: updating all Programme information on SharePoint and liaising continuously with the Programme and strategy delivery team.
- Contributing to the strategy design and assisting the RD in gathering data and preparing relevant documents for meetings, workshops, donor engagements.
- Drafting or contributing to the design of proposals and concept notes supporting to CSP, TRA/ATI officers based on opportunities identified
- Play of focal point for BDT for new proposals and concept notes in new areas, keep updated the BDT plans, PIPs and others
What you will bring to the Role
Qualification and experience
- Master’s degree in law, public policy, Human rights, political science + 2 years of research and activism or work experience in human rights sector
- Proven knowledge on FoE, ATI thematic sectors: CSP, Media Freedoms, Protection, Digital rights, transparency, gender inclusion, policy making process in Senegal, Mali and across West Africa
- Experience of at least two years working on one or more of ARTICLE 19’s thematic areas under Protection and Civic Space, Information and transparency including but not limited to the online and offline Safety of Journalists, access to information, open gov protest, hate speech and incitement, surveillance, artificial intelligence, and other emerging civic space issues in the context of social and political crisis.
- Experience supporting implementation plans, monitoring targets and design of strategic advocacy communication outputs for various audiences, including authorities, the media and civil society.
- Experience initiating and developing human rights-based research outputs, engaging with government, CSO, Media and other stakeholders
- Experience of working within a multi-cultural and multi-lingual workplace
Skills and abilities
- Critical, innovative and strategic thinking skills and Strong interpersonal, communication, facilitation and organisational skills.
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment, with strong attention to the situation in and practices of different contexts and cultural understandings.
- Excellent verbal and writing communications skills in French and good base in English with ability to progress
- Decisive in seeking innovative and collaborative actions to make real change for the groups and individuals at highest risk.
- Ability to build mutual trust and encourages respect and cooperation among team members.
- Proficient in planning and organising deliverables whilst working under pressure.
- Ready to self-start, proactive, positive attitude, effective teamwork and passionate for HR and to serve Article 19
Our Reward Package
- Salaries are determined by our salary scale.
- We offer comprehensive benefits including a range of well-being plans; generous paid leave and public holidays; family friendly policies; an attractive leave policy; and wellness days.
Our Culture
We are a people centred and flexible employer, friendly and a passionate global organisation who live and breathe the same mission and values. We strive to be agile and work collaboratively and are committed to DEI and staff wellbeing.
Our commitment as an equal opportunities employer
Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams. We celebrate individuality and encourage you to join us and be your authentic self at work with the freedom to have responsibility, autonomy, and creativity within your role.
