Position: Regional Coordinator, JASS Southern Africa

Application deadline: January 26, 2009
Location: TBD. Must be in Southern Africa. Virtual office is ideal
Start Date: March 1, 2009
Salary: Competitive and commensurate with experience

JASS (Just Associates), a fast-growing global organization dedicated to strengthening the voice, visibility and collective organizing power of women, is looking for an experienced African women’s rights activist with at least 7 years of experience working on HIV/AIDs in Southern Africa and beyond. This is a great opportunity for an African professional who is deeply committed to building activist democratic leadership and organizational models in the region and who is interested in coordinating feminist organizing strategies that address both women’s practical needs and their rights in relation to HIV/AIDS. The ideal candidate offers relevant strategic and programmatic experience, combined with vision and passion; demonstrated leadership; and interpersonal, organizational, administrative and financial management skills.

Since 2006, JASS women’s movement-building efforts – combining leadership and advocacy training with organizing, communications and knowledge-generation – have set in motion rapidly growing regional initiatives and alliances that are carried out through minimal, flexible structures and a tightly knit network of activists operating in different parts of the world. JASS Southern Africa, now in its second year, works with women living with and affected by HIV/AIDS – many of whom are young women. The program is driven by a core group of 5 women who have been engaged since the beginning in 2007. Working very closely with the JASS global team, the JASS Southern Africa core team is comprised of one full-time Program Associate based in Cape Town, a part-time Communications Associate based in Zimbabwe, and three others contracted for specific projects. During 2009, the Regional Coordinator would work closely with and report to the JASS Executive Director, as well as with JASS regional staff and allies while gradually taking over the leadership of the regional processes with the core Southern African team, the broader group of JASS movement-builders (JMBs) and strategic allies in Southern Africa. The Regional Coordinator will also interface with JASS initiatives in the Americas and in Asia, and explore opportunities for mutual learning and coordinated advocacy. Concrete responsibilities are to:

* Oversee and direct consultative processes for designing, planning and implementing JASS Southern Africa strategies and programs in line with JASS’ overall mission and strategic priorities;
* Maintain regular/weekly communication with global team and regional core team to ensure that programs and relationships are on track;
* Establish/consolidate regional systems for planning, coordination, reporting, etc. in close coordination with the core team and global JASS;
* Identify and pursue strategic opportunities to deepen and broaden the impact of the JASS Southern Africa movement-building process;
* Represent JASS Southern Africa and involve other core team members and JMBs in representing JASS at important events and among allies, donors, etc.;
* Provide leadership, mentoring and support to the broader group of JMBs, while managing the Program Associate, Part-time Communications Associate and other JASS regional facilitators.

Qualifications:

- Minimum 7 years’ experience with political activism and/or advocacy on women’s rights, HIV/AIDS and related issues;

- Substantive knowledge on policy issues related to the core themes;

- Demonstrated commitment to facilitative leadership and management principles;

- Experience in promoting teamwork and working collaboratively in a multigenerational, multicultural context;

- Ability to think critically and politically, and problem-solve with minimal resources;

- Proven ability to operate in a virtual, global organization where e-mail and phone communication is paramount;

- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally; public speaking skills are important;

- Administration and financial management experience are necessary; ability to produce and coach others to produce monthly and quarterly workplans and reports;

- Experience working effectively with limited budgets and a corresponding ability to draft and implement budgets for regional projects and initiatives;

- Experience organizing and facilitating events;

- Capacity to be self-directed but also consultative; willingness to accept and give constructive criticism;

- Sensitivity/awareness of difference, power and privilege as they shape interaction and of multigenerational processes.

How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume via email, fax, or mail (email is preferred) to:

Carrie Wilson
Cross-regional Program Coordinator
Just Associates (JASS)
2040 S St NW
Third Floor
Washington, DC 20009
Email: [email][email protected]
Fax: (202) 232-4715

No phone calls please.

JASS is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants with diverse backgrounds and members of the queer/transgender community are strongly encouraged to apply.