AKINA MAMA WA AFRIKA

An international development organisation for African women

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
REGIONAL COORDINATOR, UK/EUROPE

A INFORMATION ABOUT AKINA MAMA wa AFRIKA (AMwA)

Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA) is an international, pan-African, non-governmental development organisation for African women established in 1985. AMwA’s headquarters are located in Kampala, Uganda with a UK/Europe regional office in the United Kingdom. It was set up by women from different parts of Africa, resident in the United Kingdom. Translated from Swahili, the name means ‘Solidarity for African Women’ signifying Sisterhood. AMwA was founded to create space for African women to organize autonomously, identify issues of concern to them and speak for themselves. AMwA coordinates local, regional and international initiatives, and builds the individual and organisational leadership capacities of African women through leadership development programs, networking, information and advocacy. AMwA is registered as an International NGO in Uganda by the NGO Registration Board as well as a Registered Charity in the United Kingdom (No.1041431), and a Company Limited by Guarantee (No.2958127). AMwA is an NGO in Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council at the United Nations.

AMwA envisions a world in which there is social, economic and political autonomy of African women. AMwA’s mission is to serve as a networking, information, advocacy and training space for African women to organize autonomously, identify issues of concern to them, speak and act for themselves. It builds female leadership capacities to influence policy and decision-making.

AMwA is governed by an International Executive Board of twelve women, which is chaired by the President. The organisation is led by an Executive Director.

In 2006, Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA) relocated its Head Office to Kampala, Uganda with a Sub-Regional Office for UK/Europe and is seeking a Regional Coordinator UK/Europe who, will oversee the UK/Europe Regional Programmes.

B THE POSITION – REGIONAL COORDINATOR, UK/EUROPE

Based in London, United Kingdom, AMwA’s Regional Coordinator, UK/Europe will work with the Executive Director to facilitate the identification, planning, development, implementation, leadership, achievement and spearheading of policy advocacy and programme initiatives relevant to African women, within the UK and Europe, in line with AMwA’s mission and objectives.

The Regional Coordinator, UK/Europe will head the UK/Europe Programme facilitate the identification, planning, development and implementation of policy advocacy and programme initiatives relevant to African women, within UK and Europe, in line with AMwA’s mission and objectives. AMwA’s work is guided by feminist principles and values; we are therefore seeking a committed feminist activist for this position. The Regional Coordinator, UK/Europe will be an innovator and a key player in the African women’s movement in UK/Europe with experience of working in a leadership and management capacity. She will bring with her a proven track record in leadership, fundraising, organisational development, management, research, advocacy, networking, the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders and excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

C JOB DESCRIPTION FOR AMwA REGIONAL COORDINATOR, UK/EUROPE

SUMMARY OF MAIN TASKS

o Develop and coordinate national, sub-regional and Europe wide leadership development programmes such as the African Women’s Leadership Institutes (AWLIs) and other capacity building interventions.
o Promote and uphold AMwA’s corporate image in UK and Europe and ensure effective communications with all stakeholders
o Implement effective policy intervention strategies on matters relevant to African women, in accordance with AMwA’s mission and objectives.
o Identify, implement and support research initiatives at international and national level as well as document and share key learning within and without the organisation on policy advocacy initiatives and the achievement of AMwA strategic objectives.
o Identify, develop, implement and coordinate policy and advocacy initiatives relevant to African women in the UK/Europe
o Facilitate the building of strong alliances, coalitions and networks of charity sector, voluntary sector, civil society, and the public sector and inter governmental agencies for concerted advocacy efforts and greater participation in policy dialogue.
o Write and disseminate timely reports on progress of the regional office’s work pertaining to the organisation’s monitoring and funding requirements.
o Lead the development of annual plans and budgets for AMwA’s UK/Europe programmes.
o Spearhead fundraising and resource mobilisation for AMwA’s UK/Europe programmes.
o Head the UK/Europe Office based in London and provide line management support to staff and take responsibility for all related staffing matters for the UK/Europe Programmes including recruitment, staff objective setting and appraisals, training and personnel development.
o As part of the management team, support Head Office in the identification, formulation, and implementation of AMwA programmes in Africa.
o Pursue a professional leadership style, grounded in feminist principles.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Requirements

* Post graduate degree
* Committed feminist activist /theory with a theoretical and practical understanding of feminism, gender, and development issues
* Communication, interpersonal, and writing skills
* Fundraising skills and experience
* Experience of working with regional and international institutions
* Experience in policy analysis, lobbying and advocacy
* UK Regional and international exposure as well as networking, lobbying, advocacy and campaign skills at a regional level
* An understanding of the complex contemporary issues facing African women in the Diaspora and challenges facing the African women’s movement
* Human Resource and Programme management experience
* 3 years working experience in a feminist organization(s)
* Ability to facilitate team work, to work unsupervised, to organize workload, set priorities and meet deadlines
* Attentive to detail with a desire to achieve work objectives
* Integrity, confidentiality and ability to accomplish tasks promptly with minimum supervision.
* Ability to work on own initiative, as well as part of a team, with minimum supervision, to organise workload, set priorities and meet deadlines.
* Ability to organize and oversee the coordination of programs within UK/Europe
* Ability to perform well under pressure.
* Mature personality, integrity and tolerance of diverse cultures and political opinions.
* Fluency and knowledge of at least 1 African language
* Ability to travel extensively as required, and willingness to work unsociable hours
* Advanced public speaking skills, and ability to represent AMwA at high profile activities/forums.

There is an attractive remuneration package of GBP 26, 409 to GBP 30,000 Per Annum dependent on qualifications and experience. It also includes a relocation package where appropriate. Applicants resident in the UK and Europe are encouraged to apply.

D APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Those who meet the above requirements should:

1. Fill and send the attached application form.

2. A complete, up to date detailed Curriculum Vitae that should include three references (the names, addresses and telephone contact numbers), one of whom should be your present or most recent employer. We will not approach your employer without your permission.

3. A detailed statement showing how you meet the essential and desirable criteria. The statement should also include information on how soon you would be able to take up the position if you where offered the post. We advise that you pay attention to writing this statement carefully because it will play a key role in the short-listing process.

4. A passport-sized photograph.

5. Two samples of work you have written.

Short listed candidates will be invited for a face to face or teleconference interview in London, United Kingdom not later than 4 weeks after the closing date. Deadline for applications is Monday 1st September 2008. We expect the post-holder to assume her post in November / December 2008 or as per agreement.

Applications should be sent to:

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,

AKINA MAMA wa AFRIKA

HEAD OFFICE:

PLOT 30 BUKOTO STREET,

KAMPALA

UGANDA, EAST AFRICA

P.O. BOX 24130 KAMPALA, UGANDA

Tel: +256 (0) 41 543 681 Fax: +256 (0) 414 543 683

Email: [email][email protected]

UK/EUROPE REGIONAL OFFICE:

UNIT 1B LEROY HOUSE,

436 ESSEX ROAD, ISLINGTON

LONDON N1 3QP

UNITED KINGDOM

Tel: +44 (0) 207 359 8252

Fax: +44 (0) 207 354 9015

Email: [email][email protected]

Closing date for applications is Monday 1st September 2008