PROGRAM MANAGER

POSITION:
PROGRAM MANAGER,
UHAI: The East African Health & Sexual Rights Initiative

Deadline: February 12, 2009
Start Date: March 02, 2009
Work Station: Nairobi, Kenya

I. ABOUT AKIBA UHAKI
Akiba Uhaki, the Human Rights and Social Justice Fund, is a regional grantmaking organization dedicated to supporting and accompanying human rights and social justice related organizations in East Africa. The Fund envisions “A just world in which all people enjoy human rights and live in dignity.” Its mission is to be a proactive and innovative grant-making institution working to promote and strengthen human rights inclusive of social justice. Akiba Uhaki espouses and at all times aspires to be guided by, advocate for and adhere to the human rights principles of accountability, empowerment, non-discrimination, participation and express application of the international legal (human rights) framework. For more details visit our website at www.akibauhaki.org.


II. ABOUT UHAI:
‘UHAI’: the East African Sexual Health and Rights Initiative (EASHRI) is a new grant‐making initiative of Akiba Uhaki, which aims to provide flexible, accessible resources to support civil society activism around issues of sexuality, health and human rights in the East African region (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi). It has a particular focus on the rights of sexual minorities. ‘UHAI’ aims to build a strong, diverse and organized movement for change, and to enhance the knowledge and expertise of donors supporting sexual rights in East Africa.

III. JOB SUMMARY
 Strategy Development: The Program Manager will identify opportunities for UHAI: The East African Sexual Rights & Health Initiative to expand its work on sexual health and rights issues throughout East Africa. This may include exploratory missions across East Africa, attending conferences and donor meetings, strategy development, outreach to allied communities, and leveraging funding from additional sources.
 Policy Analysis: The Program Manager will author reports and advocacy documents on issues related to sexual health and rights—especially focused on the needs of sex workers and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Intersex communities (LGBTI). These will include news briefs on UHAI’s work in this area, press statements on issues affecting constituents, and analysis of legal and legislative developments related to the sexual health and rights of socially marginalized populations in East Africa.

Advocacy:

The Program Manager will conduct advocacy on behalf of grantees and constituents with government and donor agencies. This will include advocating for a human rights approach to sexual health and rights policies and laws in East Africa. UHAI prioritizes leadership by sexual minorities in developing and implementing the services and advocacy efforts that impact their lives.

· Capacity Building and Technical Assistance:
The Program Manager will help ensure that sexually/socially marginalized populations have access to appropriate health and social care services.

This will include identifying funding opportunities for grantees working in this area, representing UHAI and its grantees at national and regional forums relevant to HIV and sexual health and rights, overseeing the development of trainings, and managing consultants to provide capacity building support.

· Community Organizing:
The Program Manager will promote grassroots community efforts to mobilize marginalized populations to advocate for their rights and to gain access to health and social care services. This will include identifying and establishing relationships with key leaders within marginalized populations who can effectively organize and grow social change movements as well as establish appropriate linkages with stakeholder groups including human rights, government, health and social care providers.

Grant Management:
The Program Manager will oversee the work of a portfolio of UHAI grantees and constituents providing sexual health and rights services and advocacy in East Africa. These efforts will include development of grant management systems, conducting monitoring visits, preparing reports for SHARP, ensuring quality and consistency of programs, and assisting grantees with monitoring and evaluation.

Administrative management: ensure preparation for Board meetings, prepare all annual reports, manage UHAI’s human resources, co-ordinate workplans for grant making process and provide long term technical and administrative management for tasks related to grant making, co-ordinate all UHAI’s programs and projects and in liaison with the Executive Director organize regular staff meetings and annual staff retreats and thereafter drive the implementation of agreed plans.

IV. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

· A degree in public health, public policy, human services, law or social sciences.
· Five years of experience in advocacy or direct service delivery related to sexual health and rights and/or HIV and AIDS, at least three years of which should be in East Africa.
· Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to human rights approaches to promoting sexual health and rights.
· Familiarity with grants management, program design, budget management, and monitoring and evaluation with grassroots organizations in East Africa.
· Demonstrated experience in financial and human resource management
· Excellent oral and written communications skills in English. Proficiency in French and Swahili will be an added advantage.
· Demonstrated skills in presentations, research, writing, communications and media work.
· Demonstrable analytic and strategic thinking skills
· Strong organizational and management skills with attention to detail. Sensitivity, flexibility, tolerance and ability to listen and communicate clearly and effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
· Ability to work effectively both independently (without detailed daily supervision) and as a member of a team, on a wide range of tasks.
· Discretion and ability to handle confidential issues.
· Willingness to travel within the East African region and internationally.
· Knowledge of the following issues highly desired: sex worker health and rights; LGBTI health and rights; migrant rights; public health best practices; PLHA rights, human rights; and labor rights.

V. COMPENSATION

Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience and ability.

VI. APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and salary history to:
The Selection Committee
UHAI: The East Africa Sexual Health and Rights Initiative
C/o Akiba Uhaki Foundation
PO Box 27611 – 00100
Nairobi
Email: info@akibauhaki.org
Tel: +254 020 2441204/2441196

Akiba Uhaki is an equal opportunity employer and applicants are invited from all the East African countries.

Shortlisted applicants will be informed by February 16, 2009 while interviews will be conducted on February 23, 2009.