Programme Officer – Africa Freedom of Information Centre

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03/08/2018
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Programme Officer - Africa Freedom of Information Centre

Recruitment of Programme Officer

Job Description and Invitation for applicants

Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) is a Pan-African, membership civil society organisation and resource centre that promotes the Right of Access to Information (RTI) and Freedom of Expression (FoE) across Africa through comparative research, capacity strengthening, technical support to national advocacy as well as leading continental and global advocacy, monitoring treaty compliance and implementation, facilitating information-sharing and network development.

AFIC and its members and partners have been successful in influencing or using regional and international mechanisms to address national, regional and international challenges to promote freedom of expression and citizens’ right of access to information. Some of the results are, but not exclusively, the adoption of African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) Resolution 222 on the expansion of Declaration of Principles of Freedom of Expression to include access to information and the Declaration of September 28, as International Day for Universal Access to Information by the UNESCO General Assembly. Moreover, AFIC has successfully engaged ACHPR and Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanisms through provision of shadow reports on the situation of freedom of expression and access to information in Malawi, Angola, Namibia, Kenya, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, among others. This work has provided a substantial legal framework for national and local advocacy efforts in advancing the Right to Information.

Since 2014, AFIC has been developing and applying models on how access to information applies to different sectors and spheres such as public contracting, gender, environment and natural resources and anticorruption. This has created a tremendous understanding and impact on access to information as a problem solving and community empowerment tool for citizens.

AFIC is looking for a self-motivated and result oriented Programme Officer to join a dynamic team in the implementation of a project; “Improving social service delivery to citizens through open contracting in Uganda”. Open contracting principles are based on disclosure of public procurement information and citizens’ participation in all stages of the public contracting process. With the objectives:

-    To improve government responsiveness to citizens demand for public procurement information

-    To enhance citizens’ demand for public procurement information

-    To enhance government’s responsiveness towards citizens’ feedbacks on public procurement accountability issues

The project will implement activities at both national and district level (Kabale, Kanungu, Ntungamo, Nebbi, Packwach and Mbarara).

 

  1. Position and services:

Under the supervision of the Senior Programme Officer, the Project Officer will focus on the implementation of AFIC’s strategic plan through access to information, awareness raising, capacity building, comparative research and advocacy.

The Project Officer, will perform the following responsibilities:

  1. Develop and implement Right to Information and social accountability programmes and activities in Uganda in line with AFIC’s strategic plan
  2. Implement existing programme on access to information and social accountability
  3. Develop and implement RTI awareness raising and capacity building programmes for public servants, civil society and journalists;
  4. Document and disseminate key experiences and lessons from AFIC’s RTI and social accountability initiatives through online and offline platforms
  5. Support the implementation of AFIC’s communication strategy
  6. Ensure timely planning, budgeting and reporting
  7. Coordinate with members and partners on activities where AFIC’s support is needed
  8. Support national advocacy and programming
  9. Support research and knowledge building activities
  10. In collaboration with partners, produce and provide national, regional and international mechanisms with shadow reports on the state of access to information implementation and institutionalisation in Uganda and other monitoring reports
  11. Provide opinion on ongoing online and other debates around RTI
  12. Conduct a comparative study to assess the impact of access to information ahead of citizens’ engagement in accountability platforms and mechanisms;

 

  1. Person specifications

 

  1. Education and Experience:
  • Postgraduate training in International Development, Programme Management, Social Sciences, Political Science, Public Administration, Media or Communications Studies or Humanities, or a related field;
  • At least three years relevant experience in human rights, access to information, social accountability, open contracting project programming and implementation;
  • Experience of programme planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation and reporting within a nongovernmental organisation;
  • Experience in advocacy, training, capacity building, coaching and mentoring;
  • Practical experience in advocacy, constructive engagement and research;
  • Experience or understanding of gender programming will be an added advantage
  • Experience working with multi-stakeholder processes, civil society and government agencies is an added advantage
  1. Skills:
  • Excellent communication skills in both verbal and written English
  • Strong writing skills
  • Cross cultural sensitivity and good interpersonal skills
  • Competent PC user, particularly word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail and the Internet.
  1. Abilities (will be able to):
  • Prioritise work and take initiatives within agreed guidelines and set deadlines
  • Work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team
  • Communicate sensitively with colleagues, government representatives, partners, donors agencies, civil society organisations, members of the public and supporters of AFIC
  • Work accurately and in detail particularly under pressure of deadlines and maintain reliable projects files
  • Proficiency in relevant languages other than English (eg Runyakitara, Ateso, Luganda, Lugbara, Luo, Swahili, N'Karamojong, Runyoloro/Rutooro and Lugisu) will be a plus.
  • Bias in mainstreaming gender into programming
  1. Duration The position is for an initial period of 17 months from September 2018 to January 2020

 

  1. Probation: All appointments are offered subject to satisfactory completion of a probationary period of three months.

 

  1. Location: The position is based in Kampala, Uganda with anticipated frequent travels within Uganda.

 

  1. Compensation:

 

AFIC offers a competitive salary and for a reasonable standard of living. Compensation and benefits are dependent on professional background and experience.

 

The Africa Freedom of Information Centre is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to celebrating all forms diversity. Women and People living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

 

  1. Application documents

 

Interested and qualifying candidates should send an application letter and curriculum vitae (not more than 3 pages) with at least three professional references and their present contact.

 

  1. Recruiting process

AFIC posted the call for application on its website on the 3rd of August, 2018 inviting interested applicants to address their applications to; Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC), P.O. Box 35643, Kampala.

 

The deadline for applications to be received is 17th August 2018 at 5.00 p.m.

Applications should be sent to the following address sarah@afic.eabwmedia.com coping in info@afic.eabwmedia.com

All sent application will receive an e-mail receipt acknowledgement.

Applications will be reviewed in line with the above listed specifications and pre-selected candidates will be invited for an interview at AFIC’s premises. Due to a high amount of applications, AFIC will not notify non shortlisted candidates.

Interviews of shortlisted candidates will be conducted by a panel that will assess candidates’ knowledge and experience to best fulfill the position. The best-candidate will be contacted and offered the position subject to acceptance of terms and conditions. unsuccessful candidates that were invited for the interview will be notified.