Staff Vacancies at the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC)

The The Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) has vacancies for the positions of a Coordinator and a Programme Officer at its office in Lagos.

AFIC is a regional Centre established in September 2006 by a network of Freedom of Information advocates in Africa with a mandate to provide technical assistance to civil society organizations in the region involved in various stages of Freedom of Information work, including the drafting of access to information bills, advocacy for their passage into Law, implementation, litigation and monitoring activities.  The Centre is managed by the Africa Freedom of Information Trust, a non-profit entity registered under Nigerian Laws.  The Centre has staff vacancies for a Coordinator and a Programme Officer.  More details of these positions are provided below:

 AFIC COORDINATOR POSITION: JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Information
Institution: African Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC)
Job title: Coordinator
Duration: Initial one year full time with three months probation
Duty station: Lagos, Nigeria
Entry date: As soon as possible
Deadline for applications: June 10, 2008

Under the supervision of the Africa Freedom of Information Centre Steering Committee, the Coordinator is responsible for the general coordination, implementation and management of AFIC programs, projects and operations. This includes financial, operational and staff management in addition to inputting and coordinating the Centre’s programmatic work. The position also involves networking with key stakeholders and fundraising for the organization.

Specific responsibilities include:
 

Management and Coordination

• Staff management, including recruitment, hiring, training, monitoring and support of the Centre’s staff;

• Support the activities of the Centre’s Steering Committee through policy research, moderating discussions, and sharing information on key issues, as required;

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Centre, including: supporting programs, policy research, advocacy activities, publications, website, training activities, networking, publicity and awareness-raising;

• Manage all legal and financial aspects of the Centre’s operations.

Fundraising and Finance

• Prepare, administer, monitor and report annual organizational budgets and project budgets;

• Research, develop and engage in outreach strategies to identify, foster and advance potential funding opportunities;

• Develop and distribute funding proposals to potential funders; Initiate and maintain contact with funders;

• Effective administration and reporting of any funds received

• Overseeing all financial operations of the Centre

• Regular meetings with the Financial Officer to ensure accurate records of all expenditures, deposits and transfers;

• Provide reports, responses to inquiries, and grant histories as may be requested.

• Oversee annual financial audit

Research and Outreach

• Research, identify and conduct outreach to potential NGO partners, members, researchers, academics, funders, policy makers and others who are active in the area of Freedom of Information;

• Facilitate networking and information exchange among members, other organisations and individuals working in the Freedom of Information field;

• Develop and monitor MOU’s and TOR’s with all members and partner organizations;

• Prepare materials for Annual General Meetings and Steering Committee in-person meetings;

• Attend meetings and conferences as a representative of the AFIC;

• Contribute to event report writing and development of action plans.

Communications, Resource Centre and New Projects

• Issuing of Press Releases on development of FoI in Africa;

• Maintainance, Feeding and Updating of the AFIC website;

• Developing new projects and the Resource centre;

• Undertake other tasks necessary to achieve the overall purpose of the post or as may be directed by the Steering Committee that contribute to achieving the highest profile for the Centre.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Interest in progressive issues and commitment to public interest work.

• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, perform effectively under pressure, and to practice strong organizational skills when faced with multiple time-sensitive priorities and deadlines.

• Proven ability to independently identify and solve problems

• Excellent interpersonal skills;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills;

• Attention to detail, good judgment and strategic thinking;

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office required (particularly Word and Excel) and Internet;

• Willingness and ability to travel to diverse countries and work outside regular business hours when necessary;

• Proficiency in written and spoken English while a good working knowledge of written and spoken French or Portuguese would be a considerable asset.

• Expected to carry out his/her duties with a high level of autonomy and minimum supervision, in line with AFIC’s financial and administrative regulations.

 Education and Experience

• Postgraduate (or First degree plus relevant experience) degree in Law, Political Science, Public Administration, International Development, Media or Communications Studies or Humanities, or related filed;

• 5+ years related experience working in an international organization OR working on public interest advocacy campaigns.

• Understanding and experience working on Access to information would be an asset

• Experience with NGO and/or program management, including: financial, legal, administrative, programmatic and human resources management;

• Knowledge and demonstrated interest in Freedom of information or access to information, and human rights would be an asset

• Leadership experience would be an asset

• Experience of living and working in Africa.

Duration: This is a one-year contract renewable.

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

Location: The position is based in Lagos, Nigeria, with anticipated frequent travel within and outside the country.

Compensation:
All salaries are based on local levels but are competitive and offer a good standard of living in Nigeria. 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 candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

To Apply: Please send a cover letter and current resume, as well as the names of two referees by close of business (16.00 GMT) on Monday, June 10, 2008  exclusively by email to: afic@mediarightsagenda.org with the subject heading: Coordinator, AFIC. Please be sure to mention where you found information about this post. No phone calls please.

***************************************************************************

AFIC Programme Officer: Job Description

Position Information

Institution: African Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC)
Job title: Programme Officer
Duration: Initial one year full time with three months probation
Duty station: Lagos, Nigeria
Entry date: As soon as possible
Deadline for applications: June 10, 2008

Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator, the focus of the Programme Officer post is to provide support in ways that enable projects and programmes to deliver the highest quality of intervention possible.

MAIN TASKS
 

þ     To provide support and relevant advice to ensure the successful implementation of projects, programmes and activities;

þ     To assist with the production of written materials, including the administering, and editing of contracts;
To work closely with the Coordinator and the Steering Committee to ensure that funds are utilised in the most effective way;

þ     To be fully conversant with, and to contribute to AFIC’s strategy, with particular regard to analysing and evaluating new and existing projects based on visits and on written proposals, progress reports and accounts;

þ     To make new contacts and develop new initiatives in line with AFIC’s strategy for growth and development;

þ     To research and make applications to institutional funding agencies, under the supervision of the Coordinator or the Steering Committee;

þ     To ensure that all applications are followed up as appropriate;

þ     To ensure that detailed reports are submitted to institutional funding agencies in a timely manner;

þ     To contribute to the development of AFIC’s policy in consultation with partners and colleagues, and when appropriate to prepare and present policy papers;

þ     To develop the communications, the resource centre and new projects

þ     To assist in the development of policy and in the monitoring and evaluation of projects;

þ     To maintain links with members and other relevant organizations working on FoI and Access to information;

þ     To prepare annual budget proposals and schedules of events for consideration by the Coordinator and the Steering Committee;

þ     To occasionally undertake speaking engagements and media work and to participate in education and information sharing workshops and conferences;

þ     To contribute to the annual General Assembly meeting and any other meetings as required;

þ     To keep the Coordinator informed of all developments;

þ     To assist with drafting of press releases on FoI developments in Africa;

þ     To maintain, feed and update the AFIC website;

þ     To assist with publications and Newsletters;

þ     To undertake other tasks necessary to achieve the overall purpose of the post or as may be directed by the Coordinator or the Steering Committee.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

þ     Postgraduate (or First degree plus relevant experience) degree in Law, Political Science, Public Administration, International Development, Media or Communications Studies or Humanities, or related filed;

þ     Must have at least three years relevant experience in project management, preferably in a similar post.

þ     Experience of programme planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation and reporting within a non-governmental organization

þ     Experience of providing support, training and capacity building to partners.

þ     Practical experience of preparing proposals and reports for institutional donors

þ     Experience of living and working in Africa.

Skills:

þ     Excellent communication skills in both verbal and written English.

þ     Cross cultural sensitivity and good interpersonal skills.

þ     Basic knowledge of the African continent

þ     Competent PC user, particularly word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail and the Internet.

Abilities
Will be able to:

þ     Prioritise work and take initiatives within agreed guidelines and set deadlines

þ     Work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team

þ     Communicate sensitively with colleagues, partners, donor agencies, NGOs, members of the public and supporters of AFIC

þ     Work accurately and in detail particularly under pressure of deadlines and maintain reliable projects files

þ     Proficiency in relevant languages other than English (e.g. French or Portuguese) will be a plus

Duration: This is a one-year contract renewable.

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

Location: The positions are based in Lagos, Nigeria, with anticipated frequent travels within and outside the country.

Compensation:

All salaries are based on local levels but are competitive and offer a good standard of living in Nigeria. 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 candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

To Apply: Please send a cover letter and current resume, as well as the names of two referees by the close of business (16.00 GMT) on Monday, June 10, 2008  exclusively by email to: afic@mediarightsagenda.org with the subject heading: Programme Officer, AFIC. Please be sure to mention where you found information about this post. No phone calls please.