Human Rights Project Officer: Trócaire
Ngo & Social Services Jobs
Job Description
The Zimbabwe Country Office falls within Trócaire’s programme portfolio of countries where human rights and democratic space are contested. This is one of three thematic/country classifications that encompass Trocaire’s global programme
The Zimbabwe country programme addresses the following themes:
(i) Defending Human Rights and Promoting Access to Justice
(ii) Climate and Environmental Justice
(iii) Supporting Women and Girls’ Protection, Voice, and Leadership, and,
(iv) Saving Lives and Protecting Human Dignity.
Trocaire’s rights-based approach, partnership model, commitment to localisation, accountability, and the triple nexus, underpin each programme area.
The Zimbabwe programme team consists of 5 staff members with different but complementary responsibilities. The team is led by the Programme Manager.
Background to the role
As part of its’ work in defending human rights and democracy, Trócaire seeks a full-time Project Officer to support the manage and implementation of a donor-funded project focused on ‘Enhancing the Promotion of Civil and Political Rights in Zimbabwe. Trócaire leads a consortium of 11 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) implementing the project.
As a member of the Human Rights Project Team, and collaborating with advisors and finance staff, the post-holder will provide management support for the implementation of the project, and engage with the consortium partners, donors, and other stakeholders. Additionally, the post-holder will contribute to effective grant management, ensuring compliance with donor contractual requirements, and similarly between Trocaire and the implementing partners.
Scope of the role
Trocaire and its’ local partners have a history of significant human rights programming in recent years. This project is specifically designed to continue to defend human rights and civil society space in Zimbabwe, in the context of a challenging and potentially deteriorating and volatile environment, inimical to human rights defence and promotion.
A consortium of 11 leading CSOs led by Trócaire seeks to contribute to effective civic action to claim and defend human rights as set out in the 2013 Constitution by supporting citizens and organised citizen groups to exercise their rights, and, where necessary, challenge duty-bearers to respect and protect human rights. Importantly, this includes reducing barriers to gender equality, and equipping CSOs to sustain their work in the longer-term. The project will give priority to advancing gender equality by integrating Trócaire’s women’s empowerment approach across all project activities and partnership approaches.
As a member of the Human Rights Project Team, and collaborating with advisors and finance staff, the post-holder will provide management support for the implementation of the project, and engage with the consortium partners, donors, and other stakeholders. Additionally, the post-holder will contribute to effective grant management, ensuring compliance with donor contractual requirements, and similarly between Trocaire and the implementing partners.
In addition, this role will work with Trocaire Zimbabwe’s Human Rights Advisor, MEL Advisor, Regional Business and Grants Manager (RBD&GM), and the Finance and Admin, Team, to provide oversight and partner support during project implementation, reviews, evaluations, and closeout.
Reporting to: Human rights Project Manager
Managing (individuals/team): None
Contract type: Fixed term
Contract duration: Two years (renewable)
Grade: Zimbabwe Local Staff Salary Grade
Location: Harare, with frequent travel to the project areas.
Safeguarding programme participants
Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants, and other organisational representatives. Any candidate offered a job with Trócaire will be expected to sign Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policies and Global Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. All offers of employment will be subject to pre-employment checks including satisfactory references and appropriate screening. Trócaire also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and all employees will be subject to this as part of contract of employment.
Duties and Responsibilities
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Programme Development, Implementation, Management, and Monitoring
Manage all aspects of the project cycle from baseline to the end line evaluation as agreed with the Human Rights Programme Manager
Provide accompaniment to partners on all aspects of civil society strengthening initiatives.
Review all partner reports, ensuring that they meet the expected standard against Trócaire’s Results Based Management (RBM) system and donor requirements, and provide feedback to partners in a timely manner.
Manage all project related information management on Trócaire’s platforms (Salesforce and Agresso).
In collaboration with the MEL Officer, oversee all M&E aspects of the project.
Prepare quality project narrative reports meeting submission deadlines.
Carry out regular field trips to partners and communities to ensure ongoing oversight of the programme.
Facilitate learning amongst partners and ensure that this is captured and shared, including with colleagues in Trócaire.
Implement all administrative procedures in relation to project management to a high standard.
Contribute to broader civil society and related policy and advocacy positions for Trócaire.
Partner Relations and Support
Manage all implementing partners in line with Trócaire’s Partnership Policy and Charter.
Contribute to partner capacity assessments and facilitate development and implementation of capacity building action plans.
In collaboration with the Project Manager and Organisational Development Advisor (ODA), build partner capacity on Safeguarding and ensure partners comply with Trócaire minimum requirements and relevant policies on Safeguarding and other requirements as necessary.
Hold partner meetings focusing on planning, monitoring, and review of the project results, as well as learning and advocacy.
Programme Administration and Finance
With the Programme Accountant, produce regular cash flow forecasts, monitor, and review partner budgets, disbursements, and financial reports.
Manage the approval processes for grant agreements and other project activities requiring Trocaire sign-off.
Ensure all project-related information management is up to date on the project Management Information System (MIS).
Institutional Funding
Ensure that all institutional funding for the programme is managed in line with the donor’s requirements
Ensure that partners are trained and supported to manage all donor and grant related compliance.
Manage all donor related reporting-both financial and narrative.
Networking
Participate in relevant thematic project management and working groups, networks and learning forums, to improve project advocacy learning, sharing, and impact.
Teamwork & Collaboration
Work collaboratively with the human rights project team - and broader Trocaire programme team - to contribute to the achievement of broader organisational goals.
Actively engage in integrated programming with other team members and be open to learning and adjustments as lessons are learnt during project implementation.
Behavioural Competencies in Line with Trócaire’s Competency Framework
Leading: Reflecting our values of Participation & Accountability, acts to inspire and lead others to achieve their potential, demonstrating Trócaire’s values with integrity to achieve our organisation’s objectives.
Communicating: Reflecting our value of Participation, being one organisation, communicating clearly and transparently across, teams, units, divisions, locations, and other external organisations. Getting our message across with impact.
Collaborating: Reflecting our values of Participation & Solidarity, partnering effectively as One Trócaire organisation and, in solidarity, maintains positive relationships built on trust and respect.
Stewardship of Resources: Reflecting our value of Accountability and decision-making around the best use of resources. Using our resources transparently, sustainably, ethically, fairly & with integrity; acknowledging Trócaire’s reputation in the use of resources.
Delivering Results: Reflecting our values of Accountability & Perseverance, getting a quality job done through effective performance, planning and decision-making.
Continual Improvement & Learning: Reflecting our values of Participation & Courage, constantly looking to learn and develop self, employees, and partners to better fulfil Trócaire’s’ mission.
Flexibility & Change: Reflecting our values of Participation & Courage, adapts positively to change and to different ways of doing things; manages or takes part in change processes in a way that is appropriate to role in the organisation
Qualifications and Experience
Requirements
Qualifications
Third level qualification (preferably Masters) in law, development studies, international relations, social sciences, or another relevant field.
Experience
Minimum 3 years’ experience in human rights programming, preferably in a Southern African context.
At least 3 years’ experience managing a project or programme through the project/programme cycle.
Minimum 3 years’ experience working on development projects/ programmes within a partnership model.
Proven experience in managing institutional funding (such as EU, FCDO, SIDA, Irish Aid).
Demonstrable skills in report writing.
Skills
Excellent facilitation skills and experience of applying them when working with individual partners or groups of partners.
Excellent written, oral and presentational communication skills ( for purposes of reporting, advocacy and sharing learning).
Fluent in English and atleast one of the local languages.
Qualities
Team player with strong commitment to working with others to achieve mutual objectives.
Availability and flexibility to work outside normal hours when necessary.
Strong commitment to respect of human rights, democracy, women’s empowerment, and gender equality.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Coordination skills.
Excellent organiser.
Other
Empathy with the ethos of Trócaire as a Catholic organisation.
Ability and willingness to travel to the field on a regular basis.
Benefits
For the candidate with the required experience, motivation, and passion for the role, Trócaire offers a competitive salary and benefits package.
Deadline for applications is COB 12 August 2022
