AWJP | Ford Foundation WA GBV | Project Officer

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BACKGROUND

The AWJP WA GBV Reporting Fellowship is established by ICFJ with the support of  the Ford Foundation West African Office to build upon the ongoing Africa Women Journalism Project (AWJP) to connect a team of editors, data specialists, and designers with women journalists in three West African countries: Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal. The objective is to centre women and girls in the conversation and efforts to counter gender-based violence in the region. 


We are looking for a Project Officer for a period of 15 months to assume the overall responsibility for the management of the WA GBV Reporting Fellowship including strategic, programmatic and operational management and oversight. The Program Officer will be responsible for coordinating with the project management team to achieve a high level of project performance while ensuring compliance with the AWJP and funding partners’  policies and procedures. 

Working under the direction and supervision of the Program Manager, the Project Officer will ensure strong management of participants and Fellows, risk management and capacity development, which are the key components of grant performance. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensures strategic leadership, programme planning and execution of the WA GBV Fellowship focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Leads on the strategic planning and programme management of the AWJP | Ford Foundation West Africa GBV project in compliance with the policies, procedures, terms and conditions of the grant agreement with the Ford Foundation.
  • Provides quality and timely management of the project lifecycle, including meeting programmatic and financial deliverables;
  • Develops and monitors detailed implementation plans in partnership with the project manager, and in line with the Grant Budget and Performance Framework.
  • Fosters internal strategic discussions to develop a cohesive, organisation-wide approach to the implementation of the project and ensures programmatic performance will achieve or surpass AWJP’s commitments;
  • With the support of the Programme Manager ensures effective programmatic harmonisation and integration of the project into the overall AWJP strategy.
  • With the support  of the Programme Manager, supports in diagnosing risk assessment such as underperformance and bottlenecks, and ensures accountability correcting  action plans;
  • With the support  of the Programme Manager, liaises with the  functional areas and units to support the implementation of the project (i.e., programme and M&E, finance and procurement and supply management);
  • With the support of the Programme Manager, maintains an organisational structure to ensure the AWJP delivers its commitments on the project; and
  • Organizes weekly meetings  with AWJP and its partners on all areas of strategic implementation and donor communications related to the AWJP – ICFJ GBV West Africa project to ensure clear communication and collaboration.

 We also expect her to ensure proactive programme and financial oversight and risk management for the WA GBV  Reporting Fellowship project, focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Reviews budgets and actuals every month with the ICFJ team, taking into account the Ford Foundation reporting requirements for the project
  • With the support of the Programme Manager, supports timely and quality submissions of core documents and reports to the Ford Foundation.
  • Supervises and ensures accountability for Fellows contracting processes under the project including capacity assessments, agreements and related amendments;
  • Under the direction of the Programme Manager,  supports the Fellows and Mentors audits and ensures follow up on any recommendations pertaining to the contents produced by them.
  • Develops and completes regular reviews of the risk management matrix for the project
  • Supports the Programme Manager in engaging with in-country mentors and Fellows with monthly meetings.
  • Proactively identifies and pursues opportunities for the documentation and communication of best practices, programme results, and lessons learned under the project in collaboration with the AWJP team.
  • Any other duty assigned by the Programme Manager.

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies

  • Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work
  • Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow
  • People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
  • Communication: Ability to listen, think and adapt the project along with its needs.
  • Delivery: Ability to get things done, and ability to ask for help before the due date.
  • Technical / Functional Competencies: Understanding and practical experience of issues related to journalism, media and social determinants of GBV and the ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations
  • Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
  • Risk Management: Ability to identify and prioritize risks, and organize action around mitigating them
  • Knowledge Management and Communications: Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge 

Experience

  • At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in project management,  managing people, budgets and media-related programmes. 
  • Knowledge and experience working with media organisations or journalism-related projects is an asset. 

Language Requirements

  • Fluency in English, both written and oral.
  • Fluency in French, both written and oral is an asset but not mandatory.

Application Requirements

  • Applications Closed

AWJP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we encourage candidates of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, religion, disability status, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity to apply.