Program Officer Job – National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda (NUWODU)

Job Title:   Program Officer – Civic Space   

Organisation: National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda (NUWODU)

Duty Station:  Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Programs Manager

About US:

National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda (NUWODU) is an indigenous women –led Disabled Peoples Organization. It is an umbrella Organization that was formed in 1999 with the overall purpose of bringing together all categories of girls and women with disabilities including the physically, sensory, and mentally impaired women.

About AWESOME Project:

NUWODU is implementing a 5 year project (2021-2025) of Advancing Women’s Engagement: Strengthening Opportunities to Mobilise for Equality (AWESOME) in Teso sub Region. The project is implemented in the districts of Amuria and Katakwi.

Job Summary:  The Program Officer – Civic Space will be responsible for ensuring that the organization plays a crucial role in promoting an enabling legal, policy and actual environment for women and girls with disabilities’ participation in shaping their societies in Uganda.

He/she will be responsible for the development of policy documents on freedom of expression and freedom of information related issues, the analysis of laws related to freedom of expression, and freedom of information, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, right to privacy, public participation and laws regulating and affecting civil society engagement vis a vis their conformity with the international and regional standards.

He/she will oversee research and monitoring of new developments and trends relevant to the above rights; lead lower, national and regional advocacy; support district, national, and regional litigation on these issues, represent the organization at conferences and meetings; and oversee the development and delivery of trainings on freedom of expression and freedom of information and other incidental rights standards to local and regional stakeholders.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Developing and implementing all the activities within the civic space and Leadership area including but not limited to minority rights, peaceful protests, and assembly.
• Preparation of the annual work plans and coordinating the same under civic space, including effective project planning, budget management and narrative and financial reporting and evaluation.
• Overseeing and ensuring monitoring and research of legal and policy developments related to freedom of expression and freedom of information and civic space in the Uganda region including the development of a library of regional laws and policies on freedom of expression and other relevant materials.
• Undertaking and ensuring district and national advocacy on laws and policies affecting and incidental to civic space to the East countries within the region.
• Overseeing the development and delivery of trainings for lawyers, media workers, civil society activists, human rights defenders, minority groups and other stakeholders in the region and enhancing their capacity to apply international standards in their work.
• Take the lead in fundraising for the civic space activities in conjunction with the Project Manager.
• Engage and strengthen partnerships relevant to Strengthening community Led Actions on civic space advocacy while applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools, and approaches.
• Contributing to the organization’s publications and web resources – both in Uganda, Eastern Africa region and in general.
• Working closely with other team members to develop as appropriate, projects that advance the goals and objectives of the organisation including providing input to budgets and reporting back to donors.
• Undertake other duties commensurate with the role as may reasonably be assigned by the Supervisor.

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Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The applicant must hold a Bachelor’s Degree level or equivalent with post-graduate qualification in human rights, law, African studies, international relations, political science, media, communication, or other relevant field being an added advantage.
• Five years of experience in policy work, monitoring, advocacy and/or campaigning work in the human rights sector.
• Three years of experience of managing budgets and projects on civic space.
• Experience of working with partner organisations.
• Experience of working in a cross-cultural environment.
• Familiarity with human rights, freedom of expression and/or democratization issues in Eastern Africa
• Familiarity with international and regional mechanisms for promoting and protecting human rights.
• Knowledge of politics and societies in Eastern Africa.
• Able to operate on own initiative with demonstrable time-management skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Analytical and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent project management and administration skills (including financial management and reporting);
• Excellent research and report writing skills
• Excellent writing and presentation and advocacy skills.
• Excellent communication skills and sensitivity in working with people from various cultural and social backgrounds.
• Ability to work under pressure, with little administrative support and to meet strict deadlines.
• Experience of working in an NGO environment.
• Experience with civil society capacity-building, including training.
• Previous experience in the human rights advocacy field.
• Experience of writing/editing publications
• Strong planning, organization, and administrative skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Well-developed follow through ability
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send a letter of motivation and detailed 2–3 page Curriculum Vitae which should indicate at least 3 professional referees for reference and follow up. Please clearly emphasize the position you are applying for in the subject line of the email. All applications should be submitted via email to nuwodu@gmail.com and addressed to;

Chairperson Personnel Committee,

National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda,

Plot 2015 Kisaasi-Kyanja road,

P.O. Box 24891, Kampala, Uganda.

Note:

• Qualified women and girls with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.
• Only shortlisted candidates shall be notified.

Deadline: 27th January 2023, 5 pm East African Time