About

Africa Director

ONE is a campaign and advocacy organization backed by two million people from around the world and every walk of life who are committed to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. We aim to hold world leaders to account for the promises made and we press them to support better policies and more effective aid and trade reform. We also work with African leaders to support greater democracy, accountability and transparency.
 
We are looking for an Africa Director to lead our campaigning and advocacy work across the continent. This role will be crucial in maintaining our engagement and dialogue with key high level leaders in sub-Saharan African government, civil society, the private sector and the media and supporting our wider work influencing G8/20 governments to maintain their commitments to the Millennium Development Goals.

The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of the international development agenda, and substantial advocacy and lobbying experience within this sector at a very senior level.  The candidate will also possess outstanding strategic thinking, analytical, planning and communications skills; experience of managing people and budgets within a global organisation, and will be a strong collaborator and team player with a deep commitment to ONE’s goals and priorities.
 
Reports to: Co-Founder & Executive Director
Location: This role will be based in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the exact location to be decided.   Frequent international travel will be required.

Principal Responsibilities

  • Lead ONE’s advocacy work with sub-Saharan Africa government, African institutions and civil society, securing high level partnerships and representing ONE in high level dialogue with key leaders on substantive policy issues
  • Initiate, develop and oversee the implementation of a strategy for ONE’s African stakeholder engagement
  • Build and maintain executive level, strategic working relationships with the leadership of African institutions including the African Union and the Africa Development Bank, African governments, private sector organisations, the media and civil society groups  
  • Engage African leadership in effective dialogue to ensure their input into the development of ONE’s key policy, campaigning and advocacy areas
  • As a member of the ONE leadership team, participate in the development of the organisation’s strategic priorities
  • Work closely with other senior directors in the organisation to ensure that ONE’s policy, campaigns and media products have highly credible African content
  • Secure access for ONE to high level strategic meetings, conferences and events for example ADB Annual Meetings, AU Heads of State Meetings and other high level engagements, representing ONE at these meetings
  • Manage a small team and budget


Skills and competence required for the role (candidates should demonstrate how their experience meets these in their application):

  • Substantial experience of working in sub-Saharan Africa in a senior level position within international development, civil society, media or government
  • Extensive high level contacts among key African leaders  and/or their advisors
  • A global outlook with a clear understanding of the mechanisms of Western and African political markets and the relationships between these markets
  • Significant understanding of the international development environment with specific experience of working with leaders within the African private sector, African civil society organisations and African government
  • Experience of working on the ground within developed and developing countries
  • Outstanding analytical, interpersonal, and written and oral communication skills
  • Highly proficient at establishing strong partnerships across organizations and influencing stakeholders to achieve optimal outcomes
  • Experience of strategic leadership and organisational wide development
  • A commitment to ONE’s policy priorities and a clear understanding of the links between policy, lobbying, campaigning and media work and of how policy change can be achieved through effective advocacy
  • The gravitas and judgment to represent ONE at high level meetings and conferences
  • Ability to manage competing priorities in a rapidly changing environment
  • Experience managing people and team work performance
  • Experience of remote working and taking the initiative
  • Fluent English essential and a working knowledge of one or more of French, Portuguese, Arabic desirable.  


Deadline for applications: 12.00pm BST, Monday 30th November 2009

For more information, including details on the application process, please contact Tina Ajuonuma, European Operations Manager:  tina.ajuonuma@one.org or +44(0)20 7434 7550.