Programs Officer 615 views

Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Recruitment of Programs Officer
Job Title: Programs Officer
Grade: E1
Application Deadline: 15th November 2024 at 23:59 GMT
Start Date: Immediate
Term: Fulltime (40hrs per week)
Hire Type: Contract (2 years with possibility of extension).
Location: Gambia Participates office, Kololi
Required Language(s): English
Reports to: Programs Manager

 Background
Gambia Participates (GP) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) committed to strengthening governance within and beyond The Gambia. Established with a commitment to promoting a vibrant democracy, the organization has been contributing towards empowering citizens and civil society organizations (CSOs) to actively participate in shaping the nation’s socio-political and economic landscape. At the heart of Gambia Participates’ mission is the belief that an informed and engaged citizenry is vital for the growth and development of a nation. The organization works towards advancing the principles of good governance, accountability, and social justice. As one of the fastest-growing organizations in the civic space, GP is dedicated to making significant strides toward good governance and accountability.

Job Summary
The Programs Officer will play a critical role in the development, implementation, and monitoring of GP’s projects. The officer will coordinate with stakeholders, ensure timely project delivery, and contribute to the organization’s mission by developing impactful programs aligned with transparency, anti-corruption, and public accountability objectives.

Key Responsibilities
The Programs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Program Management:
• Design, implement, and manage GP’s programs, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Develop work plans, timelines, and budgets to guide program activities. • Ensure all projects meet donor and organizational reporting requirements. Proposal Writing and Resource Mobilization:
• One of the core mandate of the PO is Business development. The PO will be responsible for developing proposals and source funding opportunities
• Mobilizing and maintain donor support and partnerships
• Collaborate with the finance team to ensure accurate budgeting in proposals. Stakeholder Engagement:
• Collaborate with government institutions, CSOs, media, and international partners to promote transparency and governance reforms.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including donors and community-based organizations (CBOs).

Advocacy and Communication:
• Lead public awareness campaigns on key issues such as anti-corruption, elections, and good governance.
• Support the development of advocacy strategies and policy recommendations. • Represent GP in external forums, conferences, and meetings. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL):
• Develop and implement MEL frameworks to track the progress and impact of programs.
• Conduct periodic evaluations and produce programmatic reports.

• Identify lessons learned and recommend improvements for future programming.

Capacity Building:
• Facilitate training and workshops for staff, CSOs, journalists, and other stakeholders on relevant topics.
• Support internal capacity-building initiatives within GP.

 Qualifications and Experience
Required Skills and Qualifications
• A bachelor’s degree in international relations, Development Studies, Public Policy, Political Science, or a related field. A Master’s Degree is an added advantage.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in program management, governance, or advocacy work. While this is recommended, it is not a requirement. At GP, experience alone is not enough, we look for competence coupled with the required skills.
• Demonstrated experience working with NGOs, private sector, government agencies, and international partners.
• Strong understanding of governance issues, especially on anti-corruptionn, public financee management, elections and policy advocacy.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to deliver on multiple deadlines.
• Strong analytical, communication, and report-writing skills.
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, networking, and coalition building.
• Familiarity with donor funding processes and reporting requirements. • Experience in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks is highly desirable. • Proficiency in digital tools (Microsoft Office) and social media platforms.

• Ability to work independently and in a team, with a high level of professionalism and integrity.

Key Competencies
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Proficiency in local languages is an advantage.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage budgets, work plans, and M&E frameworks.
• Proven ability to draft high-quality proposals, project reports, and donor communications.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a team and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of donor landscapes and experience in donor relations and reporting.
• Familiarity with software for project management, reporting, and M&E.

Application Process
Send a one-page cover letter and CV (in PDF) to careers@gambiaparticipates.org by 15th November 2024:
1. A cover letter expressing interest in the position and how your qualifications meet the requirements.
2. A current CV.

Subject Line: Application for Programs Officer – Gambia Participates

 Selection Process
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. It is very important to indicate “Application for the vacancy of Programs Officer” on the email subject attaching the required documents. Incomplete applications will be automatically disqualified. If you mistakenly sent an incomplete application, please resend the full application using the same email thread, no need to compose a new email. We will review your application.

Attention

We are an equal-opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or gender. We strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can feel valued and respected. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.