Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Associate

Job Purpose and Definition

The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) is a leading global organisation focused on addressing the root causes of violence through a feminist lens. We are working to create a world of permanent peace built on feminist foundations of freedom, justice, nonviolence, human rights, and equality for all.

We are looking for a full time (100% work-rate) Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Associate to work in support of strengthening feminist peace activism through holistic resourcing of feminist movements in the MENA region, as outlined in WILPF’s International Programme 2022-2025.

The successful candidate demonstrates knowledge of and passion for WILPF’s work and its feminist principles. The MENA Associate will work closely with a diverse, talented and fast paced team to support new and emerging feminist organizations in the MENA region and create spaces and tools for convening and knowledge production for regional partners and sections. The Successful candidate is detail-oriented with the ability to keep sight of the bigger picture. They are committed to supporting local feminist movements through participatory, flexible and responsive approaches to partnership, based on trust, mutual accountability and feminist solidarity.

About WILPF: The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) with National Sections covering every continent, an International Secretariat based in Geneva, and a New York office focused on the work of the United Nations (UN). Since our establishment in 1915, we have brought together women from around the world who are united in working for peace by non-violent means and promoting political, economic and social justice for all.

About Resourcing the Feminist Movement (RFM): The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Associate’s primary responsibility is to support the implementation of WILPF regional projects related to Resourcing the Feminist Movement (RFM). Resourcing of feminist movements and creating space to support feminist agendas is guided by our feminist principles and practices, and entails financing the movement for feminist peace with flexible funding schemes, innovative institutional strengthening through tailored support, technical advisory and accompaniment to partners and Sections, and creating opportunities for exchange, peer-learning, and networking for collaboration. Comprehensively and flexibly resourcing the feminist peace movement(s) enables them to focus on their core agendas, identify their needs and priorities, and decide on how they want to be supported. Opportunities and spaces for peer exchange within and across countries are required to build and strengthen feminist networks.

The MENA Associate will lead on coordination with project partners on all matters related to granting, contracting, implementing, and reporting with the support and supervision of the MENA Manager. They will support the MENA Team in delivering on the projects’ goals in the MENA region. They will be responsible to ensure ongoing coordination and compliance with partners, and will support the implementation of the technical support activities, as well as the solidarity and dialogue spaces. The MENA Associate will collaborate closely with WILPF’s support teams, such as finance, HR, and communications, to ensure smooth operational success of program implementation. The MENA Associate will provide support for RFM activities as relevant, and will provide updates on the political contexts, as requested.

Project and Partners Coordination

• Coordinate the grant making process with partners, including liaising with partners as well as WILPF’s Finance and HR Teams on contracting, granting, transfer of funds, and required financial reporting.
• Support the development of work plans with partners and ensure accurate implementation of activities and fulfillment of contract commitments.
• Ensure compliance with WILPF’s Financial Manual as well as with other organisation administrative and recordkeeping guidelines.
• Support partners in activity implementation including attending activities in the region when needed. Liaise with other WILPF programmes, and provide supporting tools when needed.
• Review and follow-up with partners on required financial reports.
• Lead on the implementation of the Partners Capacity Assessment (PCA) and design of the Technical Support Plan (TSP) in coordination with the MENA Manager.
• Review partners’ proposals, reports and manage their requests for support.
• Lead on organizing, archiving, and documenting project related records and documents on WILPF’s platforms.
• Support MENA Manager and external consultant in the mapping of emerging feminist and/or women’s rights organizations and initiatives in the MENA region, as well as consistently identifying new and emerging feminist groups and organisations.

Internal and external coordination

• CKnowledge production and convening spaces
• Support RFM activities including capacity building events and convenings in and on the MENA region.
• Support the implementation of movement building meetings, including organization of logistical arrangements, such as travel, convening space, and other required administrative tasks.
• Track and share literature and events done by relevant stakeholders on issues related to MENA partners’ work and political contexts with the MENA Team.
• Contribute to developing a range of written materials, including blogs, policy analyses, and advocacy documents to disseminate to specific target audiences.
• Review and determine based on set criteria whether material produced by partners in English and Arabic can be uploaded to the MENA Hub.

Interdependencies and Reporting

The MENA Associate reports to the MENA Manager. The MENA Associate works closely with the MENA Advocacy Coordinators, the MENA Communication Coordinator, and the MENA Associate working on regional programming based worldwide. The MENA Associate will also coordinate with other team members within the MENA team and across WILPF.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Excellent fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic. Ability to coordinate with local partners in Arabic and English.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in WILPF’s work, aims and principles. Keen interest in and commitment to WILPF’s values and mission.
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills. Ability to track and maintain a variety of projects and activities simultaneously, while meeting quick deadlines during busy times.
• Detail-oriented with ability to keep sight of the bigger picture.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a wide array of administrative tasks, including travel logistics, event planning, and various administrative support for meetings such as note taking, agenda dissemination, and tech troubleshooting.
• Experience working with global, diverse teams across time zones and locations, both co-located and remote.
• Excellent ability to collaborate, work well in a team setting, and to build strong and genuine interpersonal relationships. Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong computer skills including fluency in MS Office 365.
• Ability to organize work across programmes and teams to achieve common objectives.
• Flexible, solution-oriented and able to work autonomously.
• Prior experience working for NGOs, and/or campaign organizations is a plus.
• Coordinate closely with the MENA Team, short term consultants, MEL Advisors and WILPF staff across the organization on projects and deliverables.
• Attend monthly staff meetings and bi-weekly MENA meetings.

Education and Experience

• A university degree in a relevant field is required**.**
• At least 2 years of hands-on work experience with a track record of working closely with partners and on issues related to resourcing the feminist movement, including in the MENA region.

Compensation WILPF will provide the MENA Associate with compensation commensurate with experience. Compensation will also be based on the location of the selected candidate.

Start Date and Work Schedule

April 2023 start date or ASAP.

This is a full-time position at 100% work rate (40 hours/week).

Location

This is a remote position for someone based in the MENA region.

Availability and ability to travel is preferred for in-person meetings and events to fulfill the duties of the position.

How to apply

Submissions

Please send a resumé or CV and a cover letter to jobs@wilpf.org with “MENA Associate” in the subject line. Please note that any applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Deadline for application submissions is 10 March 2023. WILPF thanks all applicants for your interest; however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate has been identified. WILPF is an Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, WILPF welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates, irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, ethnic or social origin, disability, religion, or belief. During the different stages of the recruitment process, specific measures may be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities.

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