Program Manager – West Africa

If you believe…

• that social change is not a utopia;
• that feminist principles and processes can help change the world;
• that activists in Canada and those in the South can support each other and learn from each other;
• that you can actively contribute to the strengthening and management of a Canadian organization dedicated to the promotion of social justice and human rights;

…then you may be interested in applying as Program Manager, West Africa at Inter Pares, a Canadian organization dedicated to promoting social justice. Both in Canada and abroad, we forge ties with people and organizations who believe, like us, that poverty stems from structural inequalities between and within nations, and who work to change the deep into their community and their country.

As a member of our co-management structure, the person sought will have to share with the rest of the team the responsibilities for the viability and the financial, administrative and political orientations of the organization. The co-management team works according to the principle of parity – equal pay, equal responsibilities – and decision-making by consensus. Each of the co-managers is involved in committee management, administration, fundraising, donor and Board relations, external representation, and public engagement.

The position of Program Manager, West Africa

We are looking for a program manager who, in close collaboration with other members of the team, will share the responsibility of managing our regional program in West Africa and particularly affecting Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Togo. The position consists of supporting the organizational strengthening of our counterparts, the development of policies and advocacy activities, networking with national and regional NGOs, the development and management of programs focusing on women’s rights, gender equality gender, biodiversity, climate justice and agroecology. The Program Manager develops and implements strategies to promote these goals through activities such as research and analysis, fundraising, various collaborations, the organization of educational events, the drafting of documents and publications, and political and organizational representation. Program managers are also responsible for developing and managing programs funded by Global Affairs Canada.The position is located at our offices in Ottawa. The integration of the person will be done face-to-face for a month, which requires a presence in the office during all working days. But beyond the first month, our hybrid policy requires a minimum presence of 5 days per month in our offices in Ottawa, including every other Wednesday to attend an all-staff meeting. In-person attendance is also required for other specific meetings, as identified by all staff.

Qualifications required

• Commitment to social justice and feminist principles
• Commitment to teamwork, ability to work in a team but also independently
• Commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression values
• Ability to work in a bilingual environment (English and French speaking)
• Proven knowledge in analysis, organization and advocacy for gender equality.
• Proven knowledge in environmental studies, biodiversity and climate change
• Proven knowledge in agroecology, rural development, sustainable food systems.
• Analytical skills and ability to think and work strategically
• Leadership and experience in mobilizing and organizing within communities (local, cultural, interest-driven or identity-based) or social movements (such as a solidarity movement at the provincial, national or international level), at the internationally and/or in Canada
• Financial and administrative management skills
• Organizational skills, as well as the ability to simultaneously manage a variety of tasks and topics under multiple and sometimes tight deadlines
• Excellent written skills, attention to detail and aptitude for writing for diverse audiences
• Good knowledge of Windows suite software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) as well as an ability to use databases
• Availability to work a variable schedule, especially during certain busier periods, and to travel several weeks a year, sometimes in remote areas and in difficult conditions (a modest contribution for childcare costs is available)
• Experience or skill in fundraising, communications, public engagement
• Experience managing projects using a results-based management (RBM) framework

Languages

• Excellent French language skills (oral and written), including the ability to revise texts and ensure the quality of our written production in French (in coordination with other French-speaking colleagues)
• Very good English language skills (oral and written)
• Knowledge of Portuguese and/or Spanish is an asset

Salary and benefits

The salary is accompanied by a generous benefits program: complementary health insurance, contribution to a retirement savings plan. New staff members start with four weeks vacation, increasing with seniority.

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How to Apply:

Candidates must be authorized to work in Canada. Interested individuals should submit their resume, along with a cover letter in French that explains why they are interested in working at Inter Pares and how their skills and experience could contribute to Inter Pares. Please email your application to [email protected] with the subject line “Program Manager, West Africa – – FIRST NAME LAST NAME”.

Interviews will take place over a three-hour period (90 minutes of interview and 90 minutes of written exercises) between August 21 and August 25, 2023. The recommended person will be invited to participate in further interviews between August 14, September 15 and 18, 2023. Interviews will be conducted in person or via video-conference. The interview will be conducted in French and English. The interview will also include a writing test in French and English. We are happy to provide an accessible interview and work environment upon request.

Inter Pares is committed to working within an anti-racism, anti-oppression and anti-colonialism framework, and recognizes the profound influence of systemic privilege and oppression on staffing patterns in international cooperation. It strongly encourages the application of women, racialized people, indigenous people, migrant people, people marginalized because of their sexual or gender identity, and people living with disabilities. Those who wish to do so are invited to specify in their application how they identify themselves.

For more information on Inter Pares, visit our website: www.interpares.ca.