Now Hiring: Programmes and Advocacy Officer: Cotonou, Benin

February 19, 2025

POSITION:National Programmes and Advocacy Officer 
BASECotonou/Benin
ACCOUNTABLE TO:Executive Director
REPORT TO:Global Programmes Coordinator and Africa Regional Director
MEMBER OF:Programs Team
WORKING DAYS:36 hours a week
DURATION:1 year

About WGNRR

We are a southern-based global network that builds and strengthens movements for sexual and reproductive health, rights (SRHR) and justice. Our work is grounded in the realities of those who most lack economic, social and political power. Through critical analysis and strategic actions, we connect members and allies, build knowledge, organize campaigns and share resources. WGNRR works to realize the full sexual and reproductive health and rights of all people, with a particular focus on the most marginalized. We believe that achieving this goal requires transformative social change.

Values 

WGNRR works within the rights, justice and feminist frameworks. We aim to be member focused, inclusive and accountable in all that we do. We are committed to equality for all genders and value diversity. We are self-reflective and independent from political, governmental or religious institutions.

Job Summary

The National Programmes and Advocacy Officer (NPAO) will lead the overall coordination of the WGNRR’s Kaleidoscope programme activities in Benin, ensuring that the objectives of the program are achieved effectively, efficiently, and within budget. The role will include overseeing day-to-day operations, managing relationships with key partners, developing effective research, advocacy and communications strategies for advancing abortion rights and strengthen health systems in Benin; planning and delivery of capacity building activities with members and partners; networking with partners regionally and in Benin, and ensuring the integration of program and financial management practices to guarantee high-impact results. The NPAO will be part of a highly efficient and motivated team. 

This position will be involved in programme development; co-ordination of capacity and movement building initiatives, strategic workshops and consultations; resource development; maintaining and building partnerships with a diverse group of CSO partners, medical practioners, lawyers, media and allied network.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Management:

  1. Project Planning & Implementation:
  • Lead the development, planning, and execution of the Kaleidoscope program in collaboration with implementing partners and stakeholders.
  • Oversee the implementation of the country prospectus and Theory of Change (ToC), ensuring they align with project goals, timelines, and desired outcomes.
  • Ensure the program is carried out in compliance with national laws, regulations, and international standards for reproductive rights.
  1. Stakeholder Coordination & Relationship Management:
  • Serve as the primary liaison between WGNRR, the implementing partners, and key stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), and international donors.
  • Establish and manage cordial and thriving relationships partner organizations, government officials and all partners, stakeholders and team members in Benin and in the region
  • Work closely with country partners in executing project deliverables; follow workplan, suggest changes depending on external circumstances;
  • Organize/co-ordinate regular meetings with partner organizations, Africa and global office, ED to facilitate program implementation, address challenges, and share updates.
  • Co-ordinate Wgnrr global campaigns like May 28th, Sept 28th with global office, and execute at country level through offline and online activities
  1. Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting:
  • Implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks as outlined in the Kaleidoscope project to track the progress and impact of the program.
  • Lead the collection, analysis, and reporting of program data, ensuring alignment with established performance indicators.
  • Regularly assess program effectiveness and suggest necessary adjustments to optimize outcomes.
  • Research and contribute to publications for global annual report, newsletters, social media and the like;
  • Oversee reports from partners and prepare national report for donors in alignment with the project objectives and reporting timeframe
  • Contribute to the general planning, execution, and evaluation of the Kaleidoscope project in Benin
  1. Advocacy and Policy Influence:
  • Strengthen partnerships and advocate for increased government support for safe abortion and reproductive health rights.
  • Represent WGNRR at national and regional forums, contributing to discussions around reproductive health rights and gender equality.
  • Lead advocacy campaigns aimed at creating awareness, educating, and influencing policy on safe abortion access in Benin.

Financial Management:

  1. Budget Planning & Financial Oversight:
  • Support the Global finance team in developing and managing program budgets to ensure efficient allocation and use of resources.
  • Monitor partners’ program expenditures against the approved budget and ensure cost-effective and transparent spending.
  • Ensure timely financial reporting to WGNRR and donor, maintaining accountability and transparency.
  1. Financial Compliance:
  • Ensure the program adheres to donor financial regulations, organizational policies, and local financial laws.
  • Conduct regular financial reviews to ensure compliance with budgetary limits and address any financial issues promptly.
  1. Resource Mobilization:
  • Contribute to fundraising efforts by identifying funding opportunities, preparing proposals, and building relationships with potential donors and partners.
  • Monitor funding availability and adjust project activities as necessary to ensure financial sustainability.

Capacity Building:

  1. Training and Capacity Building:

Lead all country-level workshops, training sessions, learning exchange, and webinars for national stakeholders, CSOs, and partners to enhance their knowledge and skills in safe abortion, reproductive health, and policy advocacy.

Facilitate continuous learning and knowledge-sharing within the project team and with stakeholders.

Other responsibilities

  • Collaborate with senior management to develop and refine the global strategy for the organization.
  • Identify new opportunities for program expansion or partnerships that can help further the WGNRR’s mission.
  • Assist in identifying funding opportunities for the country and the West Africa region, and developing proposals for new programs, including donor pitches and concept notes.

Essential Personnel Specification

This role typically requires a combination of project management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning skills, with a focus on ensuring that the organization’s global initiatives are implemented effectively and in alignment with its mission. Qualifications and experience below are required:


Education:

  • A Bachelor degree in Public Health, Gender Studies, International Development, or a related field.

Experience:

  • At least 2-3 years of experience in project/programme management, including a strong background in health systems management, especially strengthening public health systems for increasing access to SRHR, particularly safe abortion.
  • Proven track record of working with national-level stakeholders, including government bodies, donors, CSOs, and human rights institutions.
  • Excellent knowledge of issues and the global actors/stakeholders
  • Good understanding of the content and relationships between ICPD PoA, SDGs and Beijing Platform for Action
  • Experience of working in an international NGO and or local/grassroots NGOs working on SDGs
  • Strong experience in financial management, including budgeting, monitoring, and reporting on donor-funded programs.
  • Prior experience in advocacy, particularly in policy and legislative change related to women’s health and rights

Skills & Competencies:

  • Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with fluency in French (written and spoken) and English
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data and present clear reports. 
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks effectively under pressure and work in a multi-cultural, multi-stakeholder environment
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills, oral and written skills in English and French, and ability to translate English documents to French for global actions
  • Competent in Microsoft office suite
  • Skills for motivating efficiency and productivity from participants in common projects.
  • Good interpersonal, intercultural and social skills
  • Remote position, with annual travel for planning meeting to global office or at region, as required
  • Proactive, can work remotely with minimum supervision.

WGNRR strongly encourages applications from women in all their diversity  to contribute to our mission of advancing gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights. In line with WGNRR’s commitment to promoting women’s leadership, we especially welcome applications from women in all their diversity for this role.


Open to Beninese nationals only.


Compensation

This is a full time position with an employee contract, full time position with a compensation of  3,501,000- 4,201,000 XOF plus health insurance benefits and is commensurate with experience & qualification.


Please send: 

1. A curriculum vitae of not more than 2 pages

2. A cover letter describing why you are interested in the position and summarizing your relevant experience and suitability for the post (no more than 1 page in length).

 3. The names and contact details of two referees

Application should be sent to: office@wgnrr.org on or before March 20, 2025.

Please use “National Programmes and Advocacy Officer [Surname]” as the subject of your email. Label your documents as follows: [NAME] CV and [NAME] COVER LETTER.