Job Description
Title
Director, Civil Society and Governance
Location
Mozambique
Programme
Social Development - Civil Society
Agency
Aga Khan Foundation
The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of private, international, non-denominational agencies founded by His Highness the Aga Khan. The Network's organisations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to culture, rural development and the promotion of private-sector enterprise. AKDN is dedicated to improving living conditions and opportunities for the poor, without regard to faith, origin or gender. More information....
The Position
Aga Khan Foundation Mozambique [AKF(Moz)] became active in the country in 2001 with the establishment of the Coastal Rural Support Program Mozambique [CRSP(M)], which implements integrated interventions in the economic development, civil society, education, health and habitat sectors. The ultimate aim of CRSP(M) is to bring about sustainable and equitable improvements to the living standards of women and men in vulnerable rural communities in Cabo Delgado province, the northernmost province in Mozambique. CRSP(M), which recently entered its next five-year strategy, currently works in 191 villages in five districts and supports more than 25,000 households to improve their quality of life.
The five main objectives of this multi input area development (MIAD) programme are to:
i) increase food security and income through broadened market opportunities and increased production capacity;
ii) increase the growth and development of a vibrant civil society that is participatory, non-discriminatory and equitable, fosters pluralism and deepens democratic values and can contribute to positive socio-economic development;
iii) ensure a more accessible and continuous ladder of quality education opportunities available, particularly for girls and other marginalised students;
iv) Improve the health status of the population with a focus on women of reproductive age (15-49) and children under five;
v) improve habitats and increase usage of alternative energy through increased access to low-cost ecological construction skills and services and alternative energy supply. CRSP (M)'s multi-input agenda was designed and implemented in partnership with the Government of Mozambique (GoM) and in accordance with its Action Plans for the Reduction of Absolute Poverty (PARPA and PARPA II) in order also to contribute to the national development strategy.
AKF(Moz) collaborates with the other institutions of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) that are present in the country and working in economic and social development. AKF(Moz)'s administrative unit is located in Maputo. The regional office base for AKF(Moz)'s Coastal Rural Support Programme is located in Pemba, Cabo Delgado (Northern Mozambique).
AKF (Moz)'s Civil Society and Governance component:
AKF(Moz) prefers to play a facilitative role by empowering communities to lead the development process. Village Development Organisations (VDOs) are inclusive and participatory village-level institutions responsible for community development, in the CRSP(M) areas. AKF(Moz) envisions communities to take the initiative for their own development by identifying opportunities and potential for positive change; specifically, to prioritise, formulate and implement concrete projects and access resources and services from various development actors, including the state. AKF(Moz) has been promoting VDOs, through CRSP(M), and the VDO initiative, under the broader portfolio of the Civil Society and Governance programme, is guided by the vision of: inclusive, participatory, transparent, accountable, frontline institutions, playing an enabling development and governance role, at the village level.
CRSP(M) initiated a second phase (2010 ' 2013) of VDO development ' which emphasizes linkages between the VDOs and the state and private sector, in addition to establishing new VDOs; currently, more than 72 VDOs are active in CRSP areas. This is in alignment with the Government's decentralization process which supports the development of local leadership for the purpose of a bottom-up community development process. AKF-Mozambique's approach in civil society and local governance strengthening has the potential for replication in other regions in the country.
Position Summary:
The Director for Civil Society and Governance works with a growing team, and currently numbering 12 staff. Collaboration with other component directors of the MIAD, and with the overall programme leadership, is integral. In addition, coordination with counterparts based in the AKF office in Maputo, who represent CRSP(M) at the national level, is also needed.
Main Responsibilities:
Lead in the planning and implementation of the initiative through innovative approaches, and within the vision and mandate of the programme; ensure that the initiative's targets are being met.
Develop the capacities of the CS and Governance team in CRSP(M), through effective mentoring and (external) training opportunities ' enabling a work environment with a high level of competency, transparency and a strong sense of team.
Develop and implement a capacity building plan for relevant development actors, including local government, with minimal external assistance; lead in the development of necessary training modules - on management and governance - for CSOs.
Review existing tools and design appropriate new tools and techniques to track the institutional maturity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), including local governance bodies (e.g. VDOs), already involved in AKF(Moz)'s ongoing capacity building process. Plan and undertake high level trainings and other capacity building events, for state actors and wide range of CSOs.
Develop the annual plan for CRSP(M)'s CS and Governance initiative in coordination with the CRSP leadership and component heads; manage and track programme budget allocation for the initiative.
Guide and facilitate better integration of village development planning at the community level as well as within CRSP(M); the latter calls for engaging in integrated planning between the CRSP(M) components.
Participate in proposal development efforts leading to the further development of the initiative and support AKF(Moz)'s efforts to mobilise financial and technical support.
Liaise closely with CRSP(M)'s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MERL) Unit, for objective monitoring of implementation, outcomes, results and impact of specific activities under the initiative.
Effectively liaise with other key capacity building institutions involved in CS and Governance strengthening ' for knowledge sharing and transfer; engage with key state agencies, donors, NGOs, and actively contribute to frontline capacity building processes, in Mozambique.
The Requirements
The Director for the Civil Society and Governance initiative will, at a minimum, possess the following qualifications, skills and professional experience:
A Masters degree in development, social sciences, or in relevant fields.
Relevant experience in the design, implementation and management of a Civil Society and Governance strengthening project in rural development.
Specifically, should have direct experience in the relevant areas of: community mobilization and participatory rural development, gender sensitization and planning, decentralization and local governance advocacy, Training of Trainers TOT), and participatory rural appraisals.
Proven leadership skills, acquired in a challenging environment.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in Portuguese; fluency in English is strongly preferred.
Individuals who meet the above requirements are kindly requested to submit a cover letter, along with their resume/CV and the names of three references.
Salary & International Package
Salary and package to attract the best candidate
No Fee
AJS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS AND AJS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.
SOME EMPLOYERS MAY ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF YOUR APPLICATION.
