Call for Applications: Coordinator, African Internet Rights Alliance (AIRA)
About AIRA The African Internet Rights Alliance (AIRA) is a network of leading Africa based civil society organisations (CSOs) that advance digital rights across the continent.[1] AIRA’s work is rooted in four values: Accountability, Transparency, Integrity, and Good governance. Using these values as a guide, AIRA undertakes collective interventions and executes strategic campaigns that engage the government, private sector, media, and civil society to institute and safeguard digital rights. AIRA is governed by an Oversight Group (OGs) constituted by representatives of member organisations, and the other members actively participate through sub-committees to which they each belong. In addition, AIRA has a Coordinating Organisation that provides oversight to strategy and programs, and a fiscal host that is responsible for financial management.
AIRA facilitates strategic thinking, learning and collaboration by its members as they engage key stakeholders to institute and safeguard digital rights. This mission is pursued through the following three objectives: (i) Foster peer support and/or collaboration amongst organisations working on digital rights and internet freedom in Africa (ii) Promote collective action on regressive digital rights policy and practice, and (iii) Provide a platform to nurture global partnerships to enhance digital rights in Africa.
Position overview. Since its formation, AIRA’s work has been supported by an independent facilitator, who liaises closely with the Coordinating Organisation, the Oversight Group and fiscal host. Over the past few years, AIRA has tested its structures, established core initiatives and expanded its network of partners. The AIRA Coordinator will have the overall responsibility, in close liaison with the Coordinating Organisation and fiscal host, for planning and implementation of all AIRA activities that include internal engagements by members, as well as any activities with external stakeholders/partners. The key tasks will include:
- Overall Coordination for implementation of all AIRA activities. This includes preparing project documents, organizing meetings with project stakeholders, preparing documentation and reports of the meetings, and prepare reports on monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
- Strategy and programming / planning: In close liaison with the AIRA members, develop relevant strategy and programmes that are aligned to AIRA’s mission.
- Implementation and monitoring: Ensure implementation of AIRA activities, prepare regular updates to AIRA members, and prepare requisite documentation, including narrative and financial reports.
- Developing and nurturing institutional and strategic relationships with different (regional and international) stakeholders.
- Managing Foster communication between and among AIRA members, including possible task forces focused on the development of specific materials related to the Alliance. Externally, provide strategic communication support to make the work of the Alliance visible through media and other relevant channels.
Must have skills:
- Good understanding of digital rights;
- A self starter with the ability to design and undertake creative and innovative methods for project implementation;
- Ability to support AIRA members and project partners effectively, and demonstrate conflict resolution skills;
- Proven competencies of communication (verbal and written) with all relevant stakeholders;
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with partners, colleagues, donors, stakeholders and external actors;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of web
- Good writing and oral skills.
Nice to have skills
- Ability to contribute to analysis of laws and policies on various aspects of digital rights;
- Good understanding and experience with strategic communication;
- Supporting digital advocacy campaigns;
- Experience working with other aspects of human rights.
Level of experience A Bachelors’ degree in a relevant field with more than three years’ experience and requiring little-to-no guidance.
Language English is a must. Knowledge of other key languages widely spoken on the continent, i.e. French and Swahili, would be useful.
Location: The position can be based in one of the AIRA member offices, or remote, preferably in a time zone close to East African Standard Time (EAST), West African Standard Time (WAT) and Southern African Standard Time (SAST).
Period: One year starting April 2023 with a possibility for renewal.
Salary US$24,000 per annum
Benefits Flexible hours and workplace, paid time off, out of station allowances and connection to a diverse group of civil society leaders and partners.
Application requirements and deadline The deadline for applications is March 15th , 2023 at 18:00 East African Time (EAST). To apply, send a cover letter outlining how you fit the job requirements and your areas of expertise; a CV; two writing samples (or alternative samples of your work); names and contacts of two referees to ashokille@akijul.com
[1] AIRA’s membership is comprised of the following organisations; Amnesty International, ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa, BudgIT, The Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law (CIPIT), Co Creation Hub (CcHub)/I-Hub, The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), Legal Resource Centre (LRC), Paradigm Initiative (PIN), POLLICY