Africa Legal and Human Rights Coordinator

Job Description

The Forest Peoples Project is an international NGO that promotes the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples to their forests, lands and livelihoods. See www.forestpeoples.org/project_index.shtml for more information about our work.

FPP's Africa Legal and Human Rights Programme (ALHRP) forms part of our overall Legal and Human Rights Programme, which aims to build the capacity of indigenous peoples to use the international human rights framework and domestic legal mechanisms to assert their rights. The ALHRP works in Central Africa and for the past four years has trained indigenous organisations and communities in human rights, international and national law, provided technical legal support, and supported partners to participate effectively in international human rights processes. The ALHRP also helps partners to use legal and human rights mechanisms to ensure that national policies address their rights. The ALHRP currently works in Cameroon, Uganda, DRC, and Burundi. The type of activities in each country varies according to local priorities.

We are recruiting a Coordinator for the ALHRP. We invite applications from suitably qualified individuals. The successful applicant, if based in the Central Africa region, would coordinate the project from Central Africa. Alternatively, the job could be based at our UK office, in which case qualified candidates should only apply if they have the necessary residency permissions to work from the UK.

The ALHRP Coordinator will report to FPP's overall Legal and Human Rights coordinator and liaise closely with FPP's other project managers. As well as coordinating the ALHRP, the Coordinator's duties also include managing FPP's Uganda programme which integrates human rights, organisational capacity building and livelihoods programmes. You will be responsible for managing two staff and any consultants and associates involved with the project. You will manage ALHRP funds, raise additional funds where needed, and produce donor reports and financial accounts.

We are looking for a well-organised, self-motivated person who enjoys working as part of a team and is keen to lead and shape the ALHRP in line with FPP's overall vision, working in close collaboration with other FPP staff. The ALHRP coordinator must also be able to develop rapport and work sympathetically with indigenous peoples and their organisations. As most of our partners are Francophone you need to be able to speak and write good French and English.

1. Degree in law or related subject (preferably a post-graduate degree)
2. Solid grasp of the international human rights framework and indigenous issues
3. At least three years' experience of practical application of human rights law and/or indigenous rights
4. Experience of working with communities on human rights or legal issues
5. Experience of project management including staff and budget management
6. Practical experience in Africa an advantage
7. Good written and spoken French and English
8. Excellent communication skills

Specific responsibilities

1. Manage the implementation of the Africa Legal and Human Rights Programme and coordinate with other FPP programmes
2. Provide the following inputs, or ensure that these activities are carried out effectively:
   1. training and technical support for FPP partners in various international human rights and legal processes
   2. training in international and domestic law for FPP partners;
   3. assistance to FPP partners to use international human rights mechanisms to publicise human rights violations and seek redress;
   4. technical legal support for domestic legal actions to challenge human rights violations;
   5. assistance to partners to monitor international human rights standard setting and participate in standard setting activities;
   6. local level support to FPP partners to build their capacities and help them to link their legal and advocacy work to the international legal system;
   7. research the legal framework for promoting indigenous rights in a number of African countries;
   8. production of manuals, simple guides to local laws, briefings and publications to support project activities and advocacy;
   9. develop advocacy and outreach activities.
3. Manage the ALHRP's staff, consultants and associates
4. Manage FPP's Uganda programme
5. Donor reporting and fundraising
6. Keep FPP colleagues and Executive Committee informed of developments through excellent communications and progress reports
7. Participate in international and national meetings on behalf of FPP
8. Assist the strategic development of the FPP's legal and human rights programme in Africa and globally.

Terms

• Full-time, based either in the Central African region or in the UK.
• UK-based salary in the range £27,000-£30,000 depending on qualifications and experience. If based in the Central African region, salary will be adjusted to reflect local cost of living.

To apply for this post

Please download the application form:   Application form - Word format
or   Application form - pdf format
and send by email to julia@forestpeoples.org .

If you cannot use email, please fax or post the application form to:

Julia Overton
Forest Peoples Project
1c Fosseway Business Centre, Stratford Road
Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9NQ, UK

Fax: +44 (0)1608 652878

Closing date for applications: 15 May 2008;   Short-listing: end May 2008

We regret that we are unable to contact those candidates who are not short-listed.