ABOUT FREEDOM HOUSE

Established more than 80 years ago on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people, Freedom House is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to defend and expand freedom globally to help secure a world where all are free. Around the world, repressive regimes are preventing billions of people from exercising their fundamental rights. We identify and analyze threats to freedom, mobilize decision makers to respond to those threats and seize opportunities for progress, and support activists and organizations working to defend and expand freedom. We are dedicated to ensuring that the United States serves as a positive model of democratic practice at home and a consistent champion of freedom globally. By gathering authoritative data and leveraging our global networks, Freedom House is an unwavering beacon in protecting human rights and promoting democratic governance.

POSITION SUMMARY

The USAID-funded Protecting Human Rights in Ethiopia (PHR-Ethiopia) is a five-year program to be implemented with the overall goal of increasing respect for human rights in Ethiopia. The program has four specific objectives: i) expand efforts to monitor securely and independently, document, and report on human rights violations; ii) advance accountability for human rights violations; iii) increase the number and capacity of new human rights actors and advocates throughout Ethiopia; and iv) address conflict-related gender and sexual violence. To realize these objectives, the program will engage key state and non-state actors and strengthen the institutional and operational capacity of local CSOs and justice and law enforcement bodies including judges, prosecutors, and police. 

Freedom House is seeking a Program Officer who will be focusing on integrating Gender, Equity, and Social Inclusion (GESI) and youth empowerment considerations within the objectives of the PHR-Ethiopia program. The GESI Officer will work in close coordination with the program staff to provide technical and expertise support aimed at enhancing the quality and relevance of social inclusion, including gender and youth across program activities, and ensuring that sound GESI/youth policy and practices inform programmatic operations and activities under program. This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and will report to the Chief of Party.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the baseline GESI analysis during program start-up; work with project team and partners to co-design and implement a GESI strategy and GESI auditing tools.

• Conduct staff and partner capacity analysis and strengthening to ensure that all staff are engaged and allied to work as one team to support and mainstream youth empowerment and GESI.

• Facilitate youth and gender analysis and maintain ongoing monitoring and evaluation of gender-focused initiatives and activities.

• Identify and engage relevant local stakeholders to support integrated youth and gender analysis and assist in socializing interventions.

• Provide oversight and contributions to the activities and the grant development process that will ensure that the process is equitable, accessible, and inclusive to youth, minority, and women-owned and operated entities.

• Work with the technical team and potential beneficiaries, partners and/or grantees to ensure that all programmatic capacity strengthening provided by the project exemplifies best practice in gender, youth, and inclusion.

• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation activities focusing on youth and GESI.

• Support the design and implementation of youth and GESI-related indicators.

• Develop and deliver capacity building trainings on GESI and human rights through multiple modalities for staff and provide training, mentorship, and coaching to all local partners and sub-grantees in GESI and youth empowerment. 

• Facilitate stakeholders’ engagement, networking, and coordination to advance shared goals and objectives on gender mainstreaming and inclusion.

• Respond promptly to stakeholder needs and solicit stakeholder feedback to improve service quality.

• Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party.

Work Location Type: On-site

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:     

• Bachelor's degree in human rights, gender studies, social studies, women’s studies, international development, or a related field. master's degree preferred.

Experience:    

• At least 5 years of proven experience working in the field of human rights, gender equality and social inclusion.

• Experience in mainstreaming human rights-based approach, gender, and social inclusion in programming.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting gender analysis, gender audits, power analysis, and participatory approaches.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing GESI and youth empowerment plans in culturally, politically, and security sensitive environments.

• Youth, gender, social inclusion programming experience under donor-funded projects, preferably supported by USG funds.

• Experience and knowledge of issues related to women, youth, and social inclusion in the context of human rights, rule of law, democracy, governance, conflict prevention, and resilience-building are required.

• Experience and knowledge of issues related to women, youth, and social inclusion in Ethiopia.

Technical Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, with strong writing ability at a donor project reporting level. Fluency in Amharic while knowledge of other local languages is a plus.

• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work with a diverse team of individuals.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced and multicultural environment.

• Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality and exhibit unquestionable integrity, honesty, and forthrightness.

Personal Attributes and Characteristics: 

• Promote and exhibit strong and sustained commitment to the vision, mission, and strategic goals of Freedom House.

• Show good stewardship in the use of Freedom House resources. 

• Exhibit excellent phone etiquette, pleasant demeanor, and ethical conduct. 

• Consistently use good judgment when dealing with all contacts and constituents.

• Exhibit high work standards, adherence to procedures, and responsibility for assigned tasks.

• Assess own strengths and weaknesses; pursue training and development opportunities; strive to continuously build knowledge and skills.

• Work as an effective team member, successfully balance individual and team responsibilities.

• Comply with all policies and procedures.

• Eagerness to think creatively about complex challenges. 

• Willingness to reflect, learn, and adapt.

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, ethnicity, and age sensitivity and adaptability. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

• Diversity makes our work stronger. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all background to apply. Diverse backgrounds relevant to the countries in which we have programming are a welcome asset.

• Applicants are required to complete our online application form and to submit a resume and a cover letter that outlines interests and qualifications for this position. 

• Travel to some countries, for business or in some cases personal reasons, while a Freedom House employee, may not be advisable or even possible due to high security risks.  

• Candidates must possess authorization to work in Ethiopia independent from Freedom House sponsorship.   

Working Conditions:

• Generally conducive working office environment in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Disability-friendly accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.

• Some evening and weekend hours to complete tasks or attend events.

• Travel within Ethiopia outside of Addis Ababa.

• Exposed to outside weather conditions when required to complete assigned tasks outside the office.

• May involve work in regions that are remote and lack basic modern infrastructure, and in regions under U.S. travel advisory due to threats of armed attacks, civil unrest, kidnappings, disease outbreaks, etc.

Work Environment and Physical Demands: 

• Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting or remote work. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants can apply through THIS LINK

Freedom House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.