ATHENA Network was created to advance gender equity and human rights at the intersection of HIV, women’s rights, SRHR, and GBV. Formally launched in 2005, ATHENA plays a policy formulation, capacity-building and network-convening role, working with partners at the national and regional level.
ATHENA Network recognises that only when women and girls in all their diversity can know, claim, and action their rights, will we achieve SRHR, stem the tide of HIV infections, end gender-based violence, and actualize global health. We promote and facilitate the inclusive leadership of women and girls, including gender-diverse persons, and we put the most affected at the center of our work.
We create opportunities for women – and especially girls in their diversity – to develop, engage, influence, and implement the programmes, policies, advocacy, and research that affect them. We bridge the local and the global in meaningful ways, and work across gender, human rights, SRHR, GBV, and HIV. We contribute to the next generation of feminist leadership and movement-building.
Our current team is based mainly across Eastern, Western and Southern Africa, with core team members based in Kenya, Netherlands, South Africa, and the United States. Nearly all our team members are young African feminists who have lived with the impacts of HIV in their communities and their families.
We bring our expertise across policy development, participatory action research, advocacy, programming, youth involvement, meaningful engagement, leadership development, and consultation while ensuring and advancing local accountability.
We, at the ATHENA Network, are seeking a Program Manager based in Francophone Africa to drive our program strategy, lead on program design, management, reporting and evaluation and support
with resource mobilization.
About the Position
Reporting to the Director of Programs, the program manager will provide leadership and oversee programming, support and lead donor reporting, and be the point of contact for various administration and operation aspects for ATHENA, including general supervision of consultants and program staff in consultation with the Director of Programs. The program manager will be the primary lead for ATHENA Network’s work in the Francophone region.
Responsibilities
● Lead projects providing oversight and strategic direction for program strategy across ATHENA Network’s work in the Francophone region.
● Manage day-to-day operations, program management and coordination with #WhatGirlsWant country focal points in Western and Central Africa.
● Take leadership in the delivery of ATHENA Network’s flagship programs, including their design, evaluation, and scale-up as needed as opportunities arise in the Francophone region, and support the reinforcement of existing programs.
● Work with the Director of Programs on program management across program design, implementation and reporting for successful delivery.
● Draft and review organizational and program reports, including documentation of activities with support from core staff and program consultants.
● Amplify the work done by ATHENA Network various programs in partnership with the communications and advocacy lead.
● With the Director of Programs, lead and support the monitoring, evaluation, and learning of ATHENA’s programs.
● Support and work with core staff and program consultants in knowledge dissemination of outcomes from ATHENA’s programs and projects.
● Along with the team and network members, advocate for ATHENA Network and maintain the organization’s public image by being active and visible in the HIV, SRHR and women’s rights community(ies) and working closely with existing partners.
● Provide technical and content expertise in HIV prevention, treatment, and care from a rights-based perspective relating to analysis of relevant policies at the national and global levels to inform ATHENA Network’s programming, in line with the strategic plan.
Desired Qualifications and Attributes
● Advanced degree highly preferred, or equivalent professional experience
● Fluency in English and French required.
● Minimum of 5 years’ experience required with progressive, feminist organizations or grassroots networks working to advance women’s human rights, especially women living with HIV; or in international development , global health or related fields
● Minimum of 2 years’ experience required in management or supervision
● Successful track record supporting a non-profit organization with budget management
● Commitment to ATHENA’s mission to advance the recognition, protection, and fulfillment of women’s and girls’ human rights, comprehensively and inclusively, as a fundamental component of the response to HIV and AIDS.
● Ability to work independently in a virtual environment, while communicating progress and support needed.
● Excellent mentorship, communications and leadership skills, follow-through, attention to detail and ability to multitask.
● Action-oriented, self-directed, flexible, and principled in organizational management
● Willingness to travel as needed
How To Apply
Kindly submit CV or resume and cover letter to comms.athena@gmail.com by 5th October 2024 with the email subject: Program Manager Application – [Full Name].
Compensation
For this position, we offer a one year contract, with the possibility of extension (subject to availability of funding and performance). Compensation and benefits are offered in line with
ATHENA Network’s remuneration policy and according to sector standards and will be
discussed with shortlisted candidates.
ATHENA was established to advance gender equity and human rights in relation to HIV, women’s rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender-based violence. Officially launched in 2005, ATHENA plays a role in policy development, capacity building, and networking, working with partners at the national and regional levels.
ATHENA recognizes that only when women and girls, in all their diversity, know, claim and exercise their rights will we achieve the full enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health and rights, stem the tide of HIV infections, end gender-based violence and achieve global health. We advocate for the inclusive leadership of women and girls, including gender diverse people, and put those most affected at the centre of our work. We create opportunities for women – and particularly girls in their diversity – to thrive, act, shape and implement programmes, policies, advocacy and research that affect them. We bridge the local and global in meaningful ways, and work across the areas of gender, human rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender-based violence and HIV. We help to develop the next
generation of feminist leaders and build movements.
Our current team is primarily based in East, West and Southern Africa, with other core team members based in Kenya, the Netherlands, South Africa and the United States. Almost all of our team members are young African feminists who have experienced the impact of HIV within their communities and families.
We bring expertise in policy development, participatory research, advocacy, programming, youth participation, meaningful engagement, leadership development and consultation, while ensuring and advancing local accountability.
The ATHENA Network is seeking a Program Manager based in Francophone Africa to implement our program strategy, lead program design, management, reporting and evaluation, and support resource mobilization.
About the Position
Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Program Manager will provide external strategic advice and
direction and oversee internal programming, prepare reports to donors and carry out various administrative and operational tasks for ATHENA, including supervision of consultants and program staff in consultation with the Executive Director and the Director of Programs.
Responsibilities
● Lead projects by providing oversight and strategic program direction
within the ATHENA Network’s work in the Francophone region.
● Manage day-to-day operations, program management, and coordination with #WhatGirlsWant National Focal Points in West and Central Africa.
● Take the lead in implementing ATHENA Network flagship programs, designing, evaluating, and scaling them up based on opportunities in the Francophone region, and support the strengthening
of existing programs.
● Support the Program Director in program management through design, implementation, and reporting for successful implementation.
● Draft and review organizational and program reports, including documentation of activities with the assistance of core staff and program consultants
.
● Raise the profile of the work carried out under ATHENA’s various programmes in partnership with the Communications and Advocacy Officer.
● In collaboration with the Programme Director, lead and support the monitoring, evaluation and learning of ATHENA’s programmes.
● Support and collaborate with programme staff and consultants in the
dissemination of ATHENA programme and project results.
● In concert with the team and network members, defend ATHENA’s interests and preserve the public image of the organisation by being active and visible with communities affected by HIV, and those defending women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights and by working closely with existing partners.
● Provide technical expertise on HIV prevention, treatment and care
from a rights-based perspective, in relation to the analysis of relevant policies at the national and global levels, in order to inform ATHENA’s programme direction, in line with the strategic plan.
Desired Qualifications and Skills
● Advanced degree preferred, or equivalent professional experience
● Fluency in English and French is required.
● At least five years of experience in progressive feminist organizations or grassroots networks working to advance the human rights of women, particularly women living with HIV, or in international development, global health or other related fields.
● A minimum of two years of managerial or supervisory experience is required.
● Successful track record supporting a non-profit organization in
budget management.
● Commitment to ATHENA’s mission to promote the recognition, protection and fulfillment of the human rights of women and girls, in a comprehensive and inclusive manner, as a fundamental element of the response to HIV and AIDS.
● Ability to work independently in a virtual environment, while
communicating progress and support as needed.
● Excellent mentoring, communication and leadership skills,
follow-through, attention to detail and the ability to multi-task.
● Action-oriented, ability to work independently, flexibility and adherence to organizational management principles.
● Willingness to travel as needed.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and cover letter to comms.athena@gmail.com by October 5
, 2024 with the subject line: Application for Program Manager – [First and Last Name].
Remuneration
● For this position, we are offering a one-year contract, with the possibility of extension (subject to availability of funds and performance). Remuneration and benefits are in line with the ATHENA network remuneration policy and industry standards; they will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.