Position Location: Nigeria
Classification: Full time
About the Disability Rights Fund and the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund
The Disability Rights Fund (DRF) supports the disability rights movement around the world by resourcing organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) to advocate for equal rights and full participation in society. The Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRAF) is DRF’s sister organization, supporting advocacy for legislative change. DRF/DRAF currently work across Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Caribbean. The Funds are grounded in a participatory and gender transformative approach and follow grantmaking, technical assistance, and advocacy strategies to support OPDs to advance the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), including in implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Global Disability Summit commitments, and other key international frameworks.
At DRF/DRAF, we believe our people are what make us great. Reflecting our values and participatory approach, persons with disabilities are leaders and decision makers at all levels of our organization – including our staff, Board, and Grantmaking Committee. We value teamwork and a supportive work environment. Our goal is to find individuals who are good at what they do and passionate about our mission.
Position Summary
DRF is seeking a Program Officer (PO) to manage our annual rounds of grantmaking in Nigeria, implementing country-specific strategies to advance the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. The PO role is also responsible for providing oversight and support to applicants and grantees, monitoring and communicating results, integrating lessons learned, and contributing to refinement of the grantmaking process toward incorporating best practices in funding disability rights and inclusive development in the Global South. They will work closely with the Regional Head of Programs-Africa (RHOP), as well as our Advocacy, Technical Assistance (TA), Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), Communications, and Development staff to ensure that DRF grantmaking in Nigeria is well-aligned, executed, evaluated and reported. The ideal candidate will take an intersectional approach to advancing disability justice, human rights and gender equality. Persons with disabilities in Nigeria are strongly encouraged to apply.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Revise, adapt, and monitor our Nigeria Country Strategy, tracking socio-political barriers and opportunities, progression of disability rights and inclusive development, and growth of the disability movement
- Serve as a liaison to DRF grantees and prospective grantees in Nigeria, including grassroots and marginalized sectors of the disability movement
- Conduct financial and critical analysis of proposals and applicant organizations, including fit of proposals to DRF objectives and strategies
- Prepare concise written analyses of proposals and develop grant recommendations for the DRF Grantmaking Committee (comprised of disability activists and donors)
- Work closely with DRF grants management staff on grants administration
- Work closely with TA Director to identify organizational and strategic support needed by grantees and develop technical assistance plans for Nigeria, recommending helpful resources as appropriate
- Plan and implement grantee convenings and site visits in Nigeria
- Review and analyze grantee reporting, disseminating achievements and disability rights advancements in Nigeria as part of MEL, Communications and Development efforts
- Develop professional relationships with key stakeholders (development partners, government, civil society)
- Collaborate with Regional Head of Programs – Africa, Program Director, and other staff to develop and refine organizational and grantmaking strategies, including MEL, Gender Guidelines, and safeguarding
Education and/or Experience
- Bachelors degree or equivalent in human rights or development (or other relevant fields) with minimum 3 years of related experience; advanced degree desirable
- Experience supporting capacity development of OPDs or other civil society organizations in Nigeria, especially in utilizing international (and regional) instruments for rights advocacy
- Experience addressing achievement of rights and inclusive development (preferably using the CRPD or SDGs)
- Grantmaking experience preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Capacities
- A critical understanding of and a deep commitment to social justice issues facing persons with disabilities
- Capacity to work well in a multi-cultural environment. with diverse populations from around the world
- Willingness to travel to rural / remote areas in Nigeria, and internationally
- Ability to combine the roles of objective evaluator and empathetic observer
- Strong administrative and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently
- Computer proficiency (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); willingness to learn additional applications (and accessible technology) as necessary
- Fluency in written and spoken English
- Preference for Nigerian national
Salary and Benefits
This is a full-time (35 hours per week) position. Base salary and benefits will be commensurate with benchmarking based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and location. DRF offers excellent benefits (health, vision, dental, life insurance, retirement plan contributions), and generous time off policies, as well as a commitment to professional development and growth. Salary and benefits may be adjusted based on requirements of the locality in which the selected candidate is located.
Location
DRF operates primarily as an e-office with headquarters in Boston, MA USA. Location preference for this position is in Nigeria. Successful candidates must be able to work independently in a remote environment.
How to Apply
Email a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to jobs@disabilityrightsfund.org with subject “Nigeria PO”. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
The Disability Rights Fund is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to build a diverse team and foster an inclusive, accessible work culture. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, genetic information, pregnancy or any other legally protected class. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, and recruiting. Individuals who hold historically marginalized identities including, but not limited to, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and persons with disabilities, are encouraged to apply. To request accommodations in applying for this position, contact drfinclusion@disabilityrightsfund.org.
Application Deadline
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. For your application to be considered in the first review, please submit by February 10, 2023.