Sustaining Defenders Programme Assistant – Kampala, Uganda (2025)
Position Details
Position: Sustaining Defenders Programme Assistant – Economic, Environmental & Climate Justice
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Job Category: Programme Management
Type of Job: 3-Year Fixed-Term Contract (Renewable)
Reporting to: Sustaining Defenders Programme Officer – Economic, Environmental & Climate Justice
Start Date: January 2025
Vacancy Announcement Date: 15 November 2024
Application Deadline: Open until filled
About Urgent Action Fund-Africa (UAF-Africa)
UAF-Africa is a feminist, pan-African Rapid Response Fund dedicated to advancing gender equity and transforming power dynamics across the African continent. With its focus on African Women Human Rights Defenders (AWHRDs), the Fund supports feminist and women’s rights movements through a Rapid Response Grantmaking mechanism.
UAF-Africa enables womn to navigate critical moments with innovative, time-sensitive solutions that amplify their agency in peacebuilding, political participation, and governance of natural resources. Registered in Kenya and Zimbabwe, UAF-Africa operates as a virtual organization with a physical presence across multiple regions, including:
- East Africa: Nairobi (Kenya), Kampala (Uganda), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
- North Africa: Cairo (Egypt)
- Southern Africa: Harare (Zimbabwe), Johannesburg (South Africa), Antananarivo (Madagascar)
- West Africa: Abuja (Nigeria), Parakou (Benin), Douala (Cameroon)
For more information about UAF-Africa, visit our website at www.uaf-africa.org.
Position Overview
The Sustaining Defenders Programme Assistant will support the Economic, Environmental & Climate Justice initiatives by facilitating timely financial and technical responses to the needs of African Womn Human Rights Defenders (AWHRDs). This role involves managing grants, ensuring grantee relations, conducting due diligence, and assisting in planning and implementing outreach missions.
Key Responsibilities
As a Programme Assistant, your responsibilities include:
Grant Management
- Act as the primary interface for grantees, ensuring prompt communication with applicants.
- Review grant requests, prepare checklists, and oversee the grantmaking process.
- Ensure grant documentation is accurate, including the completion of grant-related paperwork.
- Correspond with finance teams to facilitate disbursements.
- Maintain relations with grantees, advisors, and fiscal sponsors.
Data and Research
- Input and manage data on platforms like Salesforce.
- Conduct due diligence and report on potential grantees.
- Prepare country-specific context analyses and trend reports.
Outreach and Coordination
- Assist in planning and implementing outreach missions.
- Support networking and programmatic activities across the continent.
- Liaise with advisors and endorsers on grant proposals.
General Administrative Support
- Organize documentation of activities and generate detailed reports as needed.
- Coordinate schedules and ensure timely completion of assignments.
- Perform other duties assigned by the direct supervisor.
Qualifications and Skills
Required Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies, International Relations, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, or related fields.
Experience:
- 2–3 years of relevant experience for degree holders.
- Experience in the feminist and womn’s human rights sector on the African continent.
Key Competencies:
- Strong organizational and planning skills.
- High levels of integrity and confidentiality.
- Excellent verbal and written communication in English (French proficiency is a plus).
- Ability to work independently and in diverse teams.
- Flexibility and willingness to travel across the continent.
Technical Skills:
- Familiarity with grant management systems such as Salesforce.
- Strong research and analytical abilities.
- Proficiency in using virtual work tools.
Company Culture and Values
UAF-Africa is deeply rooted in feminist principles, advocating for a transformative agenda that prioritizes womn’s rights and agency. Employees are encouraged to innovate, collaborate, and contribute to a supportive and inclusive work environment.
The organization values diversity, striving to build a workforce representative of Africa’s vast cultural and social tapestry.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must register on the UAF-Africa website and apply via the following link:
Apply Now
Note:
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- For more information, visit our website: www.uaf-africa.org.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All applications are considered regardless of race, gender, or background.