About US:
Minority Rights Group International is currently working with civil society partners in Africa (primarily in the Great Lakes, Horn and East regions) to build strong long-term leadership and organizational capacity of minority-based and interethnic NGOs and community based organizations to enable them to promote the human and minority rights of minority communities.

Job Summary: The Capacity Building Officer will support partners and their staff to develop and grow so as to serve their minority beneficiaries more effectively. The post will work with established and high capacity partners as well as emerging partners. Both the forms and areas of support will be mutually agreed with partners but are likely to include support on leadership, governance, fundraising, gender mainstreaming, and monitoring and evaluation. For emerging partners support in establishing basic organisational systems including attention to staffing finance and programme implementation may also be needed. Emerging partners may also need support in strategy development. It is likely that capacity support will be given through coaching as much as or more than formal training events. The purpose of the job is:
To help Minority Rights Group International (MRG) achieve its aims and objectives through the development and effective management of NGO capacity building activities targeting MRG’s implementing partners in Africa;
Support the development of the Africa Regional Office and the Programmes Department as a whole by active participation as a member of the Regional Office and the Programmes Department team;
To support the management, growth, and strengthening of MRG’s partnerships in Africa;
To assist in learning, documentation, and knowledge sharing amongst MRG’s partners in Africa

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Planning: Plans the programme of work on capacity building of local NGOs within the objectives set by the Africa Regional Manager, the Africa Programme Coordinator and the Director of Programmes.
2. Programme Activity:
Works in consultation with other colleagues working on Africa programmes, including the Media, Finance and Fundraising team, develop criteria and tools to use in assessing all critical aspects of the organizational capacity of MRG’s Africa partners.
Conduct participatory capacity assessment of partner organizations and their staff focusing on areas including but not limited to research, project design, planning, budgeting, fundraising, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, accountability to beneficiaries etc.
Works in close collaboration with partner organisations, document capacity gaps established with clear explanations to the context and specific situations associated with each gap
In consultation with partner organisations, develop an action plan, informed by adaptive, innovative and effective capacity building methodologies, for rigorous capacity building of each and all MRGI’s partners – both in the short and long-term.
Working with partners’ staff, implement capacity building plan to ensure capacity gaps identified are addressed in a timely and effective manner
Regularly review and refine capacity building approaches to ensure most appropriate capacity building actions are employed in addressing each capacity building gap for each partner
Determine capacity building issues that can be addressed collectively or individually with partners and ensure translation of stock of knowledge and skills developed into action
Provide effective training, mentoring and coaching to leverage learning
Works in liaison with the concerned programme coordinators, revisit and standardize planning, budgeting and reporting formats and roll-out common MRGI practices with all partners
Review and/ or develop systems, policies and procedures to enhance formal functionality of partner institutions which will in turn support rapid realization of programme implementation and impact
Ensure simple, relevant, practical and accurate M&E systems are in place and used by all partners to measure progress and impact of their interventions
Support to ensure that project activities, results, and impacts are to the agreed standard, on schedule, and within budget.
In the event of a partner facing a major crises due to either a natural disaster, the outbreak of conflict or government intervention, support organisations with coping mechanisms and business continuity support.
Where individuals or organisations are facing serious threat because of their activism around minority and indigenous rights, liaise with relevant human rights organisations to facilitate protection.
Offer direct technical oversight to capacity building activities of MRGI
Develop the full scope and detailed plan for capacity building activities for MRGI
Works closely with partners and stakeholders in pursuit of MRGI capacity building objectives
Actively promote inter-partners learning on common good practices and exchange of vital programme and institutional information
Work together with MRGI to initiate and promote organizational learning culture that contributes to greater organizational efficiency and impact.
Document and share MRGI experience in capacity development and ensure consistent capturing of best practices
Develop funding proposals for work to strengthen capacities of partners organisations that requires an input of physical capital or considerable staff time e.g. strategy or evaluation processes or a solar generator

3. Financial:
In charge of drafting applications to funders and liaising with in-country donors.
Drafting reports on activities and preparing reports to donors
Managing elements of the project budgets.

4. General:
Undertakes such other tasks as may reasonably be requested by the Africa Regional Manager and Director of Programmes from time to time.
Attends staff and departmental meetings.
Actively contributes to the evaluation of MRG activities and publications.
Covers for absent staff on related work as necessary.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The ideal candidates for the Capacity Building Officer should be educated to degree level or equivalent relevant work experience.
A minimum of three or more years’ work experience in the field of NGO partnership, networking and/or organizational capacity building of a wide range of NGOs
Two years’ experience working with local NGOs
At least five years’ experience of project management, to include consultation, planning, monitoring, gender mainstreaming, implementation, evaluation, and financial and narrative reporting as well as drawing up and controlling expenditure against budgets
Two years’ experience of facilitation, training, coaching and mentoring
Past exposure and experience of working in multi-cultural contexts and skills in cross cultural communication
Good working knowledge of the Africa region including recent economic, political and social developments gained through work experience, travel in the region or study
Good knowledge and understanding human rights, international mechanisms and advocacy.
Detailed knowledge of legal basis for organisation establishment across Africa .e.g. constitutions, boards, as well as ways in which organisations communicate with or represent the wider community they exist to serve.
Comprehensive knowledge of funders based in region and successful experience of applying to them for support
A qualification in organizational psychology, organizational development, development studies, conflict management or other relevant subject is highly desired
Detailed knowledge of minority rights situations in the region is also desired
Past experience of working on minority or related issues
Prior experience of advocacy and lobbying work is an added advantage
Proven ability to impart knowledge and skills
Strong coaching skills
Strong proposal and report writing skills
Good judgement
Sensitive and patient approach to advising and mentoring
Be a good team player but also able to work at times with minimal supervision
Excellent interpersonal skills
Highly capable of working in physically and organisationally challenging environments
Ability to prioritise work, meet deadlines and plan administration of large events, projects and programmes
Ability to stay calm under pressure and to assess and absorb information quickly
Computer literate and knowledge of Word, Excel, database, internet and e-mail packages
Excellent communication skills, including fluent written and spoken English and French
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Possess the ability to gain the confidence of members of minority communities; good diplomacy skills with diverse groups of people
Ability and willingness to travel throughout the region for up to 12 weeks per year as required
Ability and willingness to be self-servicing within the organisation

How to Apply:
All suitably qualified candidates should send a completed application form, download here, and equal opportunities form, download here, via email to recruitment@mrgmail.org by 17:00 Kampala time

Deadline: Tuesday, 7th April 2015.