Community Mobilization and Human Rights Officers at the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organization (ALCO)

The Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organization (ALCO) is sub regional intergovernmental organization which was established in 2002 with the mission of reducing HIV impact on interregional trade in West Africa. In fact, in view of the increase of migrations on main roads and fostering economic growth, the Heads of States of member countries namely the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria put in place this organization to facilitate road transit and transport as well as the development and implementation of a sub regional HIV/AIDS response.

During its first ten (10) years of service provision, ALCO largely contributed to the improvement of border posts environment and hospital infrastructures from Abidjan to Lagos, STIS and AIDS treatment, as well as the reduction of travelers’ transit time.

Within the framework of the New Funding Mechanism, the Global Fund (GF) grant allocated to ALCO took new directions. This grant focuses on a gradual transition of HIV prevention services to national programs and a reposition of interventions toward strengthening community system as well as the defense of human rights. The grant covers the period from 2016 to 2018.

Aware of the challenges in the framework of the implementation of this grant, ALCO undertook actions in order to efficiently manage the resources which will be made available in the framework of this funding. To this effect, ALCO is recruiting for qualified candidate to who will be based at ALCO’s headquarters in Cotonou/Benin to fill the position below:

Job Title: Community Mobilization and Human Rights Officer

Job No.: 002/04/2016/ALCO/SE/UPM
Location: Cotonou (Benin)
Contract duration: Two (02) years, renewable
Job start date: May, 2016.

Description of Duties

• Under the direct supervision of the Program Officer, the Community Mobilization and Human Rights Officer will ensure the implementation of community mobilization and human rights activities in favor of key populations within the framework of Global Fund new funding mechanism.

In terms of Policies and strategy development:

• Facilitate the assessment of both the legal and social environment in ALCO member countries through:
  • A documentation on drafting laws, policies and regulations affecting access to prevention, HIV care and treatment and other services for key populations in ALCO member countries
  • Assessment of the level of compliance with applicable regulations, policies and laws in accordance with international guidelines in ALCO member countries
  • Assessment of gaps and opportunities by identifying areas where HIV policies could be developed, updated, strengthened or rescinded.
• Contribute to the establishment of a community-based regional program for the promotion of human rights and gender in favor of key populations
• Identify obstacles to the implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention interventions in favor of key populations
• Support the development of a regional advocacy strategy in view of reducing or removing legal obstacles within the framework of key populations access to health services (MSM, IDU, and SW)
• Support the development and setting of a regional program for human rights and gender-based violence (GBV)
  • Contribute to setting community programs and the development of community based activities implementation within ALCO member countries
• Define procedures for community-based activities:
  • The roadmap describing the organization of community-based activities;
  • The criteria for the selection and implementation of community actors (PE, community network, NGOS);
  • Evaluation system for advisors and community actors;
  • Design training modules and communication materials for behavioral change;
  • Definition and adaptation of communication and education approaches (IEC/CBC);
  • Design data collection tools in collaboration with other members of ALCO team, particularly the Monitoring & Evaluation office;
• Facilitate the assessment of the legal and social environment in the context of HIV within ALCO member countries;
• Identify obstacles to the implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention interventions for the benefit of key populations;
• Contribute to the definition of a community based regional program for human rights and gender in the context of HIV;
• Support the development of a regional strategy for advocacy in view of minimizing or even removing legal obstacles in the framework of key populations access to health care;
• Support the development and definition of a regional program for human rights and the fight against gender based violence (GBV), especially in terms of freedom of movement of goods and persons;

In terms of implementation:

• Coordinate human rights and gender activities in favor of key populations (SW, MSM, IDU) within the framework of the New Funding Mechanism
• Support NGOs/Associations to document cases of human rights violation, GBV and lodge official complaint if necessary in HIV context
• Design in collaboration with other ALCO team members data collection tools for human rights and gender component
• Support NGOs/Associations of key populations to develop their action plan in view of the implementation of human rights and gender activities in HIV context
  • Coordinate the implementation of community-based activities in the framework of Global Fund new funding mechanism;
  • Support NGOS /Associations in the development and implementation of IEC /CBC community based activities and the promotion of ALCO’s activities within the community;
  • Support NGOS/Associations in the development and definition of an action plan for the implementation of activities at the regional level;
  • Collect, compile and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual activities reports in view of drawing conclusion;
  • Support the design and updating of monitoring and evaluation plan for ALCO indicators;
  • Coordinate human rights and gender activities in favor of key populations (SW , MSM) in the framework of the new funding mechanism;
  • Design data collection tools in collaboration with other members of ALCO team for human rights and gender component.
  • Support NGOS/Associations to record cases of human rights as well as GBV and to make official complaint if necessary;
  • Supporting NGOS/Associations of key populations in the development of their action plan in view of the implementation of human rights and gender activities in the context of HIV;

In terms of capacity building:

• Identify and plan the needs in training and mentoring in favor of NGO/Associations and key populations in terms of human rights and gender in HIV context
• Organize and conduct the training of supervisory staff of NGO/identity Associations in human rights, GBV, legal advice and representation in ALCO member countries
  • Ensure the training of NGOS/identity and community associations in the daily management of their activities;
  • Train actors in the implementation of community based prevention activities (STI, VCT, outreach programs);
  • Identify and plan the needs in training and mentoring in favor of NGOS/Associations of key populations in terms of human rights and gender in the context of HIV;
  • Participate in the development of educational materials for training and outreach programs;
  • Organize and conduct the training of supervisory staff of NGOS/Associations of key populations in terms of human rights and gender in the context of HIV;
  • Collect, compile and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual activities reports from NGOS /Associations of key populations;
  • Ensure the design and updating of monitoring and evaluation plan for ALCO indicators;

In terms of supervision of activities:

• Ensure proper and efficient implementation of activities by the actors according to the action plan validated by ALCO;
  • Ensure implementation of watch committees’ activities
• Conduct quarterly missions for the supervision of activities carried out by NGOS/Associations;
• Ensure any other duty requested by the Management;

In terms of partnership and networking:

• Support NGOS/Associations of key populations (SW, MSM, and IDUS) with the establishment of networks/platform for discussion and knowledge exchange on human rights concept;
• Support the establishment of peer educator/community advisor in favor of reference and counter-reference activities;
• Establish contacts in view of strengthening ALCO partnership with Donors;
• Promote all actions and interventions conducted by ALCO in member countries;
• Serve as the interface between ALCO and community actors in all member countries;
• Represent the Organization at beneficiaries ‘end with the approval of the direct Head of the supervising manager;
• Ensure any other duty requested by the Management;

Required Profile and Competencies

• The incumbent candidate must hold a Master's degree in Law, Social Sciences, Public Health or any other related field of education;
• Demonstrate relevant experience in terms of human rights and HIV among key populations (MSM, SW)
• Must have proven experience in the field of key populations especially MSM and SW
• Have good skills in terms of advocacy and negotiation in the countries
• Have relevant experience in human rights capacity building
• Must have proven experience with NGOS involved in key populations particularly MSM and SW;
• Must demonstrate experience in organizing and conducting workshops: magazines/review, meetings with key partners;
• Must have at least eight (8) years of professional experience with proven experience in project management, with at least 2 years experience in the framework of the implementation of activities in favor of key populations including MSM and SW;
• Must have very good communication and leadership capacity;
• Must have good analysis and drafting capacity;
• Highly self-directed, motivated, must have team spirit;
• Flexibility and good organization skills;
• Must be computer proficient: Word, Excel, Power Point ;

The following conditions are asset:
a.) Be member of MSM network
b.) Knowledge of key populations environment;
c.) Experience with a development project and knowledge of the project cycle;
d.) Knowledge of the LGBTIQ problematic;

• Must be fluent in both French and English;
• Must be able to work under pressure and meet set deadlines for the implementation of duties;
• Be flexible and able to work in a team within a multicultural environment;

Application Closing Date
17h30mn (Universal Time); Wednesday, 20th April, 2016.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Curriculum Vitae, a Letter of Motivation, a copy of their Degrees, three professional References and their expected salary range to: [email protected]

Note: Only preselected candidates will be contacted.