Africa Program Manager, Bank Information Center

Africa Program Manager

Organization:

Bank Information Center

Location:

United States (Washington, DC)

Website:

http://www.bicusa.org

Contact Information:

Alvin Carlos

Email:

jobs@bicusa.org

Fax:

202-737-1155

Description:

The Bank Information Center (BIC) partners with civil society in developing and transition countries to influence the World Bank and other international financial institutions (IFIs) to promote social and economic justice and ecological sustainability. BIC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization that advocates for the protection of rights, participation, transparency, and public accountability in the governance and operations of the World Bank, regional development banks, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Africa Program focuses primarily on the World Bank Group (including the International Finance Corporation and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). BIC works collaboratively with non-governmental organizations throughout the region to support analysis and advocacy related to IFI operations in Africa. A key objective of the program is to strengthen civil society capacity for informed engagement on development issues in Africa.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES The Africa Program Manager position requires an individual who is a proven activist, manager, and fundraiser. He or she must be able to run the Africa Program while actively collaborating with BIC’s Policy Program and other regional programs to further organization-wide goals. Key responsibilities are listed below.

1) Management • Lead BIC’s program on Africa. Includes working with senior management, Policy and Information Services staff on program development and implementation, and supervising the Africa Program staff and interns.

2) Outreach and Communications • Conduct outreach activities in the region that allow BIC to share information and to deepen its understanding of relevant issues and range of actors interested in IFI activities. • Strengthen existing relationships and cultivate new contacts with civil society organizations (CSOs) and networks in the region, as well as with relevant academics, policy-makers, and the press. • Build and maintain relationships with organizations in the US and Europe that share BIC’s advocacy goals. • Serve as an ‘IFI liaison’ for civil society, by developing relationships with IFI officials involved in the design, approval, and implementation of development policy and projects in the region, in order to inform and facilitate the direct engagement of local partners with these institutions.

3) Capacity Building and Advocacy Support • Strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations in Africa to understand and influence the role and operations of IFIs in the region. • Support affected communities in their analysis and advocacy campaigns on IFI-related “problem projects” and policies. • Provide in-country training activities on IFI-related analysis and advocacy. • Collaborate with BIC’s partners to advocate for reform of the projects, policies and strategies of the World Bank Group, AfDB and other IFIs in the region, with an emphasis in the following areas: transparency, accountability, participation, and human rights.

4) Research and Writing • Monitor World Bank Group and AfDB projects, policies, and initiatives that are of significant environmental and social concern for affected groups in Africa. • Produce analytical briefings and country-specific IFI updates on a periodic basis.

5) Fundraising • Work with the Executive Director in raising funds for the regional program, through identifying potential new funding sources, writing proposals, communicating with funders and producing periodic grant reports.

SALARY AND BENEFITS This is a full-time (40 hrs/week), salaried position. Salary will be competitive for an equivalent NGO staff position and commensurate with experience. BIC offers outstanding benefits including generous annual leave with pay, fully covered health insurance, and a friendly work atmosphere in an international team.

PROCESS Send a cover letter, resume/CV and two short writing samples to jobs@bicusa.org or by fax to 202-737-1155. Write “Africa Program Manager” in the subject heading. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis through May 14, 2007. No phone calls, please.

Qualification:

1) Demonstrated commitment to social change and strong interest in environmental, economic and social justice. 2) Five to seven years of experience in the development or environment fields working for or collaborating with NGOs or social movements, with at least three years experience with organizations in Africa. 3) Graduate-level degree in relevant social science field, such as political science, African studies, economics, environmental science, or international relations. 4) Thorough understanding of international development issues, especially of IFI roles and activities. 5) Excellent research, analytical, writing, and communications skills. 6) Fluency in English is essential. Fluency in French is strongly preferred. Fluency in Portuguese, a plus. 7) Willingness to travel up to 40% of the time.