JOB TITLE: Regional Representative, West Africa (EN-10)
ORGANIZATION UNIT: Programmes
REPORTS TO: Director, Regions
SUPERVISES: While this role does not presently include supervisory responsibilities, it is expected to oversee the regional Legal Advisors and Associate Managers as those positions are recruited and onboarded.
LOCATION: Remote – right to work and live in West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, the Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Senegal and Sierra Leone.
ABOUT EQUALITY NOW:
Founded in 1992, Equality Now is an international human rights organization that works to protect and promote the rights of all women and girls around the world. Our campaigns are centred on four program areas: Legal Equality, End Sexual Violence, End Harmful Practices, and End Sexual Exploitation, with a cross-cutting focus on the unique needs of adolescent girls. We are truly global, and we have a team of 80+ people located all around the world.
MISSION OBJECTIVE:
The Regional Representative, West Africa plays a critical role in advancing Equality Now's mission to achieve legal and systemic change for women and girls. The role provides leadership, external representation, and program management across the West Africa region, ensuring Equality Now is recognized as a trusted and authoritative voice on gender equality and the law. This position bridges regional and global priorities, fostering strong partnerships with women's movements, civil society, regional bodies, and governments to catalyze collective action.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Purpose: Adapt
- Align Equality Now's programme in West Africa with the organisation's strategic plan
- Ensure Equality Now is connected and in the know about what is happening on women's and human rights in Africa
- Facilitate the development of effective social movements, coalitions, and partnerships
- Profile Equality Now as the "go-to" organization on women and the law across the West Africa region
- Serve as one of Equality Now's senior representatives at AU, sub-regional, and UN forums
- Work closely with the Regional Representatives for East and Central Africa and Southern Africa
- Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with women's rights organizations
Engagement: Persuade & Influence
- Provide leadership functional line management to program staff and consultants
- Oversee campaign delivery, ensuring progress reporting and accountability
- Build collaborative networks across West Africa
- Represent Equality Now at regional events, conferences, and media opportunities
- Maintain engagement with AU, UN bodies, and key regional organizations
- Strengthen partnerships with civil society organizations
Delivery: Guide Campaign Project Evolution
- Deliver on key campaign outcomes with measurable impact
- Ensure timely reporting, financial submissions, and compliance
- Drive organizational visibility and impact through effective advocacy
- Identify, document, and share regional engagement opportunities
- Sustain quality delivery of programs and initiatives
- Contribute to proposal development and donor reporting
- Supervise and mentor staff, interns, and consultants
- Oversee project planning, budgeting, and reporting
- Uphold safeguarding, risk management, and organizational well-being practices
POSITION REQUIREMENTS & TARGET SKILLS PROFILE:
Substantive Knowledge
- Demonstrates significant knowledge of Africa's women's rights and human rights landscape
- Deep expertise in human rights mechanisms, including AU systems and treaty monitoring bodies
- Understands policy/legal relationships and global–local dynamics
- Skilled at blending an activist approach with the analytical legal approach
- Experienced in coalition building and movement development
Communication Skills
- Proficiency in French and English
- Adept at fostering cross-cultural collaboration
- Excellent oral and written communicator in English
- Skilled at simplifying complex legal and policy concepts
- Strong media representation experience
- Leads with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and active listening
Execution Skills
- Proficient in program and financial reporting
- Strong operational management
- Self-starter with the ability to work across diverse environments
- Demonstrated team leadership
- Skilled in managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally and domestically
Targeted Specialized Knowledge
- Bachelor's degree in law, international legal studies, or related field (or equivalent experience); Master's degree in gender, social development, law, or human rights preferred
- 8+ years of progressive experience in legal, human rights, or women's rights advocacy, including substantial supervisory experience
- Experienced in program/project management
For complete job description and to apply, visit:
HOW TO APPLY:
Job Openings (https://equalitynow.bamboohr.com/careers )