Job Announcement: Human Rights Coordinator – Refugees’ Rights Specialist

 

Organization: Democracy Development Foundation (DDF)

Position: Action Coordinator (Refugees’ Rights Specialist)

Duration: 3-year term

Location: Yerevan, Armenia

 

Summary

The Democracy Development Foundation (DDF) is looking for a skilled and enthusiastic Action Coordinator to join its vibrant team and spearhead the Foundation’s newly started multifaceted initiative in the area of Human Rights with a focus on refugees’ rights.

 

Action Background

The action targets the rights and needs of refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) residing in Armenia. It introduces a broad range of measures that aim to address the multiple and layered challenges that around 120,000 refugees face. They are meant to have the following overall impact: NK refugees residing in Armenia are empowered to uphold their fundamental rights, and there are accessible mechanisms for identifying and addressing the specific human rights vulnerabilities of different groups within the refugee population. The action team plans to achieve this impact by pursuing three Specific Objectives:

• Provide opportunities for self-organization and initiative-taking among refugee communities to uphold their rights and address the challenges their communities face.
• Establish and operate referral and information-sharing mechanisms for raising and addressing issues related to the rights of refugees.
• Establish services and mechanism for advancing the rights of refugee groups with specific vulnerabilities.

 

These objectives are planned to be implemented by the Democracy Development Foundation (in lead) in partnership with the Estonian Refugee Council (ERC), Commit Global (CG), and the Coalition to Stop Violence against Women (CSVW) with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia.

 

Organizational Background

The Democracy Development Foundation (DDF) has been established with the aim to contribute to democracy-building, human rights protection, and the promotion of peace and security in Armenia. Having a strong commitment to open society values, the Foundation invests in empowering civil society actors and initiatives working in the above-mentioned areas. It also actively supports democratic reforms in the country in the form of advocacy and policy development efforts. In the upcoming years, the organization will continue to serve as a focal point for collective civil society efforts and effective communication and collaboration with other stakeholders.

 

Reporting

The Action Coordinator (AC) will report to the Director of DDF (also the Action Manager of the respective initiative from DDF). The AC will liaise with other DDF staff members (e.g., Senior Program Manager, other Portfolio Managers, Head of Operations, and Grants Manager) on areas/programs of mutual interest or overlapping responsibilities.

 

Role and Responsibilities

The Action Coordinator will play a central role in the development, coordination, and implementation of advocacy and support initiatives for refugees. This position is crucial to ensuring the smooth operation of all related activities and maintaining effective communication among implementing partners and stakeholders. Key responsibilities include:

• Organizational and Technical Support: Provide organizational and technical assistance for daily activities, ensuring the seamless execution of project objectives.
• Timeline Management: Monitor and manage timelines for DDF and all engaged partners, ensuring that deadlines and milestones are met.
• Stakeholder Communication: Serve as the main point of contact, facilitating clear and efficient communication between the team and external partners.
• Progress Reporting: Submit regular progress reports that provide insights into ongoing activities and suggest potential areas for improvement.
• Support for Sub-grant Evaluation Committee:

Organize and coordinate regular meetings for the Committee.

Review submitted proposals and prepare all necessary documentation for evaluation.

Maintain comprehensive records of committee deliberations and decisions (protocols).

Act as a liaison, facilitating communication between the committee, the Director, and the Board of Directors.

Sub-grant Management: Ensure that sub-grantee projects are on track by monitoring their progress, providing support as needed, and addressing any challenges that arise to ensure successful outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain regular communication with key stakeholders, including civil society organizations, donor communities, and relevant state institutions.

Meeting Attendance and Representation: Represent the organization by attending relevant meetings, both in Armenia and abroad, and provide detailed reports on these engagements.

 

Qualifications

• A minimum of three years of experience in project management or coordination, with prior experience in civil society and refugee programs considered an asset.
• A university degree (bachelor’s or higher) in social sciences, human rights, or a related discipline.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to foster collaboration among diverse groups.
• Fluency in Armenian and English.
• A demonstrated sensitivity to refugee issues and gender-related challenges.
• A principled commitment to inclusion and non-discrimination in all project activities.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to facilitate meetings and discussions effectively.
• The ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Experience in conducting needs assessments, reviewing project performance, and documenting best practices.
• The ability to work independently while maintaining close coordination with various teams.
• Strong listening and mediation skills, with the ability to balance differing perspectives.
• Availability to travel within Armenia and internationally as needed.
• Experience working with vulnerable groups is considered an asset.

 

How to Apply

Send your CV (including two references) and Cover Letter to [email protected] by COB October 24, 2024. Please mention “Action Coordinator – Human Rights” in the subject of your email. In the cover letter (one page max), you are requested to provide details of one successful project in which you were involved and the particular role you played.