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About The Center for Reproductive Rights

The Center for Reproductive Rights (the Center) is the global leader in using the power of law to advance reproductive rights as fundamental human rights. Headquartered in New York City, the non-profit, non-partisan organisation has regional offices in Bogota, Geneva, Nairobi, and Washington, DC, and a staff of approximately 250 diverse professionals in 14 countries. 

The Center’s compelling human rights mission and reputation for excellence and cutting-edge legal work have powered its exceptional growth trajectory. It has an operating budget of USD 50 million and won the respect of the world’s leading law firms. This respect is reflected in the additional annual USD 30 million in donated legal services, representing the work of approximately 800 lawyers in almost 50 countries. 

The Center’s new Strategic Plan’s overarching goal sets a high impact mark: By 2030, half of the world’s population will live under stronger protections for reproductive rights than they do today. The Center has a track record of success to back up this ambitious goal. 

Since the Center’s founding in 1992, it has transformed how reproductive rights are understood by courts, governments, and human rights bodies worldwide. These include maternal health, contraception, abortion, and assisted reproduction. The Center has won groundbreaking cases before national courts, UN Committees, and regional human rights bodies. It has led to the development of historic, proactive legislation advancing robust protections for reproductive rights. It has also built the legal capacity of women’s rights advocates in more than 60 countries.

About the Role

Along with the Chief Programmes Officer (CPO), the Senior Regional Director, Africa, is accountable for achieving all key programmatic goals and objectives. The Senior Regional Director, Africa, will report directly to the CPO and is a key member of the Center Leadership Team.

The Regional Director is also responsible for enhancing the reputation and vision of the Center by staying abreast of global human rights and sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) developments. They will speak publicly and serve as a thought leader on critical global issues affecting the work of the Center in Africa. 

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Regional Director, Africa, is responsible and accountable for developing, communicating and executing strategies and mobilising resources to ensure the successful delivery and sustainability of the mandate of the Center in Africa. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy development and Strategic Planning 

• Provide strategic vision and direction for the Center’s role as a global leader in advancing and protecting reproductive rights in the Region–developing both the organisation’s long-term strategies and shorter-term tactical plans for achieving key objectives. 
• Establish key organisational and programme goals, priorities, benchmarks, and timetables, and ensure they are met promptly and effectively in consultation with the CPO. 
• Generate ideas and develop systems for fostering innovative thinking and robust partnerships supporting strategic plan implementation. 

Annual Planning and Implementation 

• Provide strategic guidance, oversight, and support to their team in developing and implementing annual plans supporting the Center’s strategic objectives and priorities. 
• Ensure alignment and effective implementation of programme activities in the Region with the Center’s global mandate. 

Leadership and management

• Supervise senior managers within Africa, providing effective direction, feedback, and support to enhance their ability to perform at their maximum potential. 
• Collaborate with the CPO and Programme management department to establish streamlined and efficient processes and protocols to ensure cross-departmental collaboration among programmes and coordination with the Center’s Global Advocacy, communications, development, and administrative operations teams.

External Relations 

• Lead the development of an integrated Africa Regional External relations plan and priorities for Africa (aligned to organisational external and government relations priorities) and represent the Center with senior levels of government, UN and regional bodies, foundations, NGOs, and media in their regions. 
• Work closely with the Global Advocacy, Development, and other regional teams to position the Center’s work and objectives in Africa with global policymakers and donors.  
• Foster positive partnerships and strategic and effective collaborations with NGOs, policymakers, private-sector lawyers, and other strategic partners in the region. 
• Present in public forums on critical global issues impacting the work of the Center, supporting the Center’s development initiatives where appropriate.

Monitoring and Evaluation 

• Oversee the collection and analysis of the data necessary to track programme effectiveness and impact. 
• Support the Center’s learning and knowledge management initiatives in the Regions. 

Resource Development 

• Work closely with the CPO, Development team and Strategy Evaluation and Learning team to establish and support organisational fundraising goals in Africa. 
• Take the lead in identifying and mobilising resources within Africa and globally to ensure sustainability.
• Support successful cultivation and partnerships with government donors, foundations and other development partners. 
• Expand the scope and impact of the Center’s pro bono partnerships and other strategic networks.

Skills and Experience

• Law degree required with proven knowledge and leadership in developing human rights law and standards, themes and issues with regional expertise, especially regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• Experience driving innovative strategies and positioning new ideas and issues to advance human rights protection, particularly on SRHR.   
• Relevant and demonstrable experience in a senior operational and programmatic role in a complex international organisation, preferably with an INGO.
• Proven ability to work under pressure and balance multiple priorities. 
• Proven ability to foster and create a respectful and productive working environment where all staff and managers can thrive. Experience leading a growing and diverse team.
• Previous experience working in Africa in a decentralised organisation or demonstrable understanding of such an organisation’s dynamics.
• Experience positioning African regional issues and priorities with global policy-makers and donors.   
• A track record of successful management of organisational resources, including people, finances, and assets, and managing associated risks and issues in compliance with the overall governance framework of a global organisation.
• Experience developing partnerships with various stakeholders such as government, donors and civil society organisations. 
• Experience fundraising from foundations and individual donors.
• Experience formulating an organisation’s strategic priorities, taking into consideration trends in Africa and globally.