PROGRAM MANAGER, MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA CAIRO, EGYPT

WITNESS is seeking a Program Manager, Middle East and North Africa (1 year, consultancy basis) in Cairo, Egypt. Do you have a passion for human rights and know how to turn documentation into storytelling into powerful advocacy? Do you care about human rights change in the Middle East and North Africa and have a track record of supporting grassroots activists there to achieve meaningful change? Are you ready to innovate, experiment, and create impact using video? WITNESS uses video to open the eyes of the world to human rights violations. We empower people to transform personal stories of abuse into powerful tools for justice, promoting public engagement and policy change. WITNESS was co-founded in 1992 by musician and activist Peter Gabriel as the realization of Peter's vision of capturing the stories of human rights atrocities on video and putting them at the forefront of human rights campaigns. Since then, WITNESS has trained and partnered with thousands of human rights activists to utilize video for change in over 80 countries all over the world. In response to the popular uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), WITNESS will work to ensure that (1) Video is used effectively to take advantage of this critical moment of transition, and (2) Innovative learning is shared and built upon. Never before has there been such an opportunity for activists and ordinary citizens alike to use video to affect the future of an entire region. WITNESS (www.witness.org) is seeking a highly- motivated, self-directed individual to join the WITNESS Program team as a Program Manager for a 1 year period based in Cairo, Egypt. We are looking for candidates with video and social media expertise; experience working with human rights organizations and activists in the Middle East and North Africa and who speaks Arabic and English fluently. Experience in other regions is also an advantage. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: In partnership with local organizations and activists in the MENA region, the Program Manager is responsible for overseeing the planning, strategy development, production, editing, distribution and use of video and related social media for the purpose of furthering specific human rights goals. S/he conducts trainings and convening on video production and video and related social media advocacy, and promotes WITNESS' work among international human rights and media communities and supports the effective use of other WITNESS initiatives. The Program Manager also participates in WITNESS' Tools and Tactics initiative by supporting widespread engagement in use of effective video for advocacy, and the sharing of useful tools and tactics. Specifically: Campaign Partnerships: In collaboration with the WITNESS' Africa and Middle East Program Manager, initially help support a new partnership in Egypt and possibly other countries later in the year, using video to strengthen movements for change post-January 25. This will entail: Advocacy: In collaboration with Campaign Partner(s) and relevant allies, create and implement a campaign strategy around the use of video in its human rights advocacy. This includes training partners in video and social media-based advocacy strategies, developing advocacy plans, supporting them with strategic distribution, and building alliances with relevant stakeholders and monitoring results. Advocacy Video Production: Serve as co-producer on video and social media projects created with Campaign Partners and provide support at all stages of production. Tools and Tactics and "WITNESS Labs": Support a convening of human rights activists in the region to identify their immediate needs for tools, tactics and video advocacy. Contribute to and help translate current video advocacy materials. Support outreach and distribution of training materials among human rights defenders and citizen activists in the region (such as the Video Advocacy Planning Toolkit - a user-directed, interactive website that includes instructions on creating a Video Action Plan, easy-to-use mobile apps and customized mobile phones), and build strong relationships with others creating video- for-change. Identify and blog regularly about relevant developments in the use of video for change. Push out relevant video advocacy tools, conversations, case studies through the use of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Engage activists and civil society organizations to stimulate strategic, wider, and more effective uses of video in human rights. Work with the WITNESS Labs project to create technology solutions that support safe and effective use of video for human rights. Supervisory and Departmental Support: Contribute to organizational planning and budgeting as well as support fundraising as required. As needed, supervise relevant interns and volunteers and undertake necessary administration and logistical functions relevant to work. External Relations, Communications, and Alliance Building: Create content as needed for WITNESS' website and social media sites, as well as participate in public presentations and media relations as required. PRINCIPAL RELATIONSHIPS: Associate Director, Campaign Partnerships (Supervisor); Program Director (Department Manager); Video Advocacy Training Manager; Middle East and Africa Program Manager and other Program staff within the Program teams. Campaign Partners in the MENA region, civil society globally, partner network, and others using video and new media in human rights advocacy. Potential users of WITNESS training tools and others making innovative and effective use of video in human rights advocacy. Communications, External Relations and Media Operations departments. REQUIREMENTS: Languages: It is an essential requirement of this position to have fluency (oral and written) in both Arabic and English but additional language fluencies are a plus. Education: Relevant Bachelor's required; Master's degree preferred. Work Experience: A minimum of 5-7 years experience working in a human rights advocacy and/or campaigning context, including working collaboratively with human rights and community-based organizations in the MENA region. Regional experience: Significant human rights or other social justice experience working with grassroots advocates, international organizations, and NGOs; and must have experience in Middle East and North Africa, while experience in multiple and/or other regions is a strong plus. Human Rights and Advocacy: In-depth knowledge of international human rights law, standards and principles; demonstrated excellent strategic, analytical and advocacy skills; understanding of collaborative and online advocacy; commitment to WITNESS' values and human rights issues, and interest in social change. Video and social media: Exposure to (and preferably hands-on) video, new media production and editing, and social media, especially in advocacy contexts. Training: Experience in training and teaching. Communications: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both written and verbal form at a variety of audiences, as well as experience in cross-cultural communication. Systems: Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint), as well as Internet research skills; experience of social networking and online video services including YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Work Style: Strong project management and organizational skills; superb attention to detail; ability to multi-task and troubleshoot in pressure situations; demonstrated resourcefulness, optimism, and flexibility in approach to project assignments; strong team player yet able to work independently; demonstrated high degree of maturity. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Hands-on experience with video, film, and new media production and editing, especially in the area of documentary film-making and/or in advocacy contexts. Experience with mobile-based advocacy or organizing. Experience writing content, including blog posts, op-eds and articles for peer review. Experience and comfort conducting public presentations. Start date: As soon as possible. Terms of assignment: 1 year; Consultant. Salary: Commensurate with experience. TO APPLY: Send cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references to programjob@witness.org with the subject line "MENA Manager". Applications accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled; early applications encouraged. Please note that due to the volume anticipated, we will not be able to respond individually to each applicant. We kindly ask that you do not send duplicate applications via mail or email, and no phone calls. Thank you for your understanding.