The Africa Judges & Jurists Forum (AJJF) - Careers
Director – Elections and the Rule of Law in Africa.
Duty Station: Johannesburg, South Africa
A rare, exciting opportunity for jurists committed to the rule of law and development in Africa has arisen with the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF).
The AJJF seeks a new Director to lead the organization’s work across Africa, to strengthen the rule of law in the context of elections and democracy as a catalyst for sustainable development in accordance with the aspirations of the African Union and the sub-regional economic communities.
This executive leadership position is preferably based in Johannesburg, South Africa, starting with effect from 1 October 2023. The Director will lead a team of experts who work across Africa to promote the rule of law and development in the context of elections and democratisation in the region. The position helps create space and opportunity for the successful candidate to strengthen Africa’s stability and prosperity which will enhance its impact on the development of a just world order.
The Director will manage relations with key stakeholders including the Executive Branch, The legislative Branch, the Judicial Branch (from Chief Justices to magistrates), the Election Management Bodies (EMBs), Bar leaders, legal academics, lawyer human rights defenders, civil society and business community in a way that positions and re-affirms the role of the AJJF as pan African leader in promoting justice, human rights, good governance, and the rule of law and development on the African continent. The role further allows the incumbent to link with and leverage the vast network of AJJF distinguished jurists members from different African jurisdictions in order to build a critical mass of jurists interested in the connection between elections, democratisation and, the rule of law and development in Africa and how to take practical programmatic steps to bridge the gap between regional standards adopted under the auspices of the African Union and RECs and the practices at the national level.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Secretary General of AJJF, the Director will be responsible for the overall designing and implementation of the AJJF’s programming on elections and the rule of law in Africa, as follows;
- The design and implementation of a strategy and plan for fundraising and resource mobilisation for AJJF’s programme on elections and the rule of law in Africa;
- Help AJJF to identify, recruit, nurture and retain talented people and build great teams to discharge the mandate of AJJF on elections and the rule of law in Africa;
- Supervision and performance evaluation of all staff under the elections and rule of law programme;
- Monitor, document and report threats to the rule of law in the context of elections in Africa;
- Initiate and oversee legal and policy research and analysis of strategic issues regarding elections and the rule of law in Africa;
- Continuously monitor and evaluate the impact of AJJF’s work on elections and the rule of law; ensuring that it remains relevant and strategic;
- Keep AJJF leadership informed of relevant and significant political developments that affect elections and the rule of law in Africa;
- Ensure that any periodic narrative and financial reports of the programme are produced timeously and accurately;
- Assist in providing mentorship, legal and policy guidance to programme staff in the sub-regions;
- Represent AJJF in external engagements with critical stakeholders in the eco-system of elections and the rule of law in Africa including government officials, civil society, as well as with the diplomatic community, donors; regional and international intergovernmental bodies;
- Participating in regular Directors meetings to help the Secretary General make sound decisions in running the organisation;
- Undertake media work on behalf of the AJJF.
- Undertake any other responsibilities as may be directed by the Secretary General from time to time.
QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate will have:
- University degree in law and a master’s degree in international human rights law or the equivalent;
- At least 15 years of legal experience preferably at regional and/or international level, including with non or inter-governmental organizations;
- At least 10 years of implementing election-related programming in Africa, especially the capacity building of judges and lawyers on judicial electoral dispute resolution;
- Demonstrable experience working with judiciaries and other justice sector actors in Africa.
The AJJF is an equal opportunity and makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s ethnicity, race, religion, colour, sex, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis.
Applications close on 15th August 2023 and should be addressed by email to hr@africajurists.org with Ref: Director – Elections and the Rule of Law in Africa. Please attach your CV (not longer than 3 pages), a cover letter and the names and contact details of at least two referees.
We regret that we are unable to answer phone enquiries and further due to the volume of applicants, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.