About CIVICUS
CIVICUS exists to defend people power. As a growing global alliance of over 15,000 members in 189 countries, we work together to monitor violations of basic civic freedoms, call out the perpetrators of violations and strengthen the power of people to organise by supporting a more accountable, effective and innovative civil society. We strive to promote excluded voices, especially from the Global South.
About the Role
The Chief Programmes Officer will guide CIVICUS’s key programmatic priorities for enhanced impact with a view to mobilising citizen action, defending civic freedoms and catalysing civic participation. They will manage and harmonise the work of CIVICUS’s programmatic teams focused on civic space research, public facing advocacy, people centred communications, member and networks outreach as well as innovation and quality management. The Chief Programmes Officer will represent CIVICUS in civil society platforms, international institutions and other relevant forums. They will drive support and expansion of CIVICUS’s networks to advance civic and democratic freedoms.
Key Requirements
- Masters in social sciences, international relations or law (in cases of exceptional experience this requirement can be waived).
- Excellent communication – writing and public speaking - skills in English.
- Significant work experience across a range of civil society organisations with minimum 10 years management experience of which at least 7 years should be at a senior management/leadership level (this position will be supervising the work of at least 5 key programmatic leads).
- Strong communication skills, with proven ability to negotiate and influence change, with sensitivity.
- Deep commitment to and knowledge of human rights and social justice principles.
- Strong analytical, strategic thinking and project management/ planning skills.
- Commitment to CIVICUS’s vision, mission, values and ways of working.
- Demonstrated experience of having worked nationally and internationally.
- Sound understanding of global geo-political trends and a familiarity with key civil society networks and forums.
- Demonstrated management experience in a multi-cultural environment and substantial networks within international civil society.
- Demonstrated experience of working remotely with globally distributed teams.
- Knowledge of one or more UN languages is desirable.
Please click here for a full Job Description
How to Apply
The closing deadline for applications is on the 16th July 2025 at 11:59pm SAST.
Interested candidates should click here to apply or go to https://civicus.bamboohr.com/careers
Your application should comprise of:
- A full CV, including educational and professional qualifications, a full employment history showing the more significant positions, responsibilities held, and relevant achievements.
- A covering note of not more than 1 page outlining your motivation for applying for the role.
Short listed candidates will be contacted 2 weeks after the closing date to schedule interviews.
We appreciate and consider each application submitted. However, given the large volume of applications received, we find it impossible to respond to each applicant immediately. You will hear from us within three weeks only if you’re shortlisted for the next steps. We will update all applicants once the position has been filled.
CIVICUS reserves the right to withdraw any of our vacancies at any time.
