South Africa Director
Information and Application Pack 2014
The deadline for receipt of applications is 23:59 Sunday 2nd March, 2014. Only shortlisted candidates
will be contacted.
Interviews are scheduled to take place in early March.
To apply, please fill out the application below and send by email to sophie.sutcliffe@crisisaction.org.
The application should be saved as an attachment in Word. Please write “Application: [Your name]” in
the subject line of the email.
Introduction
Crisis Action was created to design and support delivering cutting-edge collective civil society
advocacy to protect civilians in situations of armed conflict. As a coordinating body we seek no public
profile or media spotlight; it is the voice of the coalition that matters. We currently work on two ongoing
campaigns (South Sudan/Sudan and Syria) as well as delivering emergency responses to quick onset
crises (at present Central African Republic).
We have offices across major decision-making centres: New York, Cairo, Nairobi, Washington,
Brussels, London, Paris, and Berlin. Crisis Action is now looking for a candidate to develop
relationships with key civil society groups in South Africa, as well as media and relevant government
officials.
Crisis Action has been awarded the 2012 Macarthur Foundation Award for Effective and Innovative
Institutions and the 2013 Skoll Foundation Award for Social Entrepreneurship. Our latest annual report
summarizes Crisis Action's work during 2012-2013. Earlier reports are also available on our website.
Job description
Title:
South Africa Director
Responsible to:
Deputy Executive Director
Location:
Johannesburg
Length of contract:
We are hiring this position initially on a 12 month contract. There is a
possibility that the contract could be extended beyond 12 months.
Salary:
Competitive, commensurate with experience
Benefits:
25 days of vacation; matching pension fund contribution and other benefits
Principal Roles
1.
Building a diverse, flexible and innovative network in South Africa to advocate for the
protection of civilians in armed conflict – You will be responsible for mapping key actors and
building a network of INGOs, local NGOs, unions, think tanks, academics, other networks, faith
groups and grassroots organisations. You will achieve this by proactively bringing together the
best experts and most powerful drivers among individuals and NGOs on conflict issues as well
as by coordinating high impact campaigns. You will liaise with senior representatives from a
wide range of South African civil society groups and demonstrate to them the added value of
partnering up in efficient coalitions.
2.
Political Analysis – Focusing on actual or potential conflicts, outside of South Africa, of most
concern to the NGOs we work with, you will ensure that Crisis Action supplements their
understanding of potential solutions by analyzing the policy positions of the South African
Government. By building relationships with relevant policymakers and officials you will develop
an in-depth and sophisticated understanding of the South African Government’s position
towards relevant conflicts. This will result in top quality advice to our coalition NGO partners on
analysis, strategy and suggestions for joint action.
3.
Advocacy and Media – A major area of your work will be working to drive forward and develop
advocacy and media work that mobilises the resources and influence of civil society to the
greatest possible effect. This process will involve advising on strategy, developing initiatives
with our coalition NGO partners and then coordinating diverse joint activities. These could
include media work, liaising with senior officials, preparing reports and briefings and identifying
and building relationships with potential allies inside and outside government.
4.
Supporting our global work – You will support the work of our eight global offices and our
partner NGOs in other countries. You will ensure South African civil society is connected to and
helps shape our global work and that of the international human rights movement more broadly.
5.
Management and Administration – You will lead on developing Crisis Action’s practical
presence in South Africa; including financial management.
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Person Specification
The following are essential:

Proven ability to analyse complex political issues and to define sophisticated strategies for
achieving change.

Excellent political judgement and instincts, especially with regard to foreign affairs.

Knowledge of South Africa’s foreign policy, as well as dynamics and processes related to
policymaking on conflicts.

Expertise and proven experience in working with the media, including the ability to write
articles, prepare media releases, contact journalists and promote stories.

Proven track record of running impactful and creative campaigns.

A solid network among relevant South African policymakers and NGOs.

First-class interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build networks and
cultivate high-level contacts in politics, the media and civil society.

Ability to build genuine partnerships with civil society groups to ensure their expertise drives
and determines the nature of our work.

Excellent writing skills, and clear competence in the use of research tools.

The drive and initiative necessary to take ideas forward to fruition in a coalition setting.

High levels of energy, enthusiasm and ambition.

Excellent project-management and administrative skills and a high level of organisation.

Resilience and an ability to cope with multiple internal and external demands.

Commitment to Crisis Action’s aims.

Willingness to take responsibility for the administrative tasks associated with running a small
office.

Experience of being responsible for an operational budget.

Fluent written and spoken English.
The following are desirable:

Knowledge of conflict issues, especially with regard to the role of the international community.

Experience of working with geographically dispersed teams.

Understanding of the challenges involved in organising NGO coalition campaigns.

Knowledge of effective digital campaigning techniques.

Additional languages.
Equal opportunities: Crisis Action values diversity and is committed to equal opportunities. All
applicants for employment will receive equal treatment without discrimination on grounds of gender,
race, ethnic or national origins, personal disability or sexual orientation.
Disabilities: We are committed to making every reasonable adjustment to the workplace or working
arrangements so as to accommodate people with disabilities.
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Application for the post of
South Africa Director
Please write or type in black ink. CVs alone will not be considered.
1. Personal Details
Surname
First name
Address
Date of birth
Telephone - Home
Work
Mobile
Email
Nationality
2. Present or most recent employment
Name and address of employer
Key responsibilities of post
Job Title
Dates employed
From:
To:
Current salary/salary on leaving
Notice required/date available
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Reason for leaving
3. Previous Employment (most recent first)
Name and address of employer
Key responsibilities of post
Job Title
From:
To:
Reason for leaving
Name and address of employer
Key responsibilities of post
Job Title
From:
To:
Reason for leaving
Name and address of employer
Key responsibilities of post
Job Title
From:
To:
Reason for leaving
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4. Education and qualifications
Please list details of your educational qualifications including further education and professional
qualifications, giving dates and grade where known.
5. Language skills
Please list the languages you command including your level of proficiency in each of them (native fluent – very good – good – basic).
6. Other training
Please list any other courses you have undertaken you feel are relevant to the role for which you are
applying.
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7. References
Please give details of three people, not related to you, who may be approached for references as to
your suitability for the post. One should be your present or most recent employer. The second and
third should be references who are able to perform the role for which you are applying.
Please note that references will not be approached prior to interview.
1. Name
2. Name
3. Name
Position
Position
Position
Email/
Tel.
Email/
Tel.
Email/
Tel.
Are you happy that we approach your references after interview without further permission from you?
Yes / No
8. Supporting statement
With reference to the job description for the position for which you are applying, please provide a
statement of up to 1 A4 sheet in length in support of your suitability for the role and why you are
applying. Please cite specific examples of your experience that demonstrate you have the
particular skills and qualities required for the job.
9. Right to work in South Africa
Do you have the right to work in South Africa? Yes / No
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge the information I have provided on this form is true
and correct.
Name
Date
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