The Advisor Strategic Initiatives will support CIVICUS’s programmatic priorities for enhanced impact including in relation to defending civic freedoms, promoting civil society participation and ensuring organisational financial sustainability. They will oversee the management of cross cutting CIVICUS projects as well as stand-alone programmatic areas including but not limited to freedom of peaceful assembly, local leadership and resource mobilisation. The Advisor will represent CIVICUS in civil society platforms, international institutions and other relevant forums. They will drive support and expansion of CIVICUS’s network of funders and ensure the fulfilment of reporting requirements to funders.

Project Oversight and Funder Relationships

• Shape, devise and steward project areas entrusted for oversight including but not limited to freedom of peaceful assembly, civil society resourcing and enhancing local leadership.
• Actively participate in the programmes management forum to support strategy setting and implementation in line with CIVICUS’s strategic objectives and annual plan.
• Manage cross organisational grants that cut across workstreams and funder relationships with a view to ensuring timely quality reporting.
• Support efforts to ensure CIVICUS’s financial sustainability including by identifying opportunities to secure new and diverse funding.
• Support the evolution of CIVICUS’s organisational culture with a view to advancing citizen action and fostering collaboration for impactful programme delivery.

Representation

• Provide thought-leadership and represent CIVICUS at key civil society platforms, multilateral institutions and policy forums connected to CIVICUS’s mission and vision.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key organisational stakeholders and networks to advance strategic priorities and support the needs of CIVICUS members and civil society at large.
• Coordination and Harmonisation of Programmatic Teams.
• Ensure coherence of entrusted project activities and teams with a view to advancing CIVICUS’s mission and vision, strategic objectives, and annual plans.
• Ensure effective harmonisation of CIVICUS’s programmatic priorities and coordination between programmatic teams.
• Initiate relevant knowledge offerings, advocacy actions and convenings to advance programmatic priorities.

People and Budget Management

• Ensure effective management of project coordinators and other direct reports while supporting their well-being and professional development.
• Conduct probation, performance management according to HR timelines ensure high performance from staff.
• Oversee proper disbursement and reporting on entrusted budgets.
• Develop a team culture that values collaboration, coherence and effective internal and external partnerships.
• CIVICUS Values and Change Management
• Support innovation and change management by fostering a culture of excellence within teams to ensure continuous improvement and evolution of CIVICUS’s programmatic work.
• Create a culture of professional integrity within teams based on CIVICUS’s values and through personal example.