DEMOCRACY, GENDER AND INCLUSION PROGRAM

PROGRAM OFFICER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY CAMPAIGN

Full-time position based in New York, NY

Application deadline: September 30, 2024

Background

Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) is a network of approximately 1,000 legislators from 150 elected parliaments around the world, who join in their individual capacity, to mobilize and inform colleagues about human rights and the rule of law, human security, peace, inclusion, gender equality, and justice, including climate justice, and the environment. The network undertakes specific actions and international initiatives supported by a Secretariat, with its main office in New York City and an office in The Hague, Netherlands.

PGA’s vision to contribute to a rules-based international order for an equitable, safe, sustainable and democratic world can only be achieved through the full protection and active promotion of the human rights of those most vulnerable, including girls and women, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) persons.

Summary Description

PGA seeks a dynamic and collaborative full-time Program Officer to help design and implement actions of PGA’s Global Parliamentary Campaign against Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI Campaign). The campaignseeks to build the capacity and political will of legislators globally to understand, and meaningfully engage, with LGBTQI+ civil society; and to protect and guarantee the human rights of LGBTQI+ people by repealing discriminatory laws and/or adopting legislation and policies that are more inclusive and consistent with regional and international human rights standards. 

The Program Officer should have proven experience working in international human rights law and LGBTI+ issues, understand the landscape of stakeholders in this field and demonstrate strategic thinking and sensitivity in working closely with decision-makers. Experience working with parliamentarians is a plus. The Program Officer should have knowledge and experience in grant writing and reporting as well as in designing collection tools and completing monitoring and evaluation frameworks. The Program Officer should also have experience in managing projects and in setting benchmarks.

This position reports to the Program Director based in New York City. Legal authorization to work in the United States is required, as well as the ability to travel internationally. The office operates in a hybrid modality. 

Responsibilities

• Assist the Program Director in the design and implementation of actions and initiatives of the SOGI Campaign, including a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework.
• Closely collaborate with team members to ensure gender equality is mainstreamed throughout and advocacy actions are designed and implemented in a coordinated manner.
• Maintain close communications with members of parliament, local partners, government officials and other relevant stakeholders in the SOGI Campaign. Identify and engage with stakeholders in target countries and globally to advance the Campaign’s goals.
• Coordinate with the communications officer to develop and implement a strategic communications plan as part of the Campaign’s global strategy. This includes: amplify actions by PGA members and other legislators in social media; regularly update dedicated pages on the Campaign’s key achievements, activities and calendars on our website; prepare speeches, statements, blogs, social media posts, and other materials as needed.
• Upon request for technical legal assistance from a Parliament and/or Parliamentary Committee, draft relevant legal texts and/or “model” legislation, as well as legal language appropriate to promote equality and inclusion of LGBTQI+ people.
• Conduct ongoing research and monitor news and developments on issues relevant to the Campaign.
• Prepare grant reports, collect data and complete Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) frameworks, draft surveys and interview questions for parliamentarians and other participants.
• Update regularly the Program’s contact database and data collection files with information from the SOGI Campaign.
• Liaise with other team members to advance the goals of the Program, namely democracy, human rights, equality and inclusion, and explore synergies for close collaboration with colleagues to promote the organization.
• Identify opportunities and implement activities for increasing capacity of LGBTQI+ organizations through interactions with parliamentarians at the local, regional and national levels.
• Liaise with the administration/finance team, in collaboration with the Director, on logistical and administrative matters.
• Organize event logistics (virtual and in-person) as needed, including liaising with speakers, drafting speaking points, agendas and outcome reports, posting on social media, etc. In case of in-person events, scheduling flights, hotel accommodation, local transportation, etc.
• Participate in meetings, seminars, webinars, etc. on topics related to the SOGI Campaign on behalf of PGA’s Secretariat.
• Perform other tasks as required upon direction of PGA’s Secretary-General and/or Deputy Secretary-General.

Qualifications:

• A degree in law, international relations/political science, human rights, gender studies or related field.
• At least three years of experience in implementing and/or managing projects, from design to execution and reporting, and in building social movements for change.
• Experience working on international human rights law, particularly on LGBTQI+ issues.
• Excellent oral and written communications in English.  Additional language skills are a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and awareness of intersectional identities to work collaboratively with parliamentarians, government officials, local LGBTQI+ civil society organizations, and with team colleagues.
• Strong initiative and follow-through, capacity to make sound decisions and to think strategically, to multi-task effectively, and to work under tight deadlines.
• Flexibility to pivot amid challenges and remain open and humble to learning.
• Ability to travel internationally.

Annual salary $70,000. Benefits include full medical and dental insurance, hybrid workplace (2-3 days a week in the office), retirement plan, paid vacation and holidays.

Contact: Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references to  Kindly include your name and “SOGI Program Officer” in the subject line of your email.

No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview. Top candidates will be invited to take a test. We regret to be unable to further contact or notify unsuccessful applicants for this position.