JOB OPENING: BEHIND THE MASK

Behind the Mask, one of Africa’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) news websites, is looking for a Link Project Co-ordinator.

Background

The Link is a monitoring human rights violations project whose focus is building support with broader civil society structures on the African continent at Behind the Mask (BTM).

Goal

In 2005, BTM launched a human rights initiative –The Link – to monitor human rights violations in Africa and assist in building linkages with civil society on LGBTI issues. The Link assists BTM in creating an activist component that is separate from BTM’s mission as a news agency.

Key Performance Areas:

Throughout the project, The Link Co-ordinator will;

• Investigate, collect, store and disseminate information related to human rights issues affecting LGBTI people in Africa to the BTM’s newsroom and others. Assist local South African and international media outlets in developing articles related to LGBTI activism in Africa.
• Develop links with civil society organisations across the continent and assist those involved in LGBTI human rights related activism in Africa

• Provide technical assistance to various individuals and organizations, in response to requests for information and support on issues relate to LGBTI activism in Africa. Such requests may include:

• Assist African LGBTI networking, but supporting such efforts as the All Africa Rights Initiative (AARI) and the Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL), and providing information and contacts on LGBTI issues.
• Possibly conduct fact finding missions to at least three countries to assess the laws, presence of LGBTI individuals and/or activists, and whether there are supportive individuals, organisations and environments to increase LGBTI rights in those countries, when necessary. Throughout the project, The Link Co-ordinator will follow up recommendations of these fact finding missions.

Outcomes/Output

• Production of database

• Production of the Link Quarterly Newsletter
• 3 Fact finding missions by the end of each year
• Establishment of partnerships with relevant LGBTI and mainstream human rights organisations.

Job Requirements

• Post-Matric Qualification in the fields of Political, Social & Communication
  Sciences.

• Sound experience in advocacy and human rights/ gender/LGBTI activism
  regionally.

• Good communication & interpersonal skills
• Willingness to travel continentally and internationally (passport required)
• Sufficient Computer Literacy
• Ability to work under pressure
• Good writing, reporting and analytical skills
• Proposal drafting knowledge
• Fluency in French or Portuguese would be an advantage.

Note: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender individuals are encouraged to apply.

Closing date for applications: 18 May 2007

To apply, contact Thuli Madi on thuli@mask.org.za