Regional Opportunity
Job Title : Social and Cultural Affairs Officer
Grade : P2
Division : Gender and Social Services
Duty Station : Lusaka
Basic Salary Scale : COM$ 42, 723.56 – COM$ 53, 831.27 per annum.
Report to : Senior Gender Mainstreaming Officer
A. JOB PURPOSE
To Promote the Development, Harmonization and Implementation of Policies, Frameworks, Mechanisms, Programmes, Projects, and Initiatives that enhance Cooperation on Social Development, Youth Empowerment, and Cultural Exchange within the COMESA region.
B. MAIN DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Gender Mainstreaming Officer and overall supervision of the Director of Gender and Social Affairs, the incumbent of the post will perform the following duties:
- Coordinate and promote the development and harmonization of policies that enhance cultural exchange and youth empowerment within COMESA and formulate and roll out the regional Strategies on social and cultural affairs;
- Undertake studies, develop publications and advocacy materials to champion social development, and the elimination of gender-based violence, child marriage and other harmful practices, alcohol and drug abuse, human trafficking, and other social challenges affecting vulnerable groups in the region;
- Promote cultural and sporting exchanges within the COMESA Member States to enhance cohesion, peace and security, and socio-economic development;
- Promote cultural and creative arts tourism development and easy movement of cultural products in the region, and greater access to regional and international art markets;
- Develop policies, strategies and mechanisms for Member States to engage in Regional and Global Partnerships for Social and Cultural Development;
- Promote and support mainstreaming of cross cutting socio – economic issues – gender, equity, HIV/AIDS, human rights, youth development and empowerment, in all policies, plans, strategies, programmes and projects at all levels of COMESA;
- Develop, coordinate, promote and implement initiatives to enhance youth entrepreneurship, volunteerism, internship, employment, engagement and participation in governance, civic engagement, peace and conflict prevention and resolution, and socio-economic development processes and regional integration;
- Develop strong relations with youth development officers, national youth associations, social- development agencies and various stakeholders including child and maternal health national coordinators within the Member States, and obtain reports on programmes, good practices and achievements in the relevant sectors covered by the Social Charter of COMESA;
- Undertake research, analyse and synthesize information on issues relating to social development, youth empowerment and development, gender equality and human rights and generate regional reports with disaggregated data, statistics and information;
- Coordinate and network with other stakeholders such as FAWE, AU-CIEFA and others on the promotion of girls’ education, universal primary education and adult literacy within Member States, and UNESCO on matters of culture, and other relevant organizations;
- Undertake resource mobilization, create and strengthen partnerships with government institutions, international organizations, and other stakeholders to support social, youth, cultural and sports initiatives; and
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the supervisor from time to time.
C. MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Gender, Business Administration, International Relations or related field
- A Postgraduate qualification in any the above fields will be an added advantage.
D. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
At least six (6) years of practical experience in a similar or related field such as youth programming, gender, human rights, and other related fields. Experience in policy development, research, advocacy, resource mobilization, creating partnerships, and working at regional level.
E. PLANNING, MONITORING AND REPORTING
- Prepare quarterly and annual work plans including budgets and justifications, aide memoires for the unit;
- Monitor implementation of health, youth and other social affairs related activities in Divisions, Units, Programmes, Projects and Member States and prepare reports on the status of implementation and results achieved;
- Monitor budget and expenditure, and prepare financial reports on the activities in the unit in collaboration with Division of Budget and Finance;
- Prepare programme reports including annual reports with details of results achieved for the information of stakeholders.