Project Officer :Advocacy and Inclusion

Project Officer: Advocacy and Inclusion Job Description

Job Title	Advocacy and Inclusion Officer
Location	Standing Voice Lilongwe Office, with field work covering any District of operation in Malawi.
Contract Type	1 year renewable
Hours	40 hours per week (8 hours per day) / 8am to 5pm each day
Reporting to	Programmes Manager

This role is ideal for someone who:

• Has experience in livelihoods programming, vocational training, education, or social enterprise initiatives.
• Enjoys working directly with communities to build long-term economic opportunities and security.
• Has a strong background in stakeholder engagement, including government agencies, civil society networks, training institutions, and businesses. ✔ Wants to make a tangible impact on the lives of people with albinism in Malawi.
• Is highly organised, with skills in programme implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

About Standing Voice

Standing Voice (SV) is a leading international NGO dedicated to promoting the rights, well-being, and inclusion of people with albinism in Africa. Through our core programs in Health, Education, Socioeconomic Empowerment, and Advocacy, we reach thousands of people with albinism across Malawi and Tanzania, providing lifesaving services and creating sustainable pathways to inclusion.

SV is locally registered in Malawi and has a proven track record of delivering holistic, high-impact interventions that address the unique challenges faced by people with albinism. With over 20 years of experience, our team is at the forefront of developing scalable best practices that empower communities, strengthen local capacity, and drive lasting change.

The organisation holds special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). We are funded by philanthropists, trusts & foundations and multilateral agencies – including the European Union, United Nations, Pierre Fabre Foundation and World Bank to deliver a wide range of innovative projects to those furthest behind.

Why Our Work Matters

Albinism is a genetically inherited condition that results in melanin deficiency, leading to visual impairment and extreme vulnerability to skin cancer. Tragically, most people with albinism in Africa do not live beyond the age of 40 due limited access to adequate healthcare. Beyond these health challenges, people with albinism are a persecuted minority, facing widespread discrimination, social exclusion, and violent attacks driven by harmful myths and superstitions. Since 2006, hundreds of human rights violations against people with albinism have been documented across Africa.

The majority of people with albinism live in rural, impoverished communities, where access to healthcare, education, justice, housing, and employment remains severely limited. At Standing Voice, we are committed to breaking these barriers—ensuring that no one is left behind.

Role Summary

The Advocacy and Inclusion Officer will play a key role in implementing socioeconomic empowerment and livelihoods initiatives at Standing Voice. This includes supporting social enterprise projects, coordinating education, vocational training, and work experience opportunities for people with albinism in Malawi. As part of the Community Support and Social Protection team, the officer will also contribute to the organisation’s Tailored Support Initiatives, which provides specialised assistance to survivors of abuse via a toll-free helpline, clinic based counselling, and ongoing psychosocial support services.

The Project Officer will be responsible for delivering activities under the Titukulane

Project, co-funded by the European Union, the United Nations Voluntary Fund for

Victims of Torture, and the Pierre Fabre Foundation. Additionally, they will support the Skin Cancer Prevention Programme through capacity building, progress monitoring, and ensuring adherence to Standing Voice’s standards and best practices.

Working closely with the Programmes Manager, the Project Officer will build relationships with key stakeholders, including vocational training institutions, businesses, civil society organisations and other key partners to strengthen socioeconomic empowerment efforts through the Titukulane Project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Implementation and Management:

• Coordinate the socioeconomic and livelihood initiatives at Standing Voice Malawi.
• Develop and implement programme activities in line with project cycles, ensuring adherence to timelines, donor requirements, and best practices.
• Ensure technical compliance with Standing Voice (SV) procedures, standards and policies.
• Design and oversee project plans, budgets, and timelines for socioeconomic empowerment, livelihoods, and training initiatives.
• Provide counselling and emergency material assistance in cases where a person with albinism is at immediate risk.

Advocacy, Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination:

• Conduct stakeholder mapping to identify key service providers and build strategic partnerships.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with government agencies, training institutions, district councils, NGOs, and other key stakeholders.
• Organise and facilitate meetings, workshops, and training sessions to engage stakeholders and advance project goals.
• Develop and implement an effective referral mechanism for people with albinism (PWA).
• Establish formal partnerships and referral pathways with specialised experts, organisations, and agencies.
• Facilitate the drafting and signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen collaborative support networks.

Technical Support and Capacity Building:

• Provide technical guidance and support to project staff and implementing partners.
• Coordinating and delivering training
• Providing mentorship and capacity building with partners.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation:

• Support data collection, entry, and analysis to ensure high-quality reporting.
• Prepare regular reports for internal and external use, including for donors and key stakeholders, detailing project progress and impact.
• Track project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) indicators, assessing effectiveness of delivery, and identifying areas for improvement.
• Maintain and manage programme trackers, ensuring data integrity and performing quality control checks.
• Develop detailed case studies of client experiences, and maintain up-to-date case profiles for individuals supported by Standing Voice programmes.

Finance and Administration:

• Prepare and manage project budgets, track expenditure, and support project payments.
• Ensure timely liquidation of activity expenses, organising and securely filing financial records, including receipts and expenditure reports.
• Provide administrative support when required to ensure the smooth operation of office and project activities.

Other Responsibilities:

• Represent Standing Voice at meetings, conferences, and public events.
• Participate in research and advocacy events to promote the rights and inclusion of people with albinism.
• Handle referral cases from districts and partner agencies, ensuring appropriate support is provided.

 Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Development Studies, Education, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in programme/project support.
• Experience working with vulnerable groups, particularly those affected by gender based violence, disability, and extreme poverty.
• Experience in socioeconomic empowerment and livelihoods initiatives.
• Strong report writing skills with experience in producing high-quality reports.
• Strong numeracy and budget management skills.
• Experience with data collection and analysis

Reporting Structure:

The Advocacy and Inclusion Officer will report directly to the Programmes Manager.

If you’re ready to use your skills to create real change, apply now!

📍 Location: Lilongwe, Malawi

📅 Application Deadline: Monday, April 28th 2025

📩 How to Apply: Send CV, Cover Letter and copies of relevant certificates to     tuntufye@standingvoice.org&  ruth@standingvoice.org

Employee Benefits & Commitment to Inclusion

At Standing Voice, we value our team and offer a range of employee benefits, including:

• Health insurance
• Access to training and professional development opportunities
• Annual leave and a pension reward policy for long-term employees

As an equal opportunity employer, Standing Voice is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and discrimination-free workplace. We ensure that no job applicant, employee, or volunteer is treated unfairly based on race, nationality, ethnicity, color, religion, spiritual beliefs, physical appearance, social status, age, gender identity, disability, marital or parental status, trade union activities, sexual orientation, or mental health history.

We strongly encourage individuals impacted by albinism to apply and join our mission to create a more inclusive and just society.