User Voice Coordinator at CBM International

Job Overview and Core Purpose

• The User Voice Coordinator holds a pivotal role, providing crucial technical support to the Pan African Network of Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities (PANPPD).
• This position focuses on cultivating meaningful participation and inclusion of individuals with psychosocial disabilities, ensuring their perspectives guide the implementation of the Africa Mental Health Leadership Program (AMHLP).
• The primary responsibility of the position holder is to coordinate and facilitate empowerment initiatives for persons with psychosocial disabilities through their representative organizations across Africa.
• This necessitates close collaboration with both state and non - state actors including mainstream civil society organizations.
• The role involves providing strategic operational direction, maintaining program quality, fundraising and organizations strengthening

Based:

• We welcome applications from those with the right to work in Kenya, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Nigeria, or Zimbabwe.
• Applicants without the right to reside and work in one of these countries will not be considered. 

Reports to:
The User Voice Coordinator will report to:

• Technical Advisor, Pan African Network of Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities
• The Regional Mental Health Advisor for Africa, CBM Global.

Responsibilities and Duties  

• Develop and implement strategies to empower and strengthen organizations representing persons with psychosocial disabilities in Africa.
• Cultivate and sustain collaborative relationships with persons with psychosocial disabilities through their representative organizations, government bodies, National Human Rights Institutions, mainstream civil society organizations, private entities, regional and international OPDs, and advocacy groups to enhance their involvement and representation.
• Design and execute surveys, focus groups, and feedback mechanisms that will inform and enhance the AMHLP with valuable insights and suggestions from individuals with lived experience.
• Coordinate and manage meetings, workshops, dialogues, and forums to ensure effective engagement and representation of persons with psychosocial disabilities.
• Stay updated with the latest research, policies, and practices in mental health, user engagement, and community involvement in compliance with international human rights good practices.
• Engage in professional development activities to enhance personal skills and expertise in user voice coordination
• Prepare timely project reports on a quarterly basis.
• Note: Many of these activities will be defined by the work plan for the fourth pillar of the Africa Mental Health Leadership Programme, led by Africa CDC.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• Understands power imbalances and ways in which team/organisational culture may be reinforcing negative stereotypes and biases, and the impact of these dynamics on the vulnerable and marginalized.
• Able to implement safeguarding requirements in their area of responsibility. 
• Acts as a role model for CBMG’s and PANPPD’s commitment to zero-tolerance for abuse, do no harm and safeguarding standards. 
• Reports and escalates safeguarding concerns appropriately. 
• Challenges inappropriate behaviours of peers. 

Person Specification

• All of the following requirements are essential, unless marked with a * when they are desirable, and will be assessed from a combination of information provided from the application form and interview process.

Qualifications, Training, and Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Mental Health, Human Rights, Disability Rights, Social Work, Psychology or related fields.

Experience:

• Experience in organizational strengthening, movement building, and networking.
• Strong understanding of inclusive development, Agenda 2030 and the SDGs, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the WHO QualityRights.
• Background in disability rights, mental health, and working with underrepresented groups, preferably persons with psychosocial disabilities.
• Minimum of two years' work experience in a related field.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, ideally across a number of countries. 

Skills/competencies/personal qualities:

• Proficiency in developing project proposals and successfully securing project funding.
• Strong organisational skills for effective coordination of meetings, workshops, and feedback mechanisms.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage and collaborate with diverse individuals and organizations.

Languages:

• English (professional proficiency, spoken and written, is essential)
• French (desirable but not mandatory).

Salary Range

• The salary offered will be competitive, dependent on skills and experience, as well as country of location.
• Salary and benefits will be competitive / Competitive. We offer a local contract.

Employee Benefits:

• We offer flexibility and working from home arrangements.
• As part of our commitment with inclusion, CBM Global aims to encourage applications from people with disabilities and those with health conditions.
• We have a comprehensive equality and diversity policy.