Co-Lead: Program Manager Operations DDP

Co-Lead: Program Manager Operations DDP

Region:     Global

Location:  The Hague, the Netherlands

Hours:        32 hours per week (88,89%)

Salary:      Medior to Senior management level. Depending on location, background and experience

Introduction

The Hivos Digital Defenders Partnership (DDP) program, was launched in 2012 by the Freedom Online Coalition (https://freedomonlinecoalition.com), an international program that contributes to strengthening the resilience of HRDs by increasing their digital security through a holistic and sustainable approach.

To this end, the DDP program provides emergency response and sustainable protection funding, strengthens rapid responders and local protection networks, increases trainers’ capacities, and contributes to long-term organizational safety. Over the past 10 years, DDP has expanded, growing into a team of 48 dedicated members spanning across continents in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

DDP promotes a co-leadership model for its senior leadership, emphasizing a shared approach to power, influence, accountability, and responsibility. We are guided by values of feminism, decolonization and power-sharing (see also our website for more information and our new strategy: www.digitaldefenders.org.).  In alignment with this shift, we are actively seeking an exceptional operational manager who will, together with the program manager, play a key role in the management, implementation, and sustainability of this exciting program.

This position is a co-leadership position with the Program Manager. Jointly you will play a pivotal role in implementing the program’s strategy for 2024-2027, guiding the team, and ensuring the safety and support of Human Rights Defenders around the world. Together, you will be integral in making a lasting impact that contributes to strengthening the resilience of HRDs by increasing their digital security through a holistic and sustainable approach. You will be instrumental in the execution of DDP's overarching strategy and vision from an operational perspective, while fostering seamless coordination with regional project managers and other teams within and beyond our program. Join us in the mission to defend digital freedom and protect activists in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Join us in the mission to defend digital freedom and protect activists in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Responsibilities Co-Lead Program Manager Operations.

Based on the principles of diversity, equality and inclusion, the DDP Program Manager Operations, ensures that operational systems, (human) resources and processes work together flawlessly. You take the lead in improving and maintaining DDP operational policies and procedures in such a way that operational processes run smoothly and are compliant to funders and Hivos, and contribute to the well-being and effectiveness of the DDP staff.

In particular you:

• Provide oversight and steering based on the principles of co-leadership, including shared power, influence, and decision-making.
• Are responsible for staffing, staff well-being, on/offboarding processes and DDP staff contract management. An important project is the development, implementation and monitoring of HR policies harmonized internally and with Hivos HR procedures.
• Build and maintain – as their line manager - a cohesive and successful operational team by mentoring, coaching, and fostering professional growth among team members.
• Co-create a safe working environment for all staff.
• Ensure compliance of DDP Donor regulations throughout the DDP operations policies, procedures and practices (finance, administrative and HR).
• Ensure timely, correct and complete recording and management of DDP’s administrative and financial data in accordance with Hivos and donor requirements.
• Oversee the financial health of DDP, ensuring responsible budget management, and adherence to donor requirements.
• Ensure transparent accountability mechanisms and standards are in place to support the impact of DDP's work.
• Work with the management and operation teams to identify potential risks and threats to team members, digital activists and develop strategies to mitigate these risks effectively.

The Program Manager Operations reports to the Hivos Global Hub Director.

Profile

You are a pro-active, energetic bridge-builder, familiar with holistic protection and human rights.  A team player who enjoys a good challenge. You can move swiftly when the situation so requires but also have the ability to look and plan ahead. You have a coaching management style but do not shy away from taking decisions, if the situation so requires. Your communication style is open, inclusive with respect and empathy for different positions and needs.

• Level of professional and analytical ability: A holder of a Bachelor or Master in Business Administration or other relevant degree.
• 5-7 years operational project management experience with a sound knowledge of financial management and procedures, HR management, resource planning, project delivery and reporting towards targets and donors
• A proven understanding and affinity with human rights, digital rights, development or related field.
• Prior experience in working in a decentralized project based (I)NGO environment.
• Experience in intercultural line- and team management, in such a way that values of diversity, equality and inclusion are respected.
• Proven ability to contribute to efficiency in a financially complex international project, such as multi-donor and multi-regional.
• A willingness to work in a diverse, queer-affirmative and feminist team, to assert your needs, respect those of your colleagues, and contribute to an empowering and joyful working environment.
• Proficiency in English in both written and verbal skills; good command of oral and written Spanish and/or French is a plus.

What we offer

In this position you will work at Hivos’ Global Office in the city center of The Hague. We offer a stimulating work environment in a professional international organization with very dedicated staff. We offer a local contract based on Hivos local labor conditions, with remuneration commensurate with the experience and expertise. Contract renewable depending on performance.

We provide a laptop and travel expenses according to our commuting policies, as well as participation in our pension fund. Hivos additionally works according to a 50/50 schedule, which means you may work from home during half of your contract hours.

Want to apply?

You are welcome to submit your application on the apply button by December 21st 2024 midnight UTC. You must submit both a letter of motivation/cover letter (maximum 1 page) and resume/CV (maximum 3 pages) in English.

Candidates are highly encouraged to provide a clear track record of results in their CV and to use their cover letter to clearly and concisely address the requirements of the role elaborated above.

Hivos is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diverse candidates - such as women and LGBTQIA+ people, persons with disabilities, and persons from negatively racialized groups - to apply.

* Kindly note that you have to be in possession of a valid work permit for the Netherlands.

Hivos reserves the right to close the position before the application deadline if a suitable candidate is identified. Therefore, interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

If you are selected for the final stage of the selection process, please note that professional references and a certificate of conduct (VOG) will be requested due to our Safeguarding Policy. Exceptions will only be made, if there is a local legislation prohibition or when the candidate is unable to obtain such a certificate due to activities on LGTBIQ+ and Human Rights. We may check social media – unless applicants state they do not wish us to do so. Accuracy of information in the curriculum vitae will also be checked. Hivos is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diverse candidates – such as women and LGBTQIA+ people, persons with disabilities, and persons from negatively racialized groups – to apply.

About Hivos

Hivos is an international development organization guided by humanist values. Together with citizens and their organizations, we aim to contribute towards just, inclusive and life sustaining societies where people have equal access to opportunities, rights and resources. We work in partnership with others in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America on three impact areas: Civic Rights in a Digital Age; Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Climate Justice.

Keywords

Program ManagerOperationsDigital DefendersHuman RightsManagementFinancial ManagementHR ManagementProject ManagementDiversityEqualityInclusionInternational