We are hiring! Iranti is looking for a dedicated feminist and experienced human rights activist, organiser and campaigner to join our team as Intersex Rights Officer.
The Intersex Rights Programme Officer is responsible for translating and implementing Iranti’s Programmes and Advocacy Strategy for a specific constituency (intersex persons) nationally/regionally and internationally to attain its mission.
ABOUT IRANTI
Iranti is a Johannesburg-based human rights organization, founded in 2012, that advocates for the rights and protections of Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, Trans and Intersex (LBQTI) persons. Iranti’s advocacy strategy employs the tactical use of multi-media, research and public awareness initiatives to build and advance human rights for LBQTI persons in the region. Iranti is managed and led by persons who live and identify as Lesbian, Trans, Non-Binary and Intersex, as well as allies aligned with our mission and vision.
ROLE OBJECTIVE:
Across the African region, intersex persons face discrimination on the grounds of their sex characteristics as well as their gender identity and expression, and find themselves outside of the state human rights care and systems support.
Because their bodies are perceived as different, intersex persons, including children face discrimination, stigma, misconception, pathologisation and violence, such as forced, coercive, irreversible and non-vital medical interventions. These include medically unnecessary surgeries, involuntary sterilization, hormonal treatments and other invasive or irreversible non-vital medical procedures which are often conducted without free, prior, full and informed consent, and can have life-long negative impacts on their physical and mental health.
Iranti is focused on remedying this through a rights-based framework that focuses on advocacy for legal and policy provisions and protections to be put in place to end these harmful practices.
The role requires working closely with intersex communities and organisations across the globe. The successful candidate will have to be able to navigate intersex community spaces, as well as have sound technical knowledge and background in sex characteristics and intersex advocacy work.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Role includes the following key responsibilities:
Implementing Iranti programmes (70%)
- Lead the development and execution of Iranti’s Intersex Rights programme with the support of the Programme Manager.
- In consultation with the Programmes Manager, develop deliverables and milestones for the Intersex Rights programme, based on knowledge, skills, research and organisational strategy.
- Advocate for recognition and inclusion of intersex persons in all spheres of our society.
- Advocate for legal and policy reform to prohibit and eliminate Intersex Genital Mutilation.
- Raise visibility and awareness within the wider community and the LGBTIQ movement on issues pertaining to sex characteristics, Intersex Genital Mutilation (IGM), gender identity and expression.
- Work towards the depathologisation of intersex persons, on all levels, in the continent.
- Empower intersex communities, organisations and people in all their diversities to advocate for their rights with a particular focus on national, regional and international human rights mechanisms.
- Support community organising, led by intersex people regionally.
- Work in close collaboration with the Trans Rights officer and Advocacy officer on advocacy and policy reform with regards to Legal Gender Recognition.
- Work collaboratively with the LBQ Rights officer, Trans Rights officer and Advocacy officer on intersecting issues that impact LBQTI persons.
- Raise visibility and awareness on intersex issues within queer and feminist movement(s)
- Research and stay up to date on emerging and current legislation affecting intersex people specifically, and the LGBTIQ community more broadly, and its potential impact on the work of Iranti.
- Work collaboratively with the Knowledge and Research Unit to support Iranti’s research to holistically cover intersex issues.
- Provide input to the development of the Iranti programmes and annual work plan based on the programmes area.
- Collaborate with the Programmes Manager to develop a project plan for the Intersex Rights programme, taking into account the resources and funding obligations.
- Implement and manage the project plan and develop and manage the known and unknown risk to ensure that milestones are met and all deliverables are completed.
- Develop high quality individual weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual work plans aligned to the Intersex Rights programme/project plan, clearly communicating any significant changes to project delivery or spending.
- Coordinate, and integrate programmatic work (inclusive of advocacy, research and media programmes) for the LGBTIQ Community.
- Manage and liaise with internal and external stakeholders (communities; CBO’s and NGO’s; funders and government) to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery.
- Represent Iranti in regional (and international) forums and networks such as the African Intersex Movement and the Southern African Intersex forum.
- Engage with the Communications and Media Unit to ensure the visibility of intersex people and their demands and respond to media requests and analyses.
- Coordinating the development and implementation of programmes in collaboration within and across teams and departments.
- Researching, identifying, and analysing good practices, strategic opportunities, emerging issues and trends that impact intersex people, their organisations, and communities.
- Mobilising and engaging relevant stakeholders, partners and/or coalitions to advance the programme objectives.
- Strengthening Iranti’s internal capacity and building the capacity of Iranti’s partners and stakeholders on intersex rights, including sex characteristics issues and how these intersect with broader LGBTIQ issues.
- Actively contribute to promoting and achieving the organisation’s objectives.
- Ensure that all activities are carried out with full regard to Iranti’s organisational policies.
Finance, Fundraising, Reporting and M&E: (30%)
- Develop and manage assigned budgets for the Intersex Rights programme in line with Iranti’s finance policies and procedures.
- Develop high quality narrative and financial reports on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis as required to donors and investing partners, clearly communicating any significant changes to project delivery or spending.
- Identifying opportunities, coordinating and developing proposals for additional funding resources to support the Intersex Rights programme.
- Participate in and support the development of proposals for additional funding resources to support the Iranti’s programmatic work.
- Provide support and data to the M&E officer improve to the quality of our delivery and impact.
- Report on the implementation of projects against milestones and deliverables.
Skills, Experience and behaviour requirements
- A commitment to Iranti’s mission and a clear understanding of the links between advocacy, research, and community building, campaigning and media work with a proven track record of delivering effective programmes.
- Demonstrated knowledge of issues impacting the human rights of intersex persons and experience in intersex rights advocacy.
- A graduate degree-level education in gender studies/social sciences/ human rights law OR equivalent work experience and knowledge.
- 3-5 years’ advocacy experience, ideally working within the human rights sector with a focus on gender, sex characteristics and sexual orientation.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple constituencies and audiences, in and with diverse communities.
- Experience and knowledge in working with regional and human rights mechanisms.
- Proven technical programme management, and stakeholder management and community building skills.
- Good understanding of the LGBTIQ sector and knowledge of the issues within the LGBTIQ sector.
- Good networks and relationships within the LGBTIQ movement in South Africa and regionally.
- Good research, writing and presentation and project management skills.
- Willing to be based in Johannesburg at the Iranti office.
- Preference will be given to candidates who identify as Intersex.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send a 2 page CV with contactable references and a cover letter to recruitment@Iranti.org.za and cc nomsa@iranti.org.za by the latest Monday 15 January 2024.
Compensation will be commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate and the Iranti salary range for the position.
Iranti reserves the right to withdraw the position at any time. Correspondence will only be conducted with shortlisted candidates. Should you not hear from us 15 days after the closing date, please consider your application as unsuccessful.