About Self Help Africa:

Established in 1984, Self Help Africa is an international development organisation that works through agriculture and agri-enterprise development to address hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impacts of climate change. We believe that equitable economic development is key to lifting communities out of long-term poverty, empowering them to take control of their futures and improving their quality of life. 

In early 2023 we launched a new five-year organisation strategy, which defines shared mission as the alleviation of hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impact of climate change through community-led, market-based and enterprise- focused approaches, so that people can have access to nutritious food, clean water, decent employment and incomes, while sustaining natural resources.

Our wider organisation also includes social enterprise subsidiaries Partner Africa, which provides ethical auditing and consultancy services, and CUMO, Malawi’s largest micro-finance provider.

Our three core values are:

• Impact: We are accountable, ambitious and committed to systemic change.
• Innovation: We are agile, creative and enterprising in an ever-changing World.
• Community: We are inclusive, honest and have integrity in our relationships.

Job Purpose: 

The purpose of this job is to ensure a good implementation of SHA’s safeguarding policies across all programs in country and to provide technical support on Safeguarding, Gender, Nutrition and social Inclusion as well as ensuring effective mainstreaming of all related cross-cutting themes across the Burkina Faso Programme including development and emergency projects. The Advisor will further be responsible for communication and visibility activities and for leading in advocacy initiatives around Gender, nutrition and social inclusion issues, advising and building capacity of staff and beneficiaries, monitoring and reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

Programme Management:

This position will be that of a resource person responsible for ensuring the systematic integration of all aspects of safeguarding, gender, nutrition, inclusion and communication throughout the entire project management cycle, from the development of project concept notes to monitoring and evaluation, including program implementation in the field. More specifically:

• Provide technical advisory services on gender, promoting equality and ensuring that SHA’s strategic focus on safeguarding, gender and social inclusion is strongly woven into all projects;
• Co-ordinate the implementation of all safeguarding, gender and social inclusion interventions within the Burkina Faso programme;
• Ensure effective communication and oversee processes leading to documentation & publication of lessons, processes and results of gender and social inclusion interventions;
• Support the Head of Programmes in designing and planning programmes; ensuring that, Safeguarding, Gender and inclusion, Visibility and Communication are adequately addressed with effective strategies for implementing operations in line with Self Help Africa’s Burkina Faso Strategic Plan;
• Support the Head of Programmes in resource mobilisation and acquisition through new programme development and proposal writing to ensure effective mainstreaming of, Safeguarding, Gender issues across the programme;
• Develop and carry out ongoing review of Gender and inclusion policies/guidelines and strategies that provide strategic direction during planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation across the Burkina Faso Programme;
• Establish knowledge gaps and specific learning needs of staff and local partners around, Safequarding, Gender and inclusion across the programme and coordinate staff and partner capacity building for effective programme implementation;
• In conjunction with other Programme Co-ordinators, assess partner capacities and requirements for Technical Assistance and review them regularly;
• Coordinate the development and production of project training curricula in conjunction with SHA partners;
• Facilitate active networking and partnerships of the Burkina Faso Country Programme with Government Departments, donor agencies, NGOs and   private organizations implementing similar programmes activities for continued learning and sharing of experiences and best practices;
• Guide processes of identifying, Gender-based advocacy issues and facilitate policy advocacy engagements at local and international levels for the implementation of gender sensitive policies and laws;
• Nurture and strengthen strategic partnerships, networks and coalitions with civil society organizations and private sector to influence, Gender responsive policies and laws;
• Keep updated on technical aspects of Safeguarding Gender and inclusion related issues through regular reading, dialogue, and participation in meetings and trainings;
• Raise awareness among staff, partners, beneficiaries, and service providers or suppliers regarding the code of conduct and the child and adult safeguarding policy
• Identify and support individuals who wish to raise a protection concern and refer them to the appropriate reporting channels
• Receive information relating to protection and report any concerns, suspicions, or historical or current disclosures of abuse or exploitation immediately upon receipt via the protection reporting channel using the protection notification form.
• Ensure access to an up-to-date directory of services and a map of resources within the area of operation.
• Liaise with the Global Safeguarding Lead to obtain advice and support.
• This role description may change as safeguarding evolves within Self Help Africa.
• Facilitate and assist the timely submission of regular reports (monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual) or special reports as deemed necessary;
• Manage implementation of special projects from time to time as assigned by the Head of Programmes.

Safety and Security:

• Ensure all safety or security incidents (fires, vehicle accidents, theft, etc) are appropriately recorded and reported;
• Actively monitor field site safety and security and advise the HoP about new developments.
• Ensure regular communications are maintained among the field sites, and between the field and the country office.

Logistics/Procurement/Assets Management:

• Ensure efficient use and management of transport and other programme resources;
• Work with Head of Programmes and Human Resources and Administration Manager in procurement processes of projects inputs through outlined procurement procedures;
• Ensure that project implementation meets donor compliance requirements;

Representation:

• Promotion of the organisation’s positive image through collaboration and networking;
• Ensure that the programme collaborates and networks with other stakeholders such as Government ministries and departments, donor agencies, NGOs and private sector organisations;
• In coordination with the Head of Programmes, represent SHA at national  levels; to donors, local and national government authorities, other NGOs, and any other parties as required;
• Any other duties as assigned by the Head of Programmes from time to time.

Communication:

• Support project managers and partners in integrating communication strategies into the process of planning, implementing and monitoring project activities;
• Coordinate the design of the various digital and audio-visual communication media for the country office;
• Coordinate country office action visibility initiatives;
• Develop and distribute a quarterly newsletter on the activities of the country office;
• Contribute to the organization and facilitation of country office workshops and events;
• Coordinate the development of speeches during country office workshops and events;
• Ensure the involvement of local and national media to ensure media coverage of program activities;
• Coordinate the country office’s advocacy processes with external stakeholders;
• Ensure compliance with instructions and communication systems, visibility of the various technical and financial partners of the country office.

Key Relationships:

Internal

• Country Director
• Head of Programmes (Line Manager)
• Other SHA staff
• Programme Support Co-ordinator (HQ based)
• Programme Quality Advisors (HQ based)

External

• Partner organisations,
• Government Ministries/ departments,
• Other like-minded organizations and institutions

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 3 years working experience in Gender related programmes
• At least 2 years working experience in Safeguarding related programmes

Qualifications/Other Requirements:

• Minimum of Master’s degree in Social, Gender, Human rights, or related disciplines,
• Experience and knowledge in the design and implementation of Gender, programmes within food, livelihoods, and agri-enterprise setting for individuals or groups, especially smallholder farmers,
• Competence in operating computer software programmes and data analysis, research skills, writing and communication skills, excellent verbal, analytical, and organisational skills,
• A good understanding of project cycle management approaches and tools – including Participatory Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment and Planning, project appraisal, Gender analysis frameworks, monitoring and evaluation including experience with effective gender indicators, data collection considerations and partners’ capacity building,
• Good knowledge and understanding of key aspects of development work; including food, nutrition and livelihood security, cross-cutting themes (e.g. gender, environment, HIV and AIDS, social inclusion),
• Skills in training/facilitation of development processes, including organisation and mobilization of communities and networking among different development partners such as community-based organisations (CBOs), governments and partner staff.
• High level skills and experience in planning, budgeting and writing programmatic reports to donors,
• Ability and willingness to travel to the project sites, up to a maximum of 60% of work hours.

Role Competencies:

• A strong commitment to the aims, objectives and values of SHA Burkina Faso Country Programme;
• Commitment to international and humanitarian NGO codes, standards and practices;
• High level of integrity and high standards of personal conduct;
• Solid computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, power point and email.

How to Apply:

Full Job Description here.

Please complete the application form and upload your CV and Cover Letter outlining your suitability for the role here.

The Deadline for Receiving applications is Monday 8th June 2026

Self Help Africa is an Equal Opportunities Employer:

All candidates offered a job with Self Help Africa will be expected to sign Self Help Africa’s Safeguarding Policies and Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.  Specific roles may require Police/DBS/ vetting.

Important information:

Self Help Africa is an international development charity and is committed to the safeguarding of all those who we come into contact with or through our work. We are committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour relating to our work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and we are committed to promoting the welfare of children and the people we aim to assist with whom Self Help Africa engages. Self Help Africa expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the values and behaviours outlined in the Code of Conduct and Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. Recruitment to all roles in Self Help Africa will include, and be subject to, a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre-employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checking. Self Help Africa is committed to the principles of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will request information from previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment during employment. By submitting an application, the applicant confirms her/his understanding of these recruitment procedures. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Self Help Africa is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

Research shows that women and those from marginalised ethnic groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align with every criteria described, we encourage you to apply anyway, you could be exactly what we need!

Self Help Africa is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.