The Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that wages justice by providing legal aid to victims of human rights abuses around the world.

We are seeking an experienced Program Director to guide the Waging Justice for Women initiative (WJW), which provides free legal aid to women and girls to defend their rights, including their right to be free from child marriage, violence and discrimination. The role will focus on operating and developing this initiative, including running WJW’s Fellowship Program, overseeing legal clinics in collaboration with partner organizations and contributing to litigation initiatives including through legal representation and advocacy. The Program Director will lead the management of impactful legal services programs, partnerships, and policy efforts on the ground to improve systemic outcomes for women and children.

This is a full-time position that will report to the Co-CEO, Programs.

Candidates should be based and have the right to work in an African country, with a preference for South Africa, Malawi or Kenya.

About Waging Justice for Women

Waging Justice for Women provides free legal aid to women and girls to defend their rights, including their right to be free from child marriage, violence and discrimination. With our partners across Africa, we provide free legal support to women and children, challenge unjust laws through the courts and support the next generation of justice champions through an annual fellowship for young women lawyers. In its first two years, the program has provided over 9,000 women and girls in Africa with advice on their legal rights and represented women for free in hundreds of cases in court.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop program workplans and budgets aligned with organizational priorities and co-founders' vision.
• Manage WJW fellowship program and legal clinic budgets, grants, and resources.
• Assist with funding proposals, report to donors, and contribute to fundraising efforts to sustain and develop the program.
• Supervise and mentor program staff, fostering a collaborative and supportive team culture.
• Support other CFJ staff in identifying opportunities to incorporate technology and AI to advance access to justice initiatives implemented by WJW in partnership with the Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice.
• Develop and implement MEL systems to track the program’s outputs.

Required Skills & Experience

• Law degree
• 10+ years of relevant experience of increasing responsibility, for example in government, law firms, NGOs or international organizations
• Demonstrated expertise in women’s rights and/or broader human rights advocacy, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa
• A proven track record of providing legal representation and advocacy
• Proven leadership in managing teams and mentoring lawyers
• Commitment to advancing women’s rights and expanding access to justice for underserved communities
• Ability to thrive in an international, multicultural, remote working environment
• Exceptional communication skills (written and oral)

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Fluency in a language other than English
• License to practice law in an African jurisdiction
• Fundraising experience, including donor cultivation and grant reporting

Salary & Benefits

The salary for this role will be adjusted according to the candidate’s location and converted to be paid in local currency. For example:

·       The salary for Kenya or Malawi will be in a range equivalent to $70,000 - $75,000 USD.

·       The salary for South Africa will be in a range equivalent to $85,000 - $95,000 USD.

CFJ provides a laptop to employees, reimbursement for eligible office supply expenses, reimbursement of eligible phone and internet expenses, and an annual professional development budget. CFJ also offers generous employer contributions to health and dental insurance coverage and an annual Paid Time Off policy that includes 25 vacation days, 4 personal days, and statutory holidays.

CFJ is committed to diversity in its workforce and is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religious beliefs, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This advert will be closed once the role is filled.