Project Officer – Advocacy Lab

Helem, is the first LGBTQIA+ rights organization in the Arab world, officially established in Beirut, Lebanon in 2001. Its mission is to lead the struggle for the liberation of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Intersex, Transgendered, Queer (LGBTQIA+) and other people with non-conforming sexualities and/or gender identities in Lebanon and the SWANA region from all sorts of violations of their individual and collective civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Our goal is to empower young LGBTQIA+ leaders to advocate for their own liberation. We seek to create initiatives and spaces where our communities can leverage unity through diversity and build power. We protect and support individuals with the resources to resist the harm caused by homophobia and transphobia. We empower our youth through education and community building, and we mobilize to change the laws, policies, and practices that deny us equality and reduce our quality of life.

Helem is looking for an Advocacy Lab Project officer to work on a regional program designed to build the knowledge and skills of activists, provide seed funding for regional campaigning and ensure successful implementation of localized campaigns. This pilot program is challenging and unique with a demanding schedule, diverse objectives and significant regional travel. Candidates with experience in managing teams, large events, or educational institutes and an interest in working on human rights, gender equality, community mobilization, and activism are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Description:

• Implement and co-manage all relevant aspects of the project including partner identification and engagement, recruitment, strategy, and planning activities;
• Manage and implement program timelines deadline, budget, spending, procurement, and compliance requirements in collaboration with other Helem support staff;
• Implement and support a program advertising and dissemination plan to attract optimal candidates to take part in an intensive summer advocacy institute;
• Manage all daily partner and participant communication and coordination, answer all queries and trouble-shoot challenges;
• Coordinate and ensure the arrangement of all travel, accommodation, transportation and logistics for the program, both locally and regionally, in collaboration with relevant staff and external partners/vendors;
• Ensure the smooth execution of the summer advocacy institute including managing agendas, events, and unforeseen developments;
• Co-manage the micro-grant project after every institute and ensure the implementation of project objectives, deliverables, timelines, and budgets;
• Coordinate all partner-participant communication and engagement both before and after the summer institute;
• Ensure procurement, compliance and financial deliverables and obligations related to the project with relevant staff members;
• Facilitate collaboration with heads of departments, other team members, and as required across other Helem teams;
• Implement and ensure a proper filing system for all project documents (electronically and physically);
• Participate in strategy meetings and provide expertise and support for all related activities.
• Maintain the strictest and highest forms of professionalism and confidentiality with regards to any and all information received and processed from Helem’s beneficiaries, staff members, and other partners;
• Accomplish and assist in any other task not here listed if required by the organization or deemed necessary.

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Rights Advocacy/Law, Gender Studies, Public Policy or related field strongly preferred;
• 3-5 years’ work experience in project management; educational programs; event planning or related field;
• Excellent communication skills in both English and Arabic;
• Strong multi-tasking skills and the ability to manage multiple micro-projects;
• Masterful time management, ability to plan workloads and demonstrate accountability for outputs;

• Ability to travel regionally, regional work experience preferred.