East Africa Coordinator

The Bank Information Center (BIC) is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Washington, DC that advocates for transparency, accountability, sustainability, and inclusion in development finance. We partner with civil society in developing and transition countries to monitor and influence the policies and operations of the World Bank Group and other Multilateral Development Banks (MDB). In partnership with international, regional, and local civil society organizations (CSOs), BIC conducts research and advocacy aimed at reforming and improving MDB policy and practices. BIC is not a part of any MDB and does not receive funding from any MDB or government. 

We are looking for a East Africa Regional Coordinator to help BIC to build a network of partners in East Africa interested in engaging MDBs and monitoring MDB projects, especially around child protection issues in support of BIC’s Child Rights Campaign. BIC's Child Rights Campaign advocates for strengthening IFI policies and programs to better identify and address harm to children in the development process. Specifically, the child rights campaign focuses on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse of children around MDB funded projects. The Coordinator will be BIC’s only staff in the region and must be a dynamic self-starter who is passionate about working on behalf of communities impacted by MDB projects. This position will report to the Child Rights Campaign Manager based in Washington, D.C. He/she will work closely with BIC’s DC based staff  as well as BIC’s West Africa Coordinator, based in Côte d'Ivoire. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Establish connections with local, national and regional CSOs
• Participate in relevant regional meetings and conferences
• Support local CSOs in monitoring projects financed by the World Bank and African Development Bank
• Work with local CSOs and BIC’s broader to team to engage MDBs around the projects they fund
• Support BIC’s staff in carrying out advocacy aimed at MDBs and their shareholders to drive improved protections for children through accountability around MDB funded projects
• Approximately 75% of time will be dedicated to supporting BIC’s child rights program while 25% time will be spent coordinating BIC’s broader environment and social inclusion work in the region

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong advocacy skills
• Ability to work closely and sensitively with local communities impacted by MDB projects
• Experience with, or interest in, issues related to child rights, gender, civil society engagement, and social inclusion
• Strong communication skills
• Fluent written and speaking skills in English
• Minimum 3-4 years of advocacy experience with a CSO or NGO
• University Degree in law, political science, international development or related field
• Willingness to travel extensively including potentially to remote project sites once it is possible to do so, given COVID-19 considerations
• Ability to spend 3-4 weeks in Washington, DC in 2021 for training, depending on travel ability related to COVID-19 considerations
• Applicant should be based in East Africa, preferably Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, or Rwanda