Program Manager, Middle East and North Africa

We are seeking a Program Manager to lead our work in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This position will play a pivotal role in supporting movements, activists, and communities in their pursuit of justice and accountability. Our ideal candidate will be someone passionate about human rights and deeply connected with the region’s activist networks.

They will have a strong conviction about the power of video to expose abuses, challenge impunity, and drive change. They will lead efforts to equip partners with the tools, strategies, and technological innovations needed to document violations effectively. They will hold expertise around the evolving landscape of video and technology that allows them to navigate the region’s shifting challenges, ensuring that those on the frontlines have the support, resources, and networks necessary to strengthen their work and amplify their impact.

This role reports to the Associate Director of Programs, Regions & Partnerships (Africa, Asia & MENA). It is also responsible for directly supervising the MENA team, which currently consists of two staff members.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy and Oversight

• Lead the development and implementation of the MENA annual work plan.
• Act as the day-to-day manager for the MENA team – which currently consists of two staff members – and consultants working on key projects, providing supervision and leadership.
• Plan and administer budgets, track program expenses and identify strategic ways to maximize limited resources for greater programmatic impact
• Monitor the current pulse, emerging trends, and shifting priorities on the landscape of human rights, video and new technology in the MENA region.
• Coordinate and promote collaboration between different projects (externally and internally), guiding the team on how/where to strategically leverage various strands of WITNESS’ expertise such as Video as Evidence, Archiving, Tech Advocacy and others to ensure maximum impact.

Resource development, Network building and Training

• Designs and coordinates sustainable training initiatives and convenings in the Middle East and North Africa and in other cross regional or thematic areas (in person and online). Acts as a senior trainer and trains and mentors new trainers (internally and externally)
• Coordinate and oversee the creation, development, distribution and localization of  resources, training materials for capacity building initiatives and other forms of engagement in the Middle East and North Africa (and cross regional)
• Identify and lead rapid response initiatives to provide timely, customized support to civic witnesses and video activists in the region
• Identify, develop and manage key partnerships and relationships with community based groups, non-governmental organizations, and other key stakeholders on a local and regional level. Coordinate additional support for partners by liaising with key stakeholders and other various parties (donors, security experts, policy makers and more)
• Represent WITNESS at local and regional meetings, conferences, forums and other public events, including meetings and functions with systems level stakeholders.

Fundraising

• Support the Development team in fundraising for relevant projects by providing input on proposals, budgets, and reports, as well as by participating in relevant donor meetings or suggesting new collaborations.