About Free to be Me

Brave and persistent LGBTIQ+ activists around the world have built communities, taken to the streets, filed lawsuits and advocated for their rights, in the past decades. Thanks to their lobby and advocacy, “sexual orientation” is enshrined in protective laws in more than 80 countries. In many countries media and cultural productions are more diverse, while allies such as human rights and women’s organizations, progressive religious leaders, large and small businesses, social influencers and creatives increasingly – and publicly – support LGBTIQ+ rights.

However, there remains a lot to fight for. Consensual same-sex intimacy is criminalized in 69 countries, and access to appropriate IDs is impossible for many trans and intersex people. Legal provisions are used to harass and detain LGBTQ+ people, while legislation that explicitly protects them remains absent. Intersex people are subjected to medical and societal abuse. And, due to a lack of meaningful, coordinated efforts, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) are still excluded from many socioeconomic development agendas, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Free to be Me is an ambitious, daring and innovative program that will help build a vibrant LGBTIQ+ movement that is confident and capable to lobby and advocate for their human and economic rights.

In the pursuit of social justice and empowerment, Hivos is implementing Free to Be Me, a 5-year program in 12 countries located in Africa, The Middle East and South-east Asia with a budget of 36.9 million Euros.

Free to be Me is an ambitious, daring and innovative program that will help build a vibrant LGBTIQ+ movement that is confident and capable to lobby and advocate for their human and economic rights. Our alliance comprises three consortium members – Hivos, ILGA World, and Positive Vibes – and three technical partners – Sogicampaigns, the Global Interfaith Network (GIN), and Workplace Pride in strategic partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) as part of the Ministry’s policy framework “Power of Voices” (PoV). Together the alliance will coach, accompany, fund and train LGBTIQ+ persons and organizations to influence norms and attitudes, generate (public) support, and promote laws, policies and regulations that recognize, respect and protect LGBTIQ+ people’s rights.

The program aims to strengthen LGBTIQ+ civil society and improve socioeconomic conditions for LGBTIQ+ people by addressing systemic challenges including discrimination, unemployment, poverty, and legal barriers. Implementation follows a locally owned and led approach through the establishment of Communities of Action (CoAs) in each target country, which brings together local and national civil society stakeholders to implement country-specific strategies. These are supported by national host organizations that manage country-level activities and grant distribution, working alongside multiple implementing partners in each country.

The program’s Theory of Change (ToC) operates through four interconnected pathways:

–          Strengthening movement foundations

–          Building public support and influencing norms

–          Advancing legal and policy change

–          Promoting socio-economic empowerment

Additionally, the program works to influence Dutch society and policy regarding LGBTIQ+ rights and inclusion.

Specific Programs Intermediate outcomes:

Intermediate outcome 1: LGBTQ+ civil society is vibrant, stronger, more self-confident and diverse and in core countries, also sustainably resourced, with the capacity to lead on legal and policy changes.

Intermediate outcome 2: Societal leaders, influencers, media and the general public increasingly and openly support the rights of LGBTQ+ people

Intermediate outcome 3: At least 5 core countries have made significant legal or policy progress- changes in abusive or criminalizing laws and policies, leading to the reduction of violence against LGBTQ+ people.

Intermediate outcome 4: Concrete steps have been taken by economic empowerment actors such as the World Bank Group and selected companies to make economic empowerment programs more accessible to LGBTIQ+ people.

The ToC was adapted and contextualized in each country from the start of the program and is reviewed on an annual basis. The shared main objective indicates that:

“By 2025, a vibrant LGBTIQ+ civil society has successfully generated public support and influenced governments, businesses and societal actors to become advocates for LGBTIQ+ people’s human and socioeconomic rights; and the socioeconomic position of LGBTIQ+ has improved.”

Job context

Reporting to the PM, the DPM supports the PM, acts for the PM as needed, and carries out any other tasks assigned by the PM to ensure proper management of the F2BM program including the spin-off programs. The DPM will assist the Program Manager in program oversight, managing for results technical, administrative, operational, and logistical management of the project. In absence of the PM, the DPM will undertake some of the PM responsibilities. The DPM will have direct oversight of program implementation operations and M&E functions.

Responsibilities

1.     Program oversight and continuity support

• Under the leadership of the Global PM, oversee the implementation of F2BM annual plans and develop high quality reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitor programs activities to ensure timeliness, quality and accuracy in meeting contractual and grant commitments.
• Provide regular feedback to the Global PM through program bilaterals and progress updates.
• Assist in the preparation of periodic reports and deliverables, ensuring they are submitted in time and meet quality standards.

2.     Operational and administrative support:

• Supervise day-to-day operations, including administration, logistics & procurement aligning with program goals, Hivos and donor requirements.
• Support POs in the implementation of key activities across different countries and regions to ensure integration and efficiency in implementation including the close-out period.
• Collaborate with the Global Finance Manager to ensure consistent usage of program management standards and guidelines (e.g. Hivos Control Frameworks, project close-out guidelines)

3.     Strategic leadership support and coordination

• Support the GPM to coordinate and provide leadership for the successful implementation of all project activities including working with country POs, CSO and PAs.
• In the absence of the PM, the DPM will liaise with the Hub EA RD, MOFA, Alliance/ Consortium Members, local partners, and implementing Regional Directors as needed.
• In collaboration with the Global FM, investigate and identify new ways of achieving project efficiencies.

4.     Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)

• Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to ensure that monitoring and evaluation activities of programs are in line with donor and Hivos requirements.
• Ensure that M&E staff focus on assisting programs to generate practical information that can be used for ongoing program decision-making while also capturing results at the impact level.
• Provide DMEL-related support and guidance to the program and liaise with alliance partners, country partners and other F2BM team members in ensuring alignment to program indicators.

5.     Team support and capacity building

• Manage and supervise some program staff (adequately and timely provision of guidance & support) to Program Officers (POs) and other team members to ensure effective and efficient implementation of program activities.
• Identify and address any capacity gaps within the team that may impact program delivery.

Qualifications and experience:

Required:

1. A minimum of 5 years of experience in global program management, preferably in international development or human rights programs.
2. Grant Making experience and strong experience in Allsolutions
3. Familiarity with donor-funded projects, particularly those funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
4. Strong organizational and administrative skills, with experience in logistics, procurement, and financial management.
5. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
6. Proficiency in English (written and spoken).

Preferred:

1. Knowledge of or experience working on LGBTIQ+ rights, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), or Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) issues.
2. Experience working in one or more of the F2BM implementation countries (Africa, the Middle East, or Southeast Asia).

Key competencies:

• Leadership: Ability to provide guidance and support to team members in a transitional period.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to identify and address challenges in program implementation.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective coordination and reporting.
• Adaptability: Ability to quickly understand program priorities and deliver results within a short timeframe.

You are welcome to submit your application by March 14th, 2025, via the button below.

APPLY HERE

Hivos is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting a work environment where diversity and inclusion is valued, and people are treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnicity/race, national or social origin, disability, religion, political affiliation, age, family size, marital status, or any other form of personal identity. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.