CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Job Title: Programme Officer – Good Governance Programme

Location: SECAM Secretariat, Accra, Ghana

Reports to: Director of Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JPDC), SECAM

Work Schedule: Full-time – 40 hours/week

Contract Type: Project based employment Contract

Duration of Contract: 2 years

Start date: 1^st August 2025

Deadline for Submission of Applications: 10^th July 2025

1. Background

The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) is the continental body of the Catholic Church in Africa. It coordinates pastoral, social, and governance-related efforts through two main commissions:

• The Commission for Evangelisation
• The Commission for Justice, Development and Peace (JPDC)

The Good Governance Programme, supported by SECAM and Partners, is implemented under the JPDC. It seeks to promote just leadership, transparency, civic responsibility, and ethical political engagement across the continent, in line with Catholic Social Teaching.

2. Purpose of the Role

The Programme Officer will be responsible for overall coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the Good Governance Programme. He will work under the supervision of the JPDC Director and collaborate with a wide array of Church and civil society actors. The role also involves strategic engagement with national and regional Episcopal Conferences, as well as liaison with key stakeholders, including donors and policy actors.

3. Key Responsibilities

       A- Programme Oversight & Coordination

• Ensure smooth planning, coordination, and execution of programme activities across Africa.
• Support the implementation of activities through regional and national Justice and Peace Commissions and Caritas structures focal points.
• Maintain close collaboration with the JPDC desks in National Conferences and entities where Caritas and JPDC are merged.
• Facilitate coordination among the Working Groups of SECAM-JPDC (Governance, Environment and Migration), as well as Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Offices engaged in public policy and legislative advocacy.

      B- Engagement with Regional Church Bodies

• Serve as a key contact for programme matters with regional episcopal conferences, including:
  • ACEAC (Central Africa)
  • ACERAC (Central Africa)
  • AHCE (Egypt)
  • AMECEA (Eastern Africa)
  • CEDOI (Indian Ocean)
  • CERNA (North Africa)
  • IMBISA (Southern Africa)
  • RECOWA-CERAO (West Africa)
• Align programme efforts with each region’s governance and justice priorities.

      C- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Track programme indicators and ensure results-based implementation.
• Prepare high-quality narrative and financial reports in accordance with Partners requirements and internal SECAM standards.
• Draft detailed mission reports after country visits or regional events.
• Support JPDC Director in integrating governance reporting into SECAM-wide reporting frameworks.

       D- Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

• Represent the JPDC at Church and civil society forums related to governance and development.
• Collaborate with CSOs working on democracy, human rights, and social justice, ensuring alignment with Catholic values.
• Work with the SECAM AU Liaison Office in Addis Ababa to ensure the programme supports Africa-wide Catholic advocacy at the African Union level.

      E- Support to Leadership

• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, presentations, and position documents for the JPDC Director and other SECAM officials.
• Assist in strategic communication with partners, donors, and ecclesial leadership bodies.

      F- Financial Coordination

• Monitor the use of budget lines and ensure alignment with approved financial plans.
• Liaise with the finance team to ensure compliance with donor financial policies.
• Identify financial risks and suggest corrective actions as necessary.

       G- Proposal Writing for Future Projects

• Lead the development of project proposals to secure funding for future governance and development initiatives, in alignment with SECAM’s strategic priorities.
• Identify new funding opportunities related to good governance, democracy, peace, and civil society empowerment.
• Coordinate the preparation of high-quality proposals for submission to international donors, including Misereor, other EU donors, and private foundations.
• Develop concept notes, project plans, and logical frameworks for future proposals, ensuring that the programme’s outcomes are measurable and aligned with donor priorities.
• Engage with national and regional actors, Church partners, and civil society organizations to identify potential areas for collaboration in new projects.

4. Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in development studies, Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, or a related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in project management, preferably with donor-funded governance or Church-based programmes.
• Experience working within Catholic Church structures, particularly with episcopal conferences, JPDC-type institutions, Caritas, etc.
• Proven competence in donor reporting, budget management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Verifiable Research capacity
• Bilingual in any 2 of the 3 SECAM languages, that is, French, English and Portuguese) – Minimum: comprehensive understanding of the 2nd Language.

5. Key Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of governance and civic engagement in the African context.
• Ability to engage diplomatically with bishops, Church leaders, and political actors.
• High-quality writing, analytical, and reporting skills.
• Strong organisational, coordination, and cross-cultural communication abilities.
• Good knowledge of the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church and the structures of the Church at all levels, and commitment to Church values.

6. Reporting and Work Relationships

• Directly reports to the Director of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JPDC).
• Collaborates with:
  • SECAM Finance and Admin Unit
  • SECAM AU Liaison Office
  • National and regional episcopal conference JPDC officers
  • SECAM-JPDC Working Groups
  • Catholic Parliamentary Liaison personnel
  • CSO partners and Church-based development actors, etc.

7. Application

To apply to this advert, kindly send your Application letter and C.V. to:

E-mail: secamsg@yahoo.com and secamjpdcdirector@gmail.com

SECAM Secretariat, No. 4 Senchi Street, Airport Residential Area, Accra, GHANA

Deadline for Submission of Applications: 10^th July 2025

Start date: 1^st August 2025

Download this advert here: Advert_Programme Officer SECAM