ABOUT WITNESS

WITNESS is a global organization that helps people everywhere harness the power of video and technology to tell their stories, document the truth, and defend human rights.

With growing threats to human rights and its defenders, along with the proliferation of manipulated media, how can we ensure that critical voices are heard, amplified, and protected? How do we establish the authenticity of video when the truth is constantly in question? In this volatile landscape, WITNESS deploys its global team of over 40 people, spread across five continents, to ensure that technology works for, not against, human rights.

WHAT WE DO

WITNESS combines grassroots engagement with smart tech advocacy to help human rights defenders around the world use video and audiovisual technology more effectively.

With cameras in everyone's pockets, anyone can document and expose injustice, making it harder for perpetrators of abuses to hide or for oppression to remain invisible. But using video for human rights carries risks, putting defenders or those they film in danger, having documentation misused in court, or being discredited by entrenched power narratives. Our global team works to understand how human rights defenders can best use video and audiovisual technology to advance their work, and helps them do so through training and guidance.

At the same time, rapid advances in audiovisual technology are making it harder to trust what we see and hear. Through research, expertise, and cross-regional networks, WITNESS anticipates and responds to these challenges. We help shape the design, development, and deployment of audiovisual technologies, policies, and practices, ensuring they strengthen, rather than undermine, audiovisual witnessing, with a particular focus on countering deceptive AI.

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE

We are seeking a Program Coordinator | Africa to strengthen the planning, execution, and impact of regional programs at the intersection of human rights and audiovisual technology. The position supports the development and implementation of program workplans, ensures effective monitoring and evaluation of key activities, and helps surface strategic insights that guide future initiatives. The role enables the team to respond quickly to opportunities and challenges while maintaining responsible budget and operational management.

Reporting directly and collaborating with the Program Manager | Africa, the Program Coordinator plays a crucial part in capacity building and network development across the Sub Saharan Africa region. It supports the design and delivery of training, adapts learning resources for local audiences, and assists in building strong relationships with grassroots partners and NGOs. Regular collaboration with colleagues across teams and active participation in external forums ensure that regional initiatives are both impactful and well-integrated within broader organizational goals.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Day-to-Day Support

• Workplan. Support the development and implementation of the regional programmatic workplan, taking ownership of specific activities and ensuring timely execution in alignment with broader goals.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning. Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of program activities, contributing insights to inform strategic adjustments and future planning. Help prepare periodic reports on progress, including success stories and lessons learned.
• Future-Scanning. Stay informed about emerging trends and shifts at the intersection of human rights and audiovisual technology in the region, with particular attention to the impacts of audiovisual AI and related technologies.
• Budget. Assist in monitoring program budgets and identifying opportunities to optimize resource use.
• Operations. Complete day-to-day operational tasks, including expense reporting and processing contracts.
• Policies and Procedures. Understand and comply with WITNESS' internal policies and procedures, ensuring that direct reports are familiarized and consistently adhere to them.

Guidance, Training & Network-Building

• Trainings. Support the design and delivery of training in the region (and possibly beyond), both proactive and responsive, in-person and online. Provide logistical and coordination support for training materials and sessions.
• Guidance. Contribute to the creation, adaptation, and/or localization of learning resources. Help ensure materials are strategically distributed to reach key regional audiences.
• Partnerships. Assist in mapping and maintaining relationships with grassroots groups, NGOs, and other key partners. Support the documentation and tracking of all forms of engagement, including 1:1 support and microgrants.
• Surge Responses. Support the Regional Manager in monitoring regional developments where video can help defend or advance human rights. Help plan and implement fast, targeted responses, considering both urgency and available capacity.
• External Engagement. Represent WITNESS at relevant meetings, conferences, and public forums, as needed.

Cross-Team Collaboration

• Programmatic Teams. Collaborate with other regional and cross-functional teams (e.g. Archives, Video as Evidence, etc.) to exchange learnings and integrate expertise into regional initiatives, strengthening collective impact.
• Communications & Engagement. Liaise with the Communications & Engagement team, providing input and logistical support for content creation to amplify regional work.
• Other Core Teams. Work effectively with WITNESS’ core teams (e.g., Finance, People, IT) to ensure smooth operations and compliance with internal processes supporting regional activities.

From time to time, the role will require completing additional duties commensurate with the level of this position, as needed and requested by its manager.

Please note that this position description serves as a guide to the critical duties and essential functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities, qualifications, physical demands, or work environment conditions. Position descriptions are reviewed and updated as needed to align with the evolving needs of WITNESS, at the sole discretion of management.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• 3-5 years of on-the-ground experience and a project coordination role, preferably in an international, multicultural environment.

• In-depth knowledge and experience working with grassroots activists and groups within the Sub Saharan Africa region.
• A deep, intuitive, and practical understanding of video and technology trends, combined with experience in training, teaching, and development of guidance for groups leveraging video to advance justice and accountability.
• Background in and/or passion for human rights, with a solid understanding of networks, grassroots organizing, and how activists mobilize online and offline.
• Strong commitment to social justice and alignment with WITNESS' values and mission.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and priorities, with knowledge of project management tools and techniques considered a plus.
• Ability to work independently and proactively problem-solve while maintaining a high level of professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Proven ability to work with a diverse team with sensitivity, kindness, emotional maturity, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English; proficiency in additional regional languages is a plus. Native English is not required.
• Flexibility to accommodate early morning or late evening calls. While this is not standard, it may occur relatively frequently depending on location and team’s needs.
• Ability to travel at least 2-3 times a year, including international travel.

LOCATION

We are a globally distributed, remote workforce. The ideal candidate will be based anywhere within the Sub-Saharan Africa time zones of GMT+1 (e.g. Lagos), GMT+2 (e.g. Johannesburg), or GMT+3 (e.g. Nairobi), or within similar offset time zones. The successful candidate must have the legal right to work in the location where they will be based. Visa sponsorship or relocation assistance is rare and generally offered only for highly specialized roles.

COMPENSATION

WITNESS operates a salary localization policy using a combination of regularly reviewed foreign exchange rates and location adjustment multipliers. WITNESS does not negotiate salaries. Based on current rates, gross salaries for some of our current locations are given as an example:

• Nigeria: 44,300 USD
• Kenya: 39,700 USD

HOW TO APPLY

To complete your application please send your resume/CV and respond to the application questions.

Applications will be accepted through the end of day July 13, 2025.

WITNESS is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We encourage applications from individuals who are members of marginalized and/or underrepresented groups.

WITNESS is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all ages, races, ethnicities, national origins, religions, genders, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, as well as individuals protected by other statuses under federal, state, or local laws, including but not limited to disability, marital, domestic partnership, familial, caregiver, transgender, and military or veteran statuses.