CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation invites applications for the position of Chief Programmes Officer (CPO)—a senior leadership role guiding programmatic strategy and strengthening the organisation’s global impact in defending civic freedoms and mobilising people power.
As a dynamic and values-driven organisation, CIVICUS is dedicated to strengthening civil society and enabling people around the world to organise, engage, and advocate for a more just, inclusive, and democratic future. With over 15,000 members across 189 countries, CIVICUS is a leading voice in the protection of civic space, support for human rights defenders, and promotion of people-led change, particularly in the Global South.
About the Role
The Chief Programmes Officer will lead and align the organisation’s major programmatic pillars, ensuring that CIVICUS delivers on its strategic priorities with impact, agility, and innovation. The role is ideal for a seasoned leader with deep roots in civil society and a demonstrable track record in rights-based programming, advocacy, and organisational leadership.
The CPO will oversee multiple programmatic teams across CIVICUS, including those responsible for:
- Civic space research and monitoring
- Global and national advocacy efforts
- People-centred communications
- Member and network mobilisation
- Innovation and quality assurance mechanisms
The CPO will serve as a senior representative of CIVICUS at global forums, civil society platforms, and strategic advocacy spaces, advancing the alliance’s agenda and reinforcing its leadership in defending civic and democratic freedoms worldwide.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight to programmatic teams, ensuring alignment with CIVICUS’s mission and impact objectives.
- Harmonise cross-cutting workstreams, fostering collaboration across research, advocacy, outreach, and innovation functions.
- Represent CIVICUS externally in high-level policy, media, and multilateral settings.
- Strengthen CIVICUS’s presence and partnerships in key civil society and international networks.
- Promote inclusive and equitable leadership practices within the organisation.
- Support fundraising and donor engagement to sustain and grow programmatic work.
Candidate Profile
Minimum Qualifications and Experience:
- A Master’s degree in social sciences, law, international relations, or a related field. (Exceptional professional experience may substitute for this academic requirement.)
- A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in civil society or human rights organisations, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership or management position.
- Demonstrated ability to manage diverse, multi-disciplinary teams and projects at scale.
Required Skills and Attributes:
- Proven excellence in public speaking, strategic writing, and external representation.
- Strong negotiation, influencing, and relationship-building capabilities.
- Deep commitment to human rights, social justice, and people-powered change.
- Advanced project management, strategic thinking, and organisational development skills.
- Familiarity with international advocacy, geopolitical trends, and the role of civil society in global governance.
- Experience working with remote and globally distributed teams.
- Multicultural sensitivity and the ability to lead inclusively across geographic and social contexts.
- Fluency in English is required; additional UN languages are highly desirable.
Why Join CIVICUS?
This is a rare opportunity to join a globally respected civil society alliance at a time of strategic expansion and transformation. The CPO will help shape the next phase of CIVICUS’s evolution, contributing to bold new efforts to reclaim civic space and foster inclusive participation in democratic life.
Working at CIVICUS means being part of an international, multilingual, and collaborative team that values learning, transparency, intersectionality, and solidarity. The organisation embraces flexible and remote work models and is committed to supporting leadership from historically excluded communities.
Application Process
Interested candidates must submit the following via the CIVICUS careers portal
- A comprehensive CV detailing educational background, career history, and key accomplishments.
- A motivational cover note (maximum one page) explaining the applicant’s interest in and suitability for the role.
Deadline for applications: 16 July 2025, 11:59 PM SAST.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted within two weeks after the deadline for interviews. Due to the volume of applications received, CIVICUS is unable to respond individually to all applicants. All applicants will be informed once the position is filled.
CIVICUS reserves the right to modify or withdraw this vacancy at any stage.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
