NOW HIRING: Africa Programme Officer Role – Strengthening Migration Rights Advocacy Across Africa | International Detention Coalition | Apply by 10 June 2026

The International Detention Coalition (IDC), a global network of more than 200 civil society organizations, has announced a remote Africa Programme Officer position aimed at strengthening advocacy on migration, human rights, and alternatives to immigration detention. The role is central to IDC’s mission of eliminating immigration detention and promoting rights-based systems across Africa.

Operating in over 75 countries, IDC works with governments, UN agencies, and civil society partners to advance policy reform and protect the rights of migrants and refugees. The Africa Programme Officer will support these efforts through program coordination, stakeholder engagement, communications, and regional advocacy support.

Supporting Regional Advocacy and Program Implementation

The Africa Programme Officer plays a key operational role in ensuring the smooth implementation of IDC’s regional programs. Working closely with the Africa Regional Manager, the officer contributes to both strategic advocacy and day-to-day coordination of activities across multiple countries.

This includes supporting project delivery, managing timelines, and assisting with the logistical and administrative components of regional initiatives. The role also involves working directly with IDC members to strengthen collaboration and ensure alignment with the organization’s broader mission.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting implementation of regional and national advocacy projects
• Coordinating events, workshops, and stakeholder meetings
• Maintaining project timelines, deliverables, and reporting systems
• Providing administrative and operational support to regional programs
• Assisting with financial tracking and documentation processes

This combination of coordination and execution ensures that IDC’s advocacy work remains consistent, organized, and responsive across different country contexts.

Driving Migration Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement in Africa

A central component of the role is advocacy support focused on immigration detention and migrant rights. The Programme Officer contributes to the development and implementation of strategies aimed at promoting alternatives to detention and strengthening human rights protections.

The position requires extensive stakeholder engagement across diverse sectors, including government institutions, UN agencies, and civil society organizations. The goal is to build partnerships and advance shared policy objectives.

Core advocacy responsibilities include:

• Supporting the design and implementation of advocacy strategies
• Drafting briefing notes, reports, and advocacy materials
• Engaging government and civil society stakeholders across Africa
• Supporting consultations, trainings, and regional dialogues
• Identifying policy gaps and advocacy opportunities

Through these activities, the officer helps ensure that IDC’s messaging remains consistent and influential across multiple platforms and audiences.

Communications, Knowledge Sharing, and Regional Visibility

The role also includes a strong communications component, with a focus on disseminating information and strengthening regional knowledge-sharing systems. The Africa Programme Officer helps ensure that advocacy messages and research outputs reach relevant stakeholders in accessible formats.

This includes both digital and traditional communication channels, as well as internal coordination systems that support learning and institutional memory.

Key communication responsibilities include:

• Developing social media content and digital advocacy materials
• Sharing resources with IDC members across the region
• Monitoring media and policy developments related to migration
• Supporting internal reporting and documentation processes
• Contributing to organizational knowledge management systems

This communications function helps amplify IDC’s regional impact while ensuring that advocacy efforts are informed by up-to-date information and field realities.

Ideal Candidate Profile and Required Skills

The Africa Programme Officer role is designed for an experienced professional with a strong background in human rights, migration, and project coordination. IDC emphasizes both technical capability and alignment with its mission-driven values.

The ideal candidate typically demonstrates:

• At least five years of experience in advocacy or human rights work
• Strong understanding of migration issues in African contexts
• Experience in project coordination and stakeholder engagement
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a remote environment
• Fluency in both English and French (mandatory requirement)
• Strong writing, communication, and organizational skills
• Experience with monitoring, evaluation, and reporting systems

Additional requirements include the ability to travel within the region and residence in Senegal or eligibility to work there.

Why This Role Matters for Migration Rights in Africa

The Africa Programme Officer position reflects a growing need for coordinated, rights-based approaches to migration governance. Across the continent, immigration detention and restrictive migration policies remain significant human rights concerns.

IDC’s work focuses on shifting these systems toward alternatives that prioritize dignity, protection, and community-based solutions. This role contributes directly to that mission by strengthening coordination between civil society actors, governments, and international organizations.

The position also highlights several broader trends in humanitarian and advocacy work:

• Increased reliance on regional coordination models
• Greater emphasis on alternatives to detention frameworks
• Expansion of multi-stakeholder advocacy networks
• Integration of communications into policy influence strategies
• Stronger focus on localized, member-driven programming

Conclusion: A Strategic Role in Regional Human Rights Advocacy

The Africa Programme Officer role at the International Detention Coalition offers a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact migration and human rights work across Africa. Combining program coordination, advocacy, and communications, the position supports both strategic and operational aspects of IDC’s regional mission.

For professionals with experience in human rights, migration policy, and stakeholder engagement, this role represents a chance to directly influence systems that affect vulnerable populations across the continent.

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