Moderator for High Level Annual Conference on Gender and Elections in Africa COGE
Organizational Context
UN Women's East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) focuses on advancing gender equality and women's leadership. The Leadership and Decision-Making portfolio works with various stakeholders to promote inclusive electoral and political reforms. This role supports the inaugural High-Level Annual Conference on Gender and Elections in Africa (COGE), a key platform for addressing women's underrepresentation in politics.
Job Purpose
This role serves as the Moderator/Facilitator for the inaugural High-Level Annual Conference on Gender and Elections in Africa (COGE) in Johannesburg. The purpose is to professionally host and guide all conference proceedings, ensuring a smooth flow, upholding protocol, and fostering an engaging atmosphere that amplifies women's leadership. The facilitator will set a dignified, inclusive, and solutions-focused tone, reflecting the conference's theme and objectives, and ensuring participants remain focused on advancing women's political participation and leadership within electoral processes across Africa.
Responsibilities
The Moderator/Facilitator is responsible for comprehensive conference management. Pre-conference duties include familiarizing with the agenda and speakers, developing session transitions, coordinating with speakers on logistics, and understanding protocol. During the conference, responsibilities involve welcoming delegates, announcing dignitaries, managing guest of honor segments, opening and closing sessions punctually, anchoring discussions to the conference theme and pillars (representation, electoral integrity, support systems), maintaining energy and engagement, managing programme changes diplomatically, and serving as the public face of the event. Post-conference, the role includes participating in a debrief and submitting a final script with feedback for future events.
Work Experience
A minimum of 2 years of progressive work experience in facilitating and moderating high-level, multi-stakeholder conferences with diverse groups is required. Experience with Member State workshops, policy dialogues, and conferences within AU, SADC, or UN contexts is an asset. Familiarity with gender, elections, governance, and the African political context is also beneficial. Proven experience with participatory methods and field experience in Africa are desirable.
Skills
Facilitation and moderation, programme management, public speaking, diplomacy, crisis management, stakeholder engagement, gender equality, women's empowerment, African political context, participatory methods, reporting and analytical skills.