The UK Government (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - FCDO) has a vision of a world free from Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) by 2030, in line with the SDGs. A programme has been established entitled ‘Support to the Africa-led movement (ALM) to end FGM/C’ to contribute to global efforts to achieve that vision. Following a co-creation period, programme implementation began in September 2021.

This programme will support and build the capacity of the ALM to end FGM/C at multiple levels and at scale, working in partnership with the rest of the FGM/C movement, complementing UN agencies (such as the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on FGM/C), Saleema initiative, other alliances (such as Girls not Brides etc.) and grassroots Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), women’s and girls’ movements, etc.

The programme includes two consortia working in close collaboration. Options leads a consortium including Amref Health Africa, ActionAid UK, Orchid Project, ACCAF and University of Portsmouth to implement the ‘Support to the ALM to End FGM/C’ programme. Population Council is implementing ‘The FGM/C Data Hub: Data and Measurement Support to the ALM to end FGM/C’.

Community-based activities within the programme are focused in Tambacounda and Kedougou regions in Senegal, with communications and advocacy activities taking place at region, national and international levels. One important output of the programme is the provision of small grants to build the capacity of grassroots women-led, girl-led, women’s rights and youth-led organisations and activists to end FGM/C, given these types of organisations are often unable to access large formal funding mechanisms.

Options has previously led a small grants programme for grassroots end FGM/C projects in multiple countries in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as managing other grants programmes and providing technical assistance, networking and learning opportunities and capacity building to grantees. A number of tools, processes and systems therefore already exist, and a strategy and grants manual has already been written for this programme for Kenya. An initial cohort of grantee partners has been identified, trained and awarded funds already in Kenya. We are now rolling out the grants mechanism to Senegal.

To capacity-build the grants advisory committees (GACs) from Tambacounda and Kedougou Regions in the following selected and recommended domain areas:

• Leadership and Governance
• Project development
• Project Monitoring and evaluation.

• Extensive knowledge of safeguarding in participatory grants making resource mobilization leadership and governance capacity building of community-based organisation leaders with demonstrated professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building including solid understanding of linkages between participatory grants making and community leaders' power dynamics.
• Leadership and skills to work with autonomy and initiative with strong adult facilitation and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated experience in Grant Monitoring
• Excellent interpersonal and professional communication skills and abilities.
• Strong teamwork spirit and interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavour.
• Good report writing skills.
• Ability to meet project deadlines with no supervision.

The Consultant should submit a technical proposal with a detailed work plan and timelines and financial proposal in British Pound and XOF for the assignment.

Application process

• To apply, please fill in the form.
• Closing date for applications is 01 December 2023.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview. Interviews will be held the week commencing 04 December 2023.
• Please note that this role will be subject to full pre-employment background checks including criminal record check, identification check, employment references and right to work verification (where appropriate).

Other information

• Options is dedicated to equal opportunity for all and recognises that every individual is unique. Whilst we always seek to embrace individual differences and celebrate the diversity of our workforce, we also want to ensure that every team member is suited to their role and that they are given the best opportunity to succeed.
• Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and post holders to share this commitment.
• We seek people who are pro-choice, promote diversity and inclusion, are energetic and enthusiastic about Options’ vision.
• Applicants must have the right to work in Senegal.