Overview
The Moderator/Facilitator will professionally host and guide all proceedings of COGE 2026, ensuring smooth flow, upholding protocol, and creating an engaging atmosphere that amplifies women’s leadership and keeps participants focused on conference objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Review full agenda, speaker bios, session objectives and protocol list.
- Attend at least two preparatory meetings.
- Develop session transitions and contingency announcements.
- Coordinate with moderators and speakers to confirm pronunciation of names, titles and time allocations.
- Understand VIP handling, order of precedence and cultural sensitivities.
- Welcome delegates, announce dignitaries, invite speakers, manage guest of honor segments and ensure correct protocol is observed.
- Open and close each plenary and high-level panel punctually.
- Consistently tie discussions back to the theme #TryWomen and the 3 pillars: representation, electoral integrity and support systems for women candidates.
- Maintain a professional yet warm tone, encourage participation, manage transitions and keep momentum.
- Communicate programme changes, acknowledge delays diplomatically and liaise with Secretariat.
- Serve as the public face of the conference and uphold organizers values.
- Participate in a post-event debrief.
- Submit final script with notes on what worked/what did not for future COGE editions.
Required Experience
At least 2 years progressively responsible work experience facilitating and/or moderating high-level multi-stakeholder conferences engaging culturally diverse groups is required; Experience facilitating Member States workshops, policy dialogues and conferences; AU, SADC or UN is an asset; Experience working on gender, elections, governance and African political context is an asset; Proven experience of using participatory methods for data collection and analysis; Field experience working in Africa is an asset.
Qualifications
Master’s degree or equivalent in International Development, Human Rights, Law, Gender and Governance or related is required; A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree; A project/programme management certification would be an added advantage.
