About HRFN
Human Rights Funders Network (HRFN) is a network of funders in the Global South, East, and North dedicated to resourcing human rights actions around the world. As a primary convener in the sector, HRFN plays a vital role in bringing the funding community together to align strategies and build solidarity.
Background
HRFN's team is looking for someone who loves logistics and human rights in equal measure. This person will play a critical role as a Project Manager for HRFN events, including our Funding Futures Festival, as well as supporting HRFN's virtual and in-person gatherings across the full range of HRFN's programming.
The HRFN Festival is a four-day, in-person global convening of approximately 350 participants from over 40 countries, featuring plenaries, concurrent sessions, site visits, artistic and cultural programming, and off-site events across multiple venues.
This role is ideal for someone who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and relational, and who enjoys managing complex logistics, supporting collaborative teams, and bringing many moving pieces together seamlessly. The incumbent will serve as a key coordination hub, facilitating communication among HRFN staff, an on-site event planning agency, consultants, partners, and participants—ensuring a strong information flow, clear timelines, and thoughtful on-the-ground execution. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, adaptable, resourceful, and comfortable managing multiple priorities and global timelines in a fast-paced environment.
Ideal candidates should have familiarity with the regional human rights context in Africa and must be available to work with HRFN’s global staff and collaborate closely with on-site teams in Johannesburg, South Africa.
● Title: Events Project Manager
● Reports to: Head of Program Operations
● Duration: This is a full-time, time-bound position starting in July / August 2026 and ending on 30 June 2027. While there is the possibility of extension, that will depend on programmatic and budgetary considerations.
● Location: Though location and time zone are flexible, candidates must be able to comfortably work with staff based in South African Standard Time and participate in HRFN’s weekly staff meeting (typically between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Eastern Time, GMT +4). HRFN also works a four-day week, Monday to Thursday.
● Travel: 5-7%. The incumbent will be onsite in Johannesburg one week prior to the Festival and for the duration of the event. Travel to support other events as necessary.
● Contract Modality: The hiring modality will depend on the candidate's country of residency. Both direct contracts and consultant agreements are options.
● Benefits: US-based employees receive employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance and a 401(k) account with an employer contribution. Non-US employees receive statutory benefits in their respective home country.
● Compensation: The salary range for this position is $65,000-$80,000 per year, commensurate with experience.
● Apply: Please apply through this form. LinkedIn applications will not be accepted.
● Application Deadline: 22 June 2026, 11:59 ET
Scope of Work
The incumbent will manage the execution of the HRFN Festival and other events. Responsibilities include event coordination, logistical and administrative support, communications, and serving as a central point of coordination across teams.
● HRFN Festival
○ Lead end-to-end planning and execution for HRFN’s Festival.
○ Develop and manage detailed project timelines (in Asana).
○ Ensure HRFN staff, consultants, partners, and vendors meet agreed timelines. Help staff anticipate needs and stay on track.
○ Schedule and participate in regular planning team meetings with HRFN staff and external event planners; document decisions, action items, and next steps to ensure effective planning and execution.
○ Collaborate closely with local event planners on logistics such as hotel rooms, food, AV, child care, and transportation.
○ Lead conference registration logistics; manage the registration platform, produce weekly registration reports; manage registrant inquiries, waitlists, eligibility checks, and refunds as needed.
○ Collaborate with the communications team to ensure clear, timely, and coordinated communications with conference participants regarding registration, accommodations, visas, accessibility, childcare, and logistical information.
○ Serve as a primary point of contact for inquiries related to logistics, registration, and travel, ensuring accurate and responsive follow-up.
○ Manage hotel room blocks and reservations for selected participants, speakers, HRFN staff, and board members, maintaining accurate records and serving as a liaison between attendees, venues, and the event planning agency.
○ Manage the visa request process.
○ Support the integration of accessibility, care, and safety considerations into all logistical and operational planning.
○ Help track the costs to ensure the Festival stays within budget.
○ Create run-of-show and oversee all onsite logistics with the support of the local event management company.
○ Develop, finalize, and disseminate a comprehensive logistics note for participants, including travel guidance, safety and security information, and accessibility considerations.
○ Support creation and analysis of attendee evaluations.
○ Draft a post-conference report and create final registration reports.
○ Support with payments, invoices, and other administrative duties as needed.
● Other HRFN Events:
○ Manage end-to-end planning and execution, including venue sourcing, vendor management, invitation lists, catering, and A/V.
○ Lead internal meetings and processes in preparation for each event.
○ Develop and manage detailed project timelines and run-of-show documents.
○ On-site, day-of coordination to ensure seamless execution and strict adherence to the event timeline.
○ Assist with speaker preparation and staging, materials distribution, and final vendor check-ins.
○ Serve as the primary point of contact for venues, vendors, and external partners.
○ Support attendees with travel as needed.
○ Ensure that logistical planning and decisions support HRFN values and foster connection and collaboration.
○ Support creation and analysis of attendee evaluations.
○ Draft a post-conference report and create final registration reports.
Anticipated Event Calendar
● HRFN Festival (May 2027, 300-350 attendees): 4-day event happening in Johannesburg, South Africa. Also includes pre-meetings, a leadership retreat, evening activities, and post-meetings.
● Public Events (1 per year, 75-100 participants): 1-day events around a specific theme. Most likely in New York City or London.
● Invite-only program events (2–3 per year, 20–50 participants): Mostly 1-2-day events for smaller groups.
● Internal staff and steering events (1–2 per year, 5-15 people): Staff and steering committee retreats.
1-2 days, often before the Festival.
Qualifications
● Fluent in English; additional languages a plus.
● 3–7+ years of event planning experience, including large public events (150+ attendees), preferably in the non-profit or philanthropic sector.
● Demonstrated experience organizing global events from conception to execution, and working with diverse, cross-cultural groups.
● Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, and work occasional evenings or weekends around event periods.
● Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong follow-through and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
● Proven ability to manage shifting priorities, timelines, and schedules in fast-paced environments.
● Resourceful and proactive problem-solver, with experience identifying and implementing technical and/or procedural improvements.
● Experience in contracting, coordinating, and managing vendors.
● Strong ability to collaborate effectively and respectfully with partners, vendors, and service providers.
● Strong capacity to anticipate operational needs, manage up, escalate issues appropriately, and exercise sound judgment in fast-paced event environments.
● Strong computer and project management skills, including proficiency with G Suite, Asana, and Slack; comfortable learning new technologies as required.
Employment Logistics
Human Rights Funders Network (HRFN) is a fiscally sponsored project of Panorama Global, a 501(c)(3) social impact non-profit that empowers changemakers through radical collaboration. The HRFN employees will be employees of Panorama Global. Panorama is committed to creating a diverse team and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We know that representation matters in the workplace and with our partners; to that end we are committed to a hiring process grounded in equity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, caste, citizenship or immigration status, national origin, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, political ideology, the presence of any physical, mental, or sensory disability, age, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Panorama complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Panorama Global People & Culture team.
The final offer will be contingent on the completion of a successful background check.
