Kyrgyzstan: Chief of Party-Kyrgyzstan

Project Description:

Contingent upon funding, the Chief of Party (COP) will direct technical implementation of IFES’ “Deepening Linkages in Civic Participation Activity” program in Kyrgyzstan, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and oversee management of the IFES program field office. The COP, with solid experience in implementing civic participation programs, will provide vision and technical leadership for project activities. S/he will be responsible for maintaining pro-active contacts and coordination activities with USAID and the U.S. Embassy, national and local stakeholders, and the international community.Job Responsibilities:

Technical Direction and Program Implementation

• Serve as IFES’ senior civic organizing and civil society strengthening expert for the program, providing technical guidance and advice to international and local partners, and stakeholders.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of program strategies and activities.
• Prepare and lead the implementation of the project’s work plans in fulfillment of the project’s strategic objectives and goals, and within the allocated budget.
• Establish and maintain close working relationships with national, regional, district, and local government officials, private sector, non-government organizations (NGOs), and beneficiaries.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with international partners and the donor community to ensure successful implementation of the project and avoid duplication of efforts.
• Coordinate closely with international and local partners/subawardees, consultants and field experts on program components.
• Serve as a main liaison and point of contact for national, district and local officials including legislative branch as well as private sector and other beneficiaries of the program.
• Ensure quality input, recommendations and facilitation of legal drafting, policy making and public consultation processes during project implementation.
• Lead and/or contribute to reports, briefing papers, and thought pieces, related to civil society strengthening, policy advocacy, civic space, civic and political rights, social mobilization, and/or governance.
• Lead and/or contribute to reports, briefing papers, and thought pieces, related to civil society strengthening, policy advocacy, civic space, civic and political rights, social mobilization, and/or governance.
• Represent the IFES program in national and sub-national events and in international meetings, at donor meetings and other activities.
• Ensure the highest quality of program monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and communications.
• Closely follow political and societal developments in Kyrgyzstan, ensuring program is responsive to local needs and context.
• Perform other duties as required.

Management

• Maintain close contact with the IFES Kyrgyzstan country director to ensure consistency of programming.
• Ensure, in conjunction with IFES HQ team, compliance with IFES and USAID rules and regulations, particularly with respect to fiscal management.
• Establish strong working relationships with the all program staff to facilitate the completion of program tasks in a timely manner and within the allocated budget.
• With assistance from the Deputy Chief of Party (“DCOP”), provide general supervision and mentoring of local and international field staff, including performance appraisals, staff development and other management issues.
• Provide oversight and management of technical consultants.
• Review written reports, concepts, white papers, and other program deliverables.
• Maintain close contact with the IFES Kyrgyzstan country director to ensure consistency of programming.
• Assist in program development for IFES in Kyrgyzstan.**DECISION MAKING/PROBLEM SOLVING:** Identify internal and external risk factors with potential to disrupt achievement of program/project goals. Analyze issues, problems or opportunities and propose appropriate courses of action, based on knowledge of professional principles and best practices. Participate in the development and implementation of learning questions and strategies to track and adapt the program in response to positive and negative program developments. Qualifications:

Education: Master’s degree in international politics, international development, public policy, or related field.

Experience: Minimum of 10 years’ experience in managing international development programs, including in relation to civil society strengthening, policy advocacy, and/or local governance. Minimum of five years of experience with USAID-funded activities in related program area. Experience working on civil society activities in Central Asia or the former Soviet Union is strongly preferred. Familiarity with political, economic and social context in Central Asia. Proven track record with democracy and governance programming in developing countries. Experience integrating gender equality and women’s empowerment issues within civic organizing and civil society strengthening initiatives is strongly preferred. Familiarity with the international donor community and experience as an action-oriented interlocutor with democracy-development actors at all levels. Demonstrated knowledge of USAID regulations and the implementation of USAID-funded project activities. Demonstrated ability to research and analyze state policies and legislation and make recommendations for improvement to relevant stakeholders.

Related Skills or Knowledge:

Prior experience managing an international office in a politically sensitive and challenging environment. Strong leadership, management, administrative, problem-solving, presentation, reporting and communication skills. Ability and skills to promote and inspire effective collaboration between individuals, organizations and networks, demonstrating strong diplomacy skills and cultural sensitivity, including with national, provincial, district, and local government officials, private sector, NGOs, and beneficiaries. Demonstrated ability to research and analyze state policies and legislation and make recommendations for improvement to relevant stakeholders. Strong interpersonal, presentation, and communications skills to meet the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the program and to effectively coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders and donors, including on media, and seek synergies and complementarities to maximize results. Knowledge of local/regional politics and development preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Fluency in written and spoken English and Russian or Kyrgyz.

TRAVEL: Travel required up to 30% of time.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Standard office work environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

“All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment/promotions and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

IFES takes affirmative action with respect to the employment and promotion of women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. IFES will also take affirmative action on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

IFES is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor”

careers@ifes.org