Liberia: Deputy Country Director - Liberia

Project Description:

IFES is seeking a Deputy Country Director for an anticipated elections-focused program in Liberia, contingent upon receipt of funding. The Deputy Country Director (DCD) will support the Country Director (CD) in implementing IFES’ programming. S/he will coordinate activities and manage the office. S/he will also oversee select program objectives, which will be determined in consultation with the Country Director and IFES Africa Regional Director. In addition, the DCD will be responsible for ensuring compliance with USAID rules and regulations and will manage the program in the absence of the CD.Job Responsibilities:

• Assist the Country Director in ensuring timely execution of program activities within the allocated budget, and strategic development and implementation.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of the program, guided by the CD.
• Manage specific project activities as directed by the CD and provide technical input as needed; for example, related to civil participation, civil society strengthening, etc.
• Serve as the IFES representative with government, the international community and donors on a variety of issues when the CD is not available.
• Supervise local staff and consultants, providing feedback on performance.
• Lead/oversee program management, administration, finances, budgeting, and reporting.
• Manage the project's monitoring and evaluation plan and oversee data collection and reporting.
• Ensure that donor-specified reporting requirements are met.
• Coordinate (bi)weekly submission of reports to IFES HQ and USAID, providing updates on program activities, progress, and challenges; outreach activities; relevant events in country; and activities planned for the coming period.
• Oversee sub-grant administration to ensure compliance with USAID regulations.
• Oversee any necessary procurement, including hiring of consultants, in accordance with IFES policies and USAID rules and regulations.
• Prepare papers, reports, briefings on programmatic work.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, donors and partners.
• Support CD in field office security procedures compliance and maintain contact with HQ security manager as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

POSITION SCOPE: Manage and perform highly technical work requiring ingenuity and capacity to evaluate and respond to new and changing issues. Support CD in the technical implementation of IFES programming for assigned projects. Oversee varied activities and processes to support effective project management and implementation. Collaborate with CD in monitoring all aspects of project operations, reporting and compliance.

DECISION MAKING/PROBLEM SOLVING: Support CD with identifying 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 strategies to track and mitigate risk and its potential impact.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: Oversee project budgeting, financial management and reporting. Oversee and approve local and international procurement in accordance with IFES policies and USAID, non-US rules and regulations. Authority to regularly make purchases and incur expenses, subject to established controls and procedures.Qualifications:**Education:** Master's degree in international politics, international development, public policy, or related field or Bachelor's degree with more than five years of experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in managing international development programs, including in relation to civic participation, civil society strengthening, policy advocacy, and/or governance.
• Minimum of four years of experience with USAID-funded activities in related program area.
• Significant, demonstrated track record of success in sub-grantee's management and monitoring.
• Experience integrating gender equality and women's empowerment issues within civic organizing and civil society strengthening initiatives is strongly preferred.

• Experience working in Africa will be favorably regarded.**Related Skills or Knowledge:**

• Experience with financial tracking, forecasting and Microsoft Excel-based spreadsheets.

• Demonstrated leadership, national staff management, project administration and financial management skills.

• Thorough knowledge of USAID financial regulations and contract compliance requirements.

• Detailed oriented and organized.

• Demonstrated ability to manage staff, prioritize and handle multiple tasks and consistently meet tight deadlines.

• Ability to develop and manage effective local relationships by applying cultural awareness.

• Strong communicator, both verbally and in writing.

• Collaborative, team-oriented individual.

• Proven capacity to work well with minimal supervision.

• Experience in managing relationships with the international donor community.
  LANGUAGE SKILLS: Fluency in written and spoken English

TRAVEL: Travel may be required up to 15% of the 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