“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”
About the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES): Together we build democracies that deliver for all. Our independent expertise strengthens electoral institutions/systems and builds local capacity to deliver sustainable solutions. As the global leader in democracy promotion, we advance good governance and democratic rights by providing technical assistance; empowering the underrepresented to participate in the political process; and applying field-based research to improve the electoral cycle. We believe that trusted electoral institutions deliver credible elections, effective governing institutions are accountable to the people they serve, all people safely participate in civic and political life on an equal basis and technology, information and data positively serve elections and democracy. Since 1987, IFES has worked in over 145 countries – from developing to mature democracies.
IFES is currently recruiting for a short-term Country Director position for a USAID-funded activity in Jamaica. The program aims to support the Election Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) to implement and enforce new political party and campaign finance regulations during the 2020-2021 electoral process. In addition to working with the ECJ, IFES intends to partner with the Office of the Political Ombudsman (OPO) and one or more civil society organizations in Jamaica. This position would be based in-country and report to IFES’ Vice-President of Programs.
The Country Director serves as IFES’ primary in-country representative and coordinator of programming with local and international counterparts. The primary focus of the position is providing technical support to stakeholders and ensuring successful completion of project activities. The Country Director will provide vision and technical leadership for project activities. S/he will be responsible for maintaining proactive contacts with stakeholders and the international community. The Country Director will direct technical implementation of IFES programs within the assigned location and oversee management of the IFES field office.
Job Responsibilities: Job Responsibilities:
Technical Direction and Program Implementation
- Serve as IFES’ senior election technical advisor, providing technical support and advice to various government and non-government stakeholders.
- Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of program strategies and activities in assigned country.
- Lead and/or contribute to written technical reports, briefing papers, and IFES thought pieces, both program-specific and non-program specific. Prepare and manage the implementation of the project(s) annual work plan in fulfillment of the project’s strategic objectives and goals, and within the allocated budget.
- Establish and maintain close working relationships with local government and non-government stakeholders, including high-level officials in government ministries and election management bodies.
- Establish and maintain working relationships with international NGOs and the donor community to ensure successful implementation of the project activities and avoid duplication of efforts.
- Represent IFES in global, regional, national and sub-national events and in international meetings, at donor meetings and other fundraising activities, as speaker and/or spokesperson for IFES.
- Lead the drafting and timely submission of detailed, combined quarterly reports to HQ, and ensure that they meet USAID and IFES reporting requirements.
- Participate in weekly meetings with IFES HQ, providing updates on program activities, progress, and challenges; outreach activities; relevant events in-country; support required from IFES/HQ; and activities planned for the coming period.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Management
- Lead the identification, recruitment, and hiring of in-country office staff and/or local and international technical consultants, in coordination with IFES/HQ.
Provide general supervision and mentoring of field staff and/or local consultants, including performance appraisals, staff development and other management issues.
Establish strong working relationships with staff to facilitate the completion of program tasks in a timely manner and within the allocated budget.
Provide oversight and management of technical consultants, including review of all consultant reports and deliverables.
Ensure, in conjunction with the IFES HQ team, compliance with IFES and USAID rules and regulations, particularly with respect to fiscal management, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation.
Position Scope: Serves as primary in-country representative and directs the technical implementation of IFES programming for assigned project. Oversees the management of assigned field office. In conjunction with IFES HQ, ensures compliance with IFES, USAID and other donor rules and regulations. Recommends policies, controls and procedures to guide performance.
Decision Making/Problem Solving: Evaluates risk factors with potential to disrupt achievement of strategic goals and sets appropriate course of action in response. Investigates and analyzes current information from various sources and in various formats to inform decision making and the development of protocols and procedures. Leads development and oversees implementation of strategies to track and mitigate risk and its potential impact.
Fiscal Responsibility: Ensures the completion of program tasks in a timely manner and within the allocated budget. Ensures compliance with IFES, USAID or other donor rules and regulations, particularly with regard to fiscal management. Oversees preparation and presentation of financial reports to internal and external partners. Oversee and approve local and international procurement in accordance with IFES policies and USAID rules and regulations. Authority to regularly make purchases and incur expenses, subject to established controls and procedures.
Relationships: Serves as primary in-country representative of IFES with local and international actors. Develops, manages and maintains collaborative working relationship with senior level stakeholders within and outside IFES to ensure timely and successful achievement of project goals and objectives. Represents IFES in global, regional, national and sub-national events and in international meetings, and at donor events and fundraising activities, as a spokesperson for IFES
Supervision Exercised: Supervises and mentors local staff and provides oversight and management of consultants and field experts. Leads project planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Position Requirements:
Education: Bachelor's degree in international politics, international development, public policy, or related field
Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in election administration and international program management. Minimum of 5 years of experience with USAID-funded activities in related program area. Familiarity with political, economic and social context within assigned region. Proven track record with democracy and governance programming in developing countries; solid experience working with civil society and in designing and implementing civic programs; solid experience working with elections management bodies in election administration capacity development, training, drafting of elections procedures, logistics and planning, election technology, outreach and engagement of electoral stakeholders is required. 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 knowledge in proposal and report writing and management of budgets.
Related Skills or Knowledge: Prior experience managing an international office in a challenging environment. Ability and skills to promote and inspire effective collaboration between individuals, organizations and networks, demonstrating strong diplomacy skills and cultural sensitivity. Strong consultative, collaborative and participatory way of working. 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. Experience living and working overseas, preferably within the assigned region. Knowledge of local/regional politics and development preferred.
Language Skills: Fluency in written and spoken English required.
Travel: Travel required up to 25% 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
Duration: This is a short to medium term position with an expected duration of 6-8 months with a possibility of extension.
How to apply:
https://www.vs4.vscyberhosting.com/ifes/Careers.aspx?req=20%3a138&type=JOBDESCR