IFES Vacancy : Chief of Party

CHIEF OF PARTY – ANGLOPHONE AFRICA

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
IFES is an international, nonprofit organization that supports the building of democratic societies. IFES provides targeted technical assistance to strengthen transitional democracies. Founded in 1987 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, IFES has developed and implemented comprehensive, collaborative democracy solutions in more than 120 countries.

IFES is currently soliciting applications for a Chief of Party position for a new program in West Africa. The program is expected to have a large electoral administration component and may also include other democracy and governance programming areas. IFES seeks individuals with practical election administration experience and diplomatic skills, who will be able to work closely with high ranking local officials. The IFES program may also involve working with local civil society organizations on issues of inclusion of women, youth and people with disabilities in the electoral process; monitoring and mitigating electoral violence; and monitoring of other electoral processes.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Chief of Party will manage the IFES program and office in the host country. Primary responsibilities will include program management and implementation, as well as management of the IFES field office. The Chief of Party represents IFES as the organization’s primary representative in the host country and will be responsible for coordinating programming with subgrantees, local and international actors and maintaining proactive contacts with local leaders, USAID, and the international donor community.

Specific responsibilities of the position will include:
• Maintain project office; supervise office operations and supervise local and expatriate staff based in that country.
• Provide general oversight of the program, including responsibility for program management, strategic vision, fiscal integrity, quality and timing of deliverables;
• Establish and maintain working relationships with the host country authorities, international organizations on the ground and funders to ensure successful implementation of the project and avoid duplication of efforts;
• In coordination with IFES/HQ, assist in the identification, recruitment, and hiring of local and international technical consultants;
• Provide oversight and management of technical consultants;
• Supervise the drafting and timely submission of reports to IFES-DC, donors and other stakeholders;
• Develop and strengthen program strategies and workplans;
• Assist in program development for IFES in the host country by identifying additional programmatic needs;
• Perform other duties as necessary to the overall success of IFES programming in the host country.

QUALIFICATIONS:
The COP must be engaged – a dynamic leader, flexible, adaptable and a team player who demonstrates leadership under challenging conditions. In addition, the COP is required to have the following expertise:

• Ten years of experience in democratic development. Experience in Africa strongly preferred.
• Experience in implementing election-focused projects.
• Graduate degree in public policy/administration, political science or law would be advantageous.
• Experience in institutional development of EMB’s is preferable.
• Demonstrated program and financial management experience.
• Experience as a dynamic and engaged action-oriented interlocutor with democracy-development actors at all levels—grassroots to the highest national and international levels.
• Personnel and office management experience-including management, training and development of local staff.
• Experience in proposal writing and budgeting, and liaising with donors.
• Experience in living and working overseas, preferably in Africa
• Strong oral and written communication skills and skills in PC-based word processing, spreadsheets and e-mail technology.

TO APPLY
You must go to http:www.ifes.org/ to the Careers section and apply online. Applications are only accepted in this way. Make sure you upload all papers together (ie. cover letter and application, etc.).  Resumes are only reviewed and accepted if submitted through our careers page.

DUE DATE: 11 January 2014

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