Closing date: 01 Jun 2012
The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks a Resident Director with excellent management skills and extensive experience in providing electoral assistance, particularly citizen monitoring, to oversee the implementation of its democracy and governance program in Zimbabwe.
The Resident Director will oversee and direct the day-to-day implementation and management of NDI’s program in Zimbabwe. The Resident Director will also oversee all aspects of programmatic, staff, and office management, including implementation of program activities, managing grants, providing leadership to a team of Zimbabwean staff, and ensuring compliance with NDI and USAID procurement and financial policies and procedures.
The ideal candidate should have at least 14 years of experience working in the field of democracy and governance, particularly in challenging political environments. The position is based in Harare, Zimbabwe and would require travel within the country. The Resident Director would serve as principal NDI liaison with political and civic leaders, program partners, donors, and representatives of the international community. A high degree of professional judgment, political analysis and objectivity, creativity and maturity are essential to the successful leadership of NDI in Zimbabwe. This position works closely with Washington-based management who provide overall strategic guidance and support for field activities. The Resident Director reports to the DC-based Regional and Deputy Directors for Southern and East Africa.
In August 2010, at the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government, regional leaders resolved to an Election Roadmap for Zimbabwe elections. This roadmap, agreed to by the inclusive government in July 2011outlines critical steps to hold genuinely free and fair elections under conditions. These steps include, but are not limited to: a referendum on a new, constitution; media freedom and access by all political parties to state media; electoral reforms to enable an updated and accurate voters’ roll; and recruitment of nonpartisan Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) staff. To date, however, negotiations between the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the two formations of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-Tsvangirai), led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and MDC, led by Welshman Ncube – on implementing the Election Roadmap have been slow and unpredictable. Despite uncertainties in the electoral calendar and the increasingly polarized political environment, civil society organizations remain focused on preparing for transparent and credible elections under a new constitutional order.
NDI has conducted programs in Zimbabwe since 1998, beginning with support for electoral reform and dialogue between government and opposition political parties. Since 2002, NDI has provided assistance to civic groups monitoring elections and advocating for political and electoral reform, to advance the rule of law and protection of human rights. Currently, the Institute is supporting civil society efforts to contribute to informed citizen participation in, and observation of the constitutional referendum process and subsequent elections. NDI is providing technical and financial assistance to partner organizations to monitor the constitutional referendum and national elections using statistically based observation techniques and to research citizen perceptions regarding the electoral process.
Responsibilities
Program Management
Provide day-to-day management of program activities and office administration, and oversight and evaluation of Zimbabwean program staff;
Serve as a resource for civil society leaders in response to their specific questions and requests for assistance;
Monitor programs to determine that programmatic goals are achieved and that operational and reporting requirements are adhered to;
Adjust programmatic activities based on changing political circumstances and in response to needs articulated by local partners and program stakeholders;
Work in tandem with the Finance and Administrative Manager to oversee the NDI Zimbabwe budget, financial management and the submission of monthly program activity budgets and financial reconciliations to the Washington, DC, office. Make programmatic adjustments as necessary throughout the implementation cycle to avoid budget overruns; and
Ensure program compliance with donor requirements with regards to work plans and performance monitoring plans, and respect of procedures to ensure the integrity of all financial transactions.
External Relations
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with Zimbabwean political leaders, partners, government officials and members of the international, diplomatic, and donor community;
Serve as principal liaison between NDI and international donor representatives in country, Zimbabwean officials, international and local NGOs, the media, and the U.S. government representatives;
Serve as NDI’s representative at speaking engagements and at donor-related activities; and
Develop fundraising strategies with donors to help raise additional funds in coordination with the NDI Washington staff.
Internal Communication and Staff Development
Oversee the writing and timely submission of bi-weekly program activity reports, quarterly reports, monitoring and evaluation data, periodic updates on political/security developments, and other program related materials; and
Collaborate with and build the capacity of NDI Zimbabwean staff to play a substantive role in program development and implementation.
Experience Required
Bachelor’s Degree, in International Relations or related subject. Masters Degree preferred;
Minimum fourteen (14) years management experience overseeing international development programs, preferably in the field of democracy and governance, and at least five in a senior leadership role;
Substantial work experience in multiple disciplines of democracy development, including elections knowledge (required), and civic education, civic engagement and/or civil society development (desired), preferably in Africa;
Substantial experience overseeing and implementing programs, managing staff, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations, including experience in overseeing sub-grants to local partners;
Substantial experience in office operations, financial and human resources management;
Experience with managing USAID funding projects;
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with and build relationships with senior political and civic leaders, U.S. and foreign government personnel and policy makers, and members of donor organizations;
Substantial program design and management, proposal writing and financial management experience, including experience in initiating and managing sub-grants;
Ability to motivate and inspire a diverse group of professionals in a challenging environment, instilling a strong sense of mission and team work to program implementation;
Ability to communicate skills and experience to others as a trainer, advisor and consultant;
Demonstrated ability to conduct and apply sophisticated political analysis to programmatic activities;
Knowledge of political processes and actors of Zimbabwe preferred;
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English required to effectively present information, respond to questions and negotiate outcomes;
Excellent organizational, networking and managerial skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional political relationships;
Experience in management of program budgets;
Excellent managerial and networking skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional political relationships and be a good listener;
Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, funders, and policy makers;
Experience working in a multi-cultural work environment and promoting staff development;
Experience living and working overseas, preferably in the developing world, and an ability to work in a highly challenging and stressful environment; and
Working knowledge of PC-based programs such as word processing, Power Point, Excel, along with e-mail technology, and intranets.
Comments
This unaccompanied post is based in Harare, Zimbabwe, with travel throughout Zimbabwe.
NDI offers a competitive salary, based on experience. NDI will cover the cost of transportation to and from the posting, as well as housing, local travel and all other business-related expenses. Further details will be made available to selected candidates.
Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
NDI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Program Management
Provide day-to-day management of program activities and office administration, and oversight and evaluation of Zimbabwean program staff;
Serve as a resource for civil society leaders in response to their specific questions and requests for assistance;
Monitor programs to determine that programmatic goals are achieved and that operational and reporting requirements are adhered to;
Adjust programmatic activities based on changing political circumstances and in response to needs articulated by local partners and program stakeholders;
Work in tandem with the Finance and Administrative Manager to oversee the NDI Zimbabwe budget, financial management and the submission of monthly program activity budgets and financial reconciliations to the Washington, DC, office. Make programmatic adjustments as necessary throughout the implementation cycle to avoid budget overruns; and
Ensure program compliance with donor requirements with regards to work plans and performance monitoring plans, and respect of procedures to ensure the integrity of all financial transactions.
External Relations
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with Zimbabwean political leaders, partners, government officials and members of the international, diplomatic, and donor community;
Serve as principal liaison between NDI and international donor representatives in country, Zimbabwean officials, international and local NGOs, the media, and the U.S. government representatives;
Serve as NDI’s representative at speaking engagements and at donor-related activities; and
Develop fundraising strategies with donors to help raise additional funds in coordination with the NDI Washington staff.
Internal Communication and Staff Development
Oversee the writing and timely submission of bi-weekly program activity reports, quarterly reports, monitoring and evaluation data, periodic updates on political/security developments, and other program related materials; and
Collaborate with and build the capacity of NDI Zimbabwean staff to play a substantive role in program development and implementation.
Experience Required
Bachelor’s Degree, in International Relations or related subject. Masters Degree preferred;
Minimum fourteen (14) years management experience overseeing international development programs, preferably in the field of democracy and governance, and at least five in a senior leadership role;
Substantial work experience in multiple disciplines of democracy development, including elections knowledge (required), and civic education, civic engagement and/or civil society development (desired), preferably in Africa;
Substantial experience overseeing and implementing programs, managing staff, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations, including experience in overseeing sub-grants to local partners;
Substantial experience in office operations, financial and human resources management;
Experience with managing USAID funding projects;
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with and build relationships with senior political and civic leaders, U.S. and foreign government personnel and policy makers, and members of donor organizations;
Substantial program design and management, proposal writing and financial management experience, including experience in initiating and managing sub-grants;
Ability to motivate and inspire a diverse group of professionals in a challenging environment, instilling a strong sense of mission and team work to program implementation;
Ability to communicate skills and experience to others as a trainer, advisor and consultant;
Demonstrated ability to conduct and apply sophisticated political analysis to programmatic activities;
Knowledge of political processes and actors of Zimbabwe preferred;
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English required to effectively present information, respond to questions and negotiate outcomes;
Excellent organizational, networking and managerial skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional political relationships;
Experience in management of program budgets;
Excellent managerial and networking skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional political relationships and be a good listener;
Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, funders, and policy makers;
Experience working in a multi-cultural work environment and promoting staff development;
Experience living and working overseas, preferably in the developing world, and an ability to work in a highly challenging and stressful environment; and
Working knowledge of PC-based programs such as word processing, Power Point, Excel, along with e-mail technology, and intranets.
Comments
This unaccompanied post is based in Harare, Zimbabwe, with travel throughout Zimbabwe.
NDI offers a competitive salary, based on experience. NDI will cover the cost of transportation to and from the posting, as well as housing, local travel and all other business-related expenses. Further details will be made available to selected candidates.
Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
NDI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.
How to apply:
APPLY VIA URL:
http://ndi.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid...
APPLY VIA URL:
http://ndi.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid...
