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Chief of Party - Afghanistan

Chief of Party - Afghanistan

Location: Afghanistan

Division: Program Management

Status: International Full Time

Position Number: 11:174

Project Description:

IFES has worked in Afghanistan since 2002. IFES’ projects in Afghanistan have included fielding of experts in electoral systems design and administration, comprehensive civic education campaigns, and providing electoral support, skills and knowledge development. In June 2008 IFES was awarded a three-year contract with USAID - Support to the Electoral Process in Afghanistan (STEP). STEP is tasked to provide support to the Independent Election Commission (IEC) of Afghanistan in its long-term capacity building and other areas of operation. The contract is scheduled to end August 31, 2012.

Job Responsibilities:

The Chief of Party (CoP) will be responsible for the overall leadership and implementation of the STEP project. The CoP will ensure that project objectives and targets are met. In consultation with IFES-Washington, the CoP will manage overall project administration and coordinate relationships with the donor, partners and government representatives. The CoP will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with IFES and funder regulations.

The IFES CoP will provide leadership and support to the project in the following ways:

Project Implementation

• Serve as the primary IFES STEP in-country representative and on-site coordinator of programming with local and international actors

• Oversee the implementation of the IFES STEP program in Afghanistan, evaluating strategies and activities on an ongoing basis to ensure maximum impact of IFES’ efforts

• Provide expert technical advice on all aspects of election administration, including but not limited to election law, on-going IEC capacity-building, electoral systems, voter education, etc.

• Develop and maintain contacts and coordinate program activities with officials of the election commission, key local and international stakeholders, and USAID.

• Coordinate closely with consultants and field experts on the various components of the project.

• Ensure timely execution of project activities within the allocated budget

• Ensure the specified reporting requirements are met in coordination with the rest of the project team

Management

• In coordination with IFES HQ, develop and maintain administrative, financial and personnel policies and procedures for the relevant IFES projects

• In coordination with IFES HQ, recruit, vet, hire and train new local staff

• In coordination with IFES HQ, hire technical consultants to conduct clearly specified tasks within the project’s scope of work

• Oversee IT, security, finance, HR, logistics and procurement operations


Qualifications


• At least 10 years of relevant work experience in the democracy and governance field

• Minimum of five years’ experience with election administration and international program management

• Extensive experience with implementing electoral cycle projects post-conflict settings

• On-site and medium/long-term capacity-building of election commission and election administration staff highly preferred

• Master’s degree in a related field preferred; Bachelor’s required

• Strong professional and collaborative management skills;

• Working knowledge of donor policies and regulations

• Ability to meet deadlines

• Ability to manage and develop local staff

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Familiarity with political, economic, and social issues in Afghanistan.


Contact Details


Contact:
careers@ifes.org
Telephone:
202-350-6700
Email:
careers@ifes.org