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Niger: Resident Director

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks a Resident Director with strong parliamentary and governance experience to direct NDI’s legislative and civil society strengthening program in Niger. The ideal candidate should be fluent in French and have at least 14 years of experience managing parliamentary programs, and excellent communication and organization skills. NDI's Niger program is designed to enhance the skills of legislators and strengthen the links between parliament and civil society in order to facilitate greater citizen participation in governance. The position requires an individual with sound professional judgment, political objectivity, and international experience, preferably in Africa. The Resident Director will be based in Niamey, Niger, with regular travel to other regions of the country. The position is contingent upon the availability of funding and donor approval of key personnel.

Background

In April 2011, Niger returned to democratic rule after the military deposed President Mamadou Tandja in February 2010. National elections were conducted in January 2011, and the resulting parliament comprises 113 members from eight political parties. The envisaged two-year program is designed to support Niger’s reform process.

The Resident Director will oversee all aspects of NDI’s programming in Niger, working with both Nigerien and international staff. S/he will provide strategic program guidance to Nigerien legislators, act as a resource person and trainer, oversee Nigerien and international trainers and consultants, manage NDI's office staff, and ensure compliance with NDI and USAID procurement and financial policies and procedures. The Resident Director will report to the DC-based Regional Director of the Central and West Africa Programs.


Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee the implementation of NDI’s program in Niger;
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with Nigerien parliamentary and government officials and political and civil society leaders;
• Act as primary point-of-contact and resource person for legislators and other program partners;
• Provide legislative expertise and training to members of parliament and parliamentary staff;
• Ensure program compliance with donor requirements with regards to work plans and performance monitoring plans;
• Manage the day-to-day activities and overall performance of NDI’s in-country staff, trainers, and consultants;
• Strengthen the capacity of NDI staff to develop and implement programs in accordance with program objectives and work plans;
• Oversee in-country program budgets and office finances, and ensure timely submission of accurate financial reconciliations to the Washington, D.C., office in compliance with NDI rules and regulations;
• Liaise regularly with NDI head office and submit regular written reports as required;
• Serve as principal liaison between NDI and international donor representatives in Niger, Nigerien government officials, legislators and staff, political party leaders, local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), the media, and U.S. Government representatives;
• Coordinate staff security with head office.


Experience Required

• Bachelors Degree, preferably in International Relations or related subject. Masters preferred;
• Minimum fourteen (14) years of work experience in democratic governance development with national legislatures and civil society organizations; legislative training experience preferred;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior political and civic leaders as well as members of the donor and diplomatic community;
• Substantial experience overseeing program implementation, managing staff, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations, including experience in overseeing sub-grants to local partners;
• Experience in conducting political analyses;
• Ability to motivate and inspire a diverse group of staff members in a challenging environment;
• Familiarity with adult learning and mentoring;
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and French;
• Experience living and working overseas, preferably in Africa, and an ability to work in a highly challenging environment;
• Working knowledge of PC-based programs such as word processing, Power Point and Excel.



Please apply directly at:
http://ndi.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid=217280&company_id=15851&jobboardid=479