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Director, Black Sea Energy & Economic Forum (based in Istanbul, Turkey)

The Atlantic Council seeks a talented, entrepreneurial individual to lead the development and implementation of the Black Sea Energy & Economic Forum, an initiative of its Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center, that takes place annually in Istanbul, Turkey in the autumn. This position will be located in Istanbul.

The Patriciu Eurasia Center is the Atlantic Council’s focal point for work on and engagement with the broad swath of countries that lie between the Far East and East-Central Europe – the Black Sea littoral states of Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine, as well as the remainder of the Caucasus and Central Asia. Activities aim to promote US and European engagement in the region to advance transatlantic values and interests, including freedom, prosperity, stability, and security, as well as energy, economic and political cooperation and integration. Further information on the Center and the Atlantic Council is available at www.acus.org.

The Center’s flagship is the Black Sea Energy & Economic Forum, a business-led initiative now entering its fourth year that fosters cooperation around the Eurasian region and ties both among its leaders and between them and counterparts in the West. Participants in this invitation-only event include senior government and business figures and leaders in civil society, media and other fields from among the target Eurasian countries, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Balkans, EU member states, and the United States. Its agenda focuses on energy, economic growth and integration, and political and other trends in and affecting the region. Following on successful forums in Bucharest in 2009 and Istanbul in 2010, the November 2011 Forum in Istanbul attracted participants from 36 countries, including some 20 government ministers, 50 CEOs, over 115 businesses, and dozens of media representatives. Key substantive issues included progress on the Southern gas corridor, the implications of the Arab Awakening, and how the Eurozone financial crisis will affect Eurasia and the world. The next Forum is tentatively planned for November 15-16, 2012 in Istanbul. Further information is available at www.bseef.org.

Under the overall direction and guidance of the Patriciu Eurasia Center and Atlantic Council management, the Forum Director will lead the development and implementation of the Black Sea Energy & Economic Forum. He/she will be the Council’s and the Forum’s principal fundraiser in the region, as well as their point of contact and liaison in Turkey and for outreach to regional governments, businesses and other interests. The position will be located in Istanbul, and applicants will need to be able to demonstrate that they have satisfied the legal requirements for residing and working in Turkey. Regular travel to Washington and within the region will be required. The Atlantic Council seeks applicants with diverse backgrounds and offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience that will include commissions based on funds raised.

Responsibilities:

  • Planning: Participate in the development and implementation of an overall plan for the Forum that includes the budget, revenue goals and targets, and regional outreach to secure broad participation by area government, business, and other leaders.
  • Marketing/Recruitment: Develop and execute a regional marketing and fundraising strategy to secure support for the Forum. Assist in the recruitment of speakers, moderators, and participants from around the region.
  • Event Management: Oversee and assist in logistical preparations for the Forum and help lead in the staging of it and other Atlantic Council events in the region, in coordination with relevant Council staff.
  • Follow-on Activities: Develop and carry out follow-on activities and substantive work that will, in between its annual meetings, sustain the Forum as an ongoing initiative of relevance to its stakeholders and influential on the policy challenges they and the region as a whole face.
  • Outreach/Communications: Represent the Center and the Council externally in Turkey, elsewhere in the region, to the media, at private and public events, international conferences, etc.


Qualifications


  • At least five years practical work experience in fundraising, marketing, and business, and experience in organizing international conferences.
  • Familiarity with the states of the Black Sea/Eurasia region, their political and economic character, and key regional issues and problems.
  • Strong and current Turkish and Eurasian network of contacts in business, government/politics, the media, civil society, etc.
  • Superb interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collegially with others and with the highest standards of integrity.
  • Excellent English language, organizational and administrative skills.
  • Fluency in Turkish and/or Russian is highly desirable.


Contact Details


Email:
BSEEFDposition@acus.org

Application Instructions


Interested applicants should send a resume, a cover letter that explains the reasons for their interest in this position and describes how their skills will be relevant for success in it, a writing sample, and three references to BSEEFDposition@acus.org.

The Atlantic Council is an equal opportunity employer.