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Tunisia: Resident Political Party Program Manager

NDI seeks to hire a Resident Program Manager / Senior Program Manager to manage a program designed to strengthen the capacity of political party leaders to negotiate and draft a new constitution that responds to citizen concerns, and to encourage interparty dialogue in Tunisia. The Program Manager / Senior Program Manager will design and conduct activities such as consultations, trainings and NDI-sponsored interparty forums. NDI seeks candidates with strong leadership and management skills, coupled with significant political experience. Relevant professional experience managing and implementing successful projects in the area of political party development is expected. Experience in transition societies is highly desirable. Fluent French or Arabic is a prerequisite.

This position will be based inTunis, with frequent travel throughout the country to meet program goals. This position will report to NDI’s Resident Country Director based in Tunis, and is available immediately.

Background

Following Tunisia’s first democratic election to determine members of a constituent assembly that will draft the country’s new constitution, NDI will work with political parties and their elected representatives to strengthen their capacity to respond to the needs and priorities of citizens. Activities will be based on lessons learned from NDI’s technical assistance to political parties in Tunisia since January 2011, and the findings of focus group research currently being conducted by NDI in the country.

NDI’s assistance will include holding individual consultations with political party leaders and elected officials, conducting multi-party workshops designed around themes developed in consultation with participating parties, and convening forums at which party leaders and elected representatives discuss key milestones sinceTunisia’s historic elections and consider ideas and policies that respond to citizen needs.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee the implementation of NDI’s political party program in Tunisia, including the planning and coordination of program activities to strengthen political party structures and operations, coalition building between parties represented in the Constituent Assembly, and enhancing the role of women and youth in party decision-making.
  • Establish and maintain working relationships with key Tunisian political party leaders and members.
  • Facilitate and coordinate technical assistance to Tunisian political parties through the organization of trainings on aspects of party development and coalition-building to support constitution drafting, including: comparative constitutional models, policy and platform development; message development; and internal and external communications skills.
  • Coordinate NDI efforts with those of other domestic and international organizations in order to ensure complementary program activities.
  • Manage the development, review and timely submission of program-related materials, including regular reports that evaluate political developments inTunisiaand measure NDI program results and impact.
  • Adjust program activities to meet the requirements of changing political circumstances and in response to needs articulated by local partners and program participants.
  • Provide day-to-day management and professional development of national staff.
  • Manage the budget of assigned program activities.
  • Build the capacity of local NDI staff to play a substantive role in program development and implementation.
  • Represent NDI to Tunisian political party leaders, international donors, and local and international non-governmental organizations, in coordination with the Resident Country Director.

Experience Required

  • Bachelors degree, preferably in Political Science, International Relations or related subject; graduate degree preferred.
  • Minimum of (8) eight years of relevant work experience including demonstrated work with political parties and elections.
  • Exceptional managerial and interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff,U.S.and foreign government personnel and members of donor organizations.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with senior political leaders in transition environments.
  • Exceptional analytical skills.
  • Proven ability to communicate skills and experience to others effectively as a trainer or advisor.
  • Fluency in English and French or Arabic required.
  • Proven experience in effective program and staff management.
  • Sound political analysis and negotiation skills.
  • High degree of organization and initiative.
  • Ability to adjust programmatic activities to match changing political circumstances and in response to needs expressed by program partners.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows environment, email technology and spreadsheets.

  • Superior writing skills; clear and persuasive written communication. Ability draw upon vast previous experiences to effectively and credibly edit all types of team documents.
  • Strong budget and financial management skills.