Director of Civil Society Counterpart International

Counterpart International is a global development organization that empowers people and communities to implement innovative and enduring solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges. For nearly 50 years, Counterpart has been forging partnerships with communities in need to address complex problems related to economic development, food security and nutrition, and building effective governance and institutions.

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Summary:

Counterpart International is seeking a Director of Civil Society for the 3-year USAID funded Initiative to Promote Afghan Civil Society (I-PACS II). With direction from the Chief of Party and support from designated Counterpart HQ staff, the Director of Civil Society will be responsible for oversight of the organizational development (OD) and civic engagement components of the I-PACS II project. The Director will be responsible for:

• maintaining technical excellence in our capacity building activities with partner Intermediary Support Organizations (ISOs), Civil Society Support Centers (CSSCs) and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs);
• overseeing the expansion of the I-PACS national CSO network; and
• Providing direction to ensure an expanded civic engagement role for the network.

The Director will provide line-management oversight and guidance to Counterpart’s civil society strengthening (CSS) and community and policy engagement (CPE) teams to ensure a common vision and direction.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Through close collaboration with the Chief of Party and designated Counterpart HQ staff, the Director of Civil Society will:

• Oversee and manage the civil society strengthening component of I-PACS II, and the CSS team.
• Oversee and manage the civic engagement component of I-PACS II, and the CPE team.
• Provide expert input into the approach and design of both components
• In collaboration with the CSS Technical Advisor, provide technical oversight to the capacity building and organizational development support provided to Counterpart’s Afghan program staff and relevant ISOs, CSSCs and CSOs.
• Provide input into the process of assessing CSO organizational development needs and providing training and technical assistance for key partners to increase their institutional sustainability.
• Ensure CSS training materials meet the broader partner CSO organizational development goals.
• Identify additional internal and external resources for CSO capacity building and OD.
• Provide guidance to the CPE team and support to the I-PACS Advisory Committee in developing civic engagement strategies for inclusion in the Parliamentary, Government, and donor citizen participation dialogues as well as participation in the broader international platform, (i.e. international conferences and forums focused on development strategies for Afghanistan).
• Provide expert input into the process, organization and objectives behind the CPE-led community and regional policy dialogues, and their ‘roll-up’ into the I-PACS II National Policy Reform Conference
• Ensure that the CSS and CPE teams are developing and implementing integrated program strategies that are well coordinated, tailored to CSO organizational development and network needs, and complimentary to the overall objectives of the I-PACS II project.
• Contribute to the development of annual work plans, performance monitoring systems and tools, and writing of progress, quarterly and final program reports.
• Coordinate with Counterpart’s Director of Finance and Administration on all CSS issues relevant to CSO financial sustainability and financial management.
• Coordinate with and support the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) department in meeting all M&E activity and performance indicator requirements.
• Coordinate with the Gender department to strengthen integration of a gender framework into the CSS and CPE program approach and future activities.
• Advise I-PACS senior management on strategic needs and recommended approaches to civil society strengthening and civic engagement.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATION:

• Strong management, leadership and team building skills required.
• Minimum of eight years of international development experience, including specific technical expertise in CSO strengthening/capacity building/network building.
• Minimum of three years’ experience working in Afghanistan, Central Asia or South Asia with an understanding of the current capacity of CSOs in the region strongly preferred.
• A Master’s Degree in International Development, Public Administration, Non-profit Management or a similar field.
• Excellent public speaking and writing skills in English
• Language skills in Dari and/or Pashto preferred but not required.
• Advanced computer skills, especially advanced use of MS Office.

Counterpart is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, veterans and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply.