Resident Senior/Program Managers

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks to hire two (2) Resident Senior/Program Managers to implement complementary legislative and executive strengthening programs with Somali partners including federal and regional parliaments, federal and regional government executive offices and ministries, political associations and groups, and civil society actors. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, these positions require regular travel to Djibouti, Puntland (northeast Somalia) and the broader region. The legislative manager position is available immediately, and the executive manager position is available September 2012, both positions contingent upon availability of funding.

Background

NDI has been active in Somalia since late 2005 with programming supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) aimed at building the core capacities, roles and responsibilities of the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) including the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP), Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Independent Federal Constitutional Commission (IFCC), Committee of Experts (CoE) and the Puntland parliament, executive ministries and civil society as well as political associations and groups. The Institute has worked with the federal offices of the president and prime minister and the speaker of parliament, political and administrative heads of more than 30 ministries, and nearly 400 members of parliament (MPs), including two-dozen female MPs. The Institute’s work in Puntland has resulted in collaboration with regional ministries related to women and youth participation including more than 200 women in local councils and community leaders in 11 regions as well as all 28 director generals. A new program component anticipated to begin September 2012 will be support for the development of a political party system in Somalia.

Primary Responsibilities

Manage the implementation of program activities including strategic planning, functional expertise, administrative, accounting/financial, monitoring and evaluation, donor communications and reporting, operations and security; Develop and organize training sessions for Somali partners regarding program implementation and monitoring; assessments and reporting; comparative government, political and/or civic structures; Somali-specific governance structures and institutions; and intra-governmental and political communication systems as well as external communication and interaction with civil society actors, etc.; Advise Somali partners regarding their respective legislative, executive, political and civic roles and responsibilities to advance their capabilities and capacities; Identify consultants and experts – international, regional and/or Somali – to assist with the program and oversee their work and activities; Develop and/or manage the creation of program materials when needed to facilitate activities, workshops, training sessions, etc; Build and maintain relationships with donors, key Somali officials, civil society actors and other partner groups; Draft and submit activity and quarterly program reports which monitor and evaluate program performance and results as well as political and security developments; Ensure programmatic objectives are achieved as well as operational and reporting requirements are adhered to; and Develop, implement and/or manage other programmatic and administrative activities as needed.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in International Relations or related subject; graduate degree desired; Minimum of eight (8) years relevant work experience for the Program Manager position, ten (10) years relevant work experience for the Senior Program Manager position in international development, community organizing, political campaigns, organizational development and/or legislative affairs. Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirement on a one-for-one basis; Living or working experience outside of the U.S. required especially in extremely challenging political environments with additional preferred experience in the Middle East or Africa and/or in fragile, failed, conflict and/or immediate post-conflict environments; additional experience preferred in implementing programs and activities remotely within conflict environments due to security limitations. Knowledge of and comparative experience in legislative and executive processes, political parties, and citizen participation; Experience developing and implementing governance, media, political party and/or citizen participation programs in a fast-paced environment; Experience in implementing organization and development programs funded by European, USAID and other bi- and multi-lateral donors; Ability to communicate skills and experience to others as a trainer, advisor and consultant as well as experience in organizing and conducting trainings and workshops; Excellent managerial and networking skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional political relationships; Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, funders, and policy makers; Excellent oral and written communications skills to effectively and persuasively present information, respond to questions and negotiate as well as share information with partners, donors and bilateral partners; Oral and written fluency in English required; fluency in Arabic and/or Somali highly desirable; Conversational, foreign language ability applicable to region preferred; Experience in program design, strategic planning and monitoring and evaluation; Proven analytical skills for interpreting complex program and political issues and to think innovatively and introduce new concepts; Ability to lead, inspire and motivate staff where results are clearly beneficial; Working knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheet applications with seasoned budget and accounting skills; and Ability and willingness to travel to regional locations, which are often remote and difficult to reach.

Comments:

The resident senior/program managers work with other management staff as well as full- and part-time national staff with support from NDI’s Nairobi and Washington-based regional staff. These positions report to the resident director in Nairobi. Salary range is commensurate with experience. Benefits and a housing allowance are provided. The positions currently are accompanied posts.

NDI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, political affiliation, religion, gender, disability, and/or sexual orientation.

To apply, please visit NDI’s website at http://www.ndi.org/current_openings.