IFES Chief of Party-Democratic Republic of the Congo

Chief of Party-Democratic Republic of the Congo

Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo Division: Program Management Status: International Full Time Position Number: 12:202

Project Description:

IFES is an international, nonprofit organization that supports emerging democratic societies by providing targeted technical assistance to strengthen democratic institutions. Founded in 1987 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, IFES has become a world leader in the democracy and governance field, having developed and implemented comprehensive, collaborative democracy solutions in more than 120 countries. Project Title: Voter Opinion and Involvement through Civic Education (VOICE) Project Description: The VOICE program is a USAID- and DFID-funded civic and voter education project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The program seeks to improve the knowledge and capacity of the Congolese people to participate more effectively in new democratic institutions and the decentralization process in the DRC. Activities include: strengthening the capacity of Congolese civil society and the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) staff to conduct civic and voter education activities effectively; designing and producing civic and voter education materials related to decentralization and future elections; and, implementing grassroots civic and voter education activities throughout the country via collaboration with local civil society partners.

Job Responsibilities:

The Chief of Party serves as the senior in-country IFES representative with the donor and other local and international partners. The Chief of Party will be responsible for maintaining donor relations, securing further funding opportunities, as well as guiding donor priorities by providing them with reliable analysis of the political and electoral environment. Additionally, the Chief of Party, with the assistance of the Deputy Chief of Party, will be accountable for in-country implementation, management and monitoring of all program and financial components to assure that the overall project objectives and targets are met. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to: • Overseeing and managing IFES office in Kinshasa, as well as all provincial offices; • Managing, implementing and monitoring all activities under the program; • Providing expert advice on civic and voter education to applicable partners; • Maintaining donor relations, including development of new program initiatives and • Providing expert political analysis to donors and stakeholders on the ongoing electoral process in the DRC; • • Hiring and managing local staff and consultants; • Regular programmatic and financial reporting activities. The COP works with IFES headquarters to: • Implement program initiatives through approved project work plans; • Develop new strategies and ideas based on local conditions; • Implement staffing plans and policies; • Track and monitor financial expenditures and project budgets.

Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of work experience in democracy and governance, preferably with some years of experience in in electoral-related processes such as civic and voter education and civil society strengthening; • Experience managing internationally-funded programs (particularly USAID); • Experience working in a logistically challenging or post-conflict setting a plus; • Masters degree in a related field (preferred); • Working knowledge of USAID policies and regulations; knowledge of European donor systems a plus; • Excellent interpersonal/representational skills; • Professional, collaborative management approach; • Ability to meet deadlines; • Ability to manage and develop local staff; • Strong oral and written communication skills; • Familiarity with political, economic, and social issues in DRC and the region; • Ability to travel within the region; • Knowledge of computers and relevant software (MS Office programs, Quicken, e-mail, Internet, etc.); • English and French language fluency required. To Apply: You must go to http:www.ifes.org/ to the Careers section and apply online. Applications are only accepted in this way. Make sure you upload all papers together (ie. cover letter and application, etc.).