SUMMARY:
The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks a Program Director to manage its local governance program in Afghanistan. The Director will be responsible for: overseeing the daily operations and implementation of the provincial councils program; meeting program goals; supervising a team of Afghan staff; managing the program budget; collaborating with the NDI Afghanistan senior management team; adhering to security protocols; and maintaining relationships with provincial councils, representatives of the Afghan government and other program stakeholders.
The preferred candidate will have at least 14 years of experience in democratic governance development, preferably with local governments; the ability to communicate skills and experience to others as a trainer, advisor and workshop facilitator; and the ability to adjust programmatic activities based on changing political and security circumstances and in response to needs articulated by local partners and program stakeholders.
Prior experience working and living in a challenging international environment is required. The representative will report to NDI’s Country Director in Afghanistan and will work in coordination with Washington, D.C.-based staff. The Program Director will be based in Kabul. Travel within Afghanistan is required.
The position is available immediately. A commitment until September 30, 2013 is expected for this position.
BACKGROUND:
NDI established an office in Afghanistan in March 2002 and has since conducted programs to support political participation and the development of democratic governance institutions. The Institute has helped to prepare candidates, political parties, polling agents, women and domestic monitors to participate effectively in the country’s 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2010 elections.
From 2006 to 2008, NDI implemented programs to strengthen political processes in the National Assembly, including:the development of a women’s legislative network; technical advice to parliamentary leaders on legislative rules of procedure; the coordination of a parliamentary internship program; professional development training to parliamentary staff; and assistance to parliamentary commissions in adopting strategic workplans and coordinating oversight hearings.
Since 2006, NDI has been supporting programs to assist the country’s 34 provincial councils, strengthening the capacity of local government to address citizen needs and function effectively in the country’s development processes. The Institute assists provincial councilors in conducting citizen outreach, planning provincial development, conducting oversight on ongoing local development projects and promoting government accountability. Through targeted training and technical assistance, NDI aims to help councilors acquire skills to engage in provincial development initiatives and to enhance the long-term institutional capacity of councils. NDI has developed manuals, in Dari and Pashto, on the roles and responsibilities of councilors, the provincial development process, as well as on communication and outreach to provide councilors with resources as they utilize the skills gained through the program.
Ongoing efforts include tailored technical assistance to women councilors and the engagement of youth in local government through an internship program that places university students with provincial councils across the country. NDI also works closely with the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) to ensure continuous support for Afghanistan’s local governance mechanisms.
The Institute’s current programs are implemented through seven regional offices in Afghanistan – in Balkh, Herat, Kandahar, Khost, Kunduz, Nangarhar and NDI’s primary office in Kabul.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Manage the implementation of the provincial council program, monitor progress, and ensure that interim benchmarks and overall program goals are achieved.
•Provide day-to-day management and oversight of Afghan staff members in multiple offices and build the capacity of NDI staff to play a substantive role in program development and implementation.
•Organize and provide training through workshops and individual consultations with Afghan provincial councilors on: public outreach strategies; setting provincial development priorities; and oversight of local development projects.
•Provide technical assistance to senior members of IDLG in their development of a long-term strategy to build the capacity of provincial councils.
•Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with councilors, civil society organizations, community leaders, and government officials.
•Develop mechanisms to increase engagement between the provincial councils, the National Assembly and the government ministries.
•Report to NDI Afghanistan’s Country Director and Washington-based staff on program progress and political developments.
•In coordination with Country Director, manage the program’s budget and adhere to operational and reporting requirements.
•Develop, as appropriate, new programmatic strategies and activities based on changing political and security conditions and in response to the needs articulated by provincial councils.
•Actively coordinate with other NDI Afghanistan program managers and the finance and administration departments, to help ensure effective implementation of all in-country NDI program activities.
•Work closely with NDI Afghanistan’s Country Director and Resident Security and Operations Directors to assess and coordinate appropriate security measures for the provincial councils program.
QUALIFICATIONS
•A minimum of 14 years of experience working in democratic development and with local government.
•Bachelors degree required. Graduate degree in law, public policy, international relations, political science or related field preferred.
•Experience living and working in an international setting required; prior experience in conflict or post-conflict settings strongly preferred.
•Proven experience managing staff members located in multiple offices and promoting staff development in a multi-cultural work environment.
•Demonstrated success in working in collaboration with a senior management team.
•Extensive background in organizing and facilitating individual and group consultations and communicating skills and experience to others as a trainer, advisor, or consultant.
•Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to build and maintain professional political relationships. Extensive experience in team-oriented work environments.
•Proficiency in financial management and reporting with a high degree of organization and attention to detail.
•Broad knowledge of USAID rules and regulations.
•Strong oral and written communication skills in English.
•Computer literacy is required; preference for proficiency in Microsoft applications.
How to apply:
To apply, please visit our website at www.ndi.org
