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.
For more information visit www.Counterpart.org
SUMMARY:
Counterpart International is seeking a Legislative Strengthening Specialist for an anticipated 18 month, $1.6 million Elections and Political Process Reform Program in Senegal. The program aims to enhance the capacity of the Senegalese National Assembly and Civil Society to effectively contribute to and support critical reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s democratic institutions and processes. With the support and under the supervision of the Project Director, the Legislative Strengthening Specialist will be responsible for overseeing training and technical assistance to newly elected legislators and staff to improve skills in the areas of legislative drafting, citizen engagement, outreach and public communications, and policy research among others. There will be particular emphasis on leadership training for women legislators. This individual will coordinate closely with local partners working on legislative strengthening.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Through close collaboration with the Counterpart Headquarters Management team and the Project Director, the Legislative Strengthening Specialist will provide technical assistance to government and civil society partners on:
• Drafting laws based on standardized policy development methodology and legislative lessons learned from the region for consideration by targeted ministries/parliamentary bodies;
• Improving policy and legislative drafting capacity of selected legislators and parliamentary bodies through specialized policy development training and assistance, with particular attention to women legislators;
• Assessing opportunities for improving the National Assembly’s ability to conduct or access external research to inform public policy and legislation;
• Designing, delivering and facilitating training and technical assistance to lawmakers and staff in the areas of policy research, office management, public communications, constituent engagement and effective negotiations among others;
• Planning and establishing campaigns to achieve legislative reform;
• Identifying and engaging appropriate lobbyists, public relations firms, and campaign specialists.
• Improving policy and legislative drafting capacity of selected legislators and parliamentary bodies through specialized policy development training and assistance, with particular attention to women legislators;
• Assessing opportunities for improving the National Assembly’s ability to conduct or access external research to inform public policy and legislation;
• Designing, delivering and facilitating training and technical assistance to lawmakers and staff in the areas of policy research, office management, public communications, constituent engagement and effective negotiations among others;
• Planning and establishing campaigns to achieve legislative reform;
• Identifying and engaging appropriate lobbyists, public relations firms, and campaign specialists.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• A minimum of 6 years relevant experience in similar governance and civil society programs in complex environments.
• Preferred advanced degree in Law, Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science or a related field.
• Technical experience in several of the following areas: democracy and governance, legislative strengthening, advocacy, electoral reform, institutional capacity building.
• Relevant professional experience conducting, teaching or overseeing public policy research, and strong familiarity with how public policy research is utilized by legislators, government officials, media and advocacy groups.
• Familiarity with a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Thorough understanding of the issues surrounding the development of public policy and legislature in developing countries.
• Strong presentation and communications skills to meet the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the program and to effectively coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience working with legislative and executive branch and governance in Senegal or the West African region. • French fluency required. English fluency strongly preferred.
• Preferred advanced degree in Law, Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science or a related field.
• Technical experience in several of the following areas: democracy and governance, legislative strengthening, advocacy, electoral reform, institutional capacity building.
• Relevant professional experience conducting, teaching or overseeing public policy research, and strong familiarity with how public policy research is utilized by legislators, government officials, media and advocacy groups.
• Familiarity with a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Thorough understanding of the issues surrounding the development of public policy and legislature in developing countries.
• Strong presentation and communications skills to meet the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the program and to effectively coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience working with legislative and executive branch and governance in Senegal or the West African region. • French fluency required. English fluency strongly preferred.
How to apply:
Please apply online at www.Counterpart.org. No calls or emails please.
Counterpart is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, veterans and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply.
