Chief of Party, Afghanistan

Vacancy Announcement (Re-advertisement)

Title: Chief of Party, Afghanistan

Type of Contract: Fixed-Term International Consultancy

Duty Station: Kabul, Afghanistan

ABOUT IDLO

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) enables governments, empowers people and strengthens institutions to realize justice, peace and sustainable development. We contribute to creating stable and inclusive societies where every person can live free from fear and want, in dignity and under the rule of law.

To learn more about IDLO, please visit our website www.idlo.int or follow us on Twitter @IDLO.

IDLO IN AFGHANISTAN

For more than a decade, IDLO has been a leading partner of the Afghan Government in justice and legal reform, has acquired substantial expertise and knowledge of the legal landscape of the country, and has forged strong relationships with key justice sector institutions. IDLO is working with the Afghan Government, civil society organizations and the international community to strengthen access to justice, uphold human rights, expand legal capacity, and promote local ownership. Afghanistan has been an IDLO Member Party since November 2012, further strengthening the cooperative relationship between Afghan justice institutions, IDLO and the international community.

IDLO Afghanistan programming currently supports activities targeting legal aid, prosecution of crimes of violence against women, institution strengthening, capacity building through continuing professional development, and increasing awareness on legal rights through public awareness. It operates through a main office in Kabul and provincial offices in Badakhshan, Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, and Nangarhar.

THE POSITION

IDLO seeks with immediate effect a Chief of Party (COP) to lead on its Afghanistan programming. The COP will manage, supervise, coordinate and coach a team of national and international experts and will be responsible for the effective, efficient and results-driven management of the program, with a focus on quality assurance. S/he will be based in Kabul on a full-time basis and will work in close collaboration and encourage coordination with donor representatives, justice institutions, IDLO colleagues in Afghanistan both in Kabul and in the provinces, colleagues from the Afghanistan Operations Team, IDLO Headquarters personnel, and other Justice sector funded programs. S/he must be a reliable source of information and be pro-active in information and best practices sharing for the purpose of enhanced cross-programmatic synergies, within Afghanistan and IDLO as a whole, including contribution to the IDLO Strategy 2020 framework.

The COP must show sensitivity to the political, cultural and religious issues surrounding Afghanistan in order to be successful in this role. S/he must also have the knowledge and interpersonal skills to collaborate with colleagues, interact and direct effectively and efficiently with a broad multicultural team in difficult settings.

The incumbent will represent IDLO to external constituencies and must be a skilled communicator able to present and summarize salient points in an influential manner. Creating an environment of teamwork and cooperation is essential to the success of this position; the ideal candidate will have the skills to motivate and encourage relationships based on mutual respect and trust.

The COP will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:

• Lead the overall management of the program, ensuring effective, efficient, results-based and timely delivery of activities and results;
• Keep the IDLO Team and its partner institutions focused on targets and results;
• Oversee the local financial management of the programmatic activities, including financial reporting and budget forecasts, in cooperation with the Senior Operations Manager and the Operations Team;
• Monitor the work plans together with the team in Kabul and in the provinces and in coordination with the Program team based at IDLO Headquarters;
• Supervise the monitoring, reporting, documenting and communication of program results;
• Coordinate program activities with the Afghan Government and other stakeholders and donors;
• Represent IDLO before senior Afghan officials, the donor and international community and other external and internal stakeholders as appropriate;
• Keep IDLO Headquarters regularly informed of program progress, events and challenges, and work in close coordination with the Program team at Headquarters;
• Ensure sound coordination and communication among IDLO personnel in Kabul and in the provinces, with the Afghanistan Operations Team, the Afghan Government and other stakeholders, with the donor and with the IDLO Program team based at IDLO Headquarters.
• Lead on the supervised Team’s alignment to IDLO’s standards for work environment, workplace culture, ethics, overall employee wellbeing and morale, and set the example accordingly;
• Identify and evaluate risk to the organization’s personnel, finances, goodwill and image, and work with the appropriate colleagues in the operations, security, and programs units to implement measures to manage and reduce such risk; and
• Supervise, lead and coach national and international personnel.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education

• Post-graduate degree in International Relations/International Development/Political Science/International Law/MBA or related field.

Experience

• Minimum of 10-12 years’ of relevant project/country management experience including experience as Head of Program, Chief of Party, Country Manager or equivalent role;
• Proven experience in a managerial and supervisory capacity of human and financial resources and a track record in program management and program administration;
• Established experience in leading and managing complex projects that are strategic in nature and national/international in scope, preferably in the rule of law sector, ensuring the involvement of local counterparts and sustainability of such projects;
• Past experience in post-conflict development programs and legal reform in developing countries;
• Solid understanding of the Rule of Law and justice sector development;
• Previous experience in managing and supervising programs on Gender Justice is a plus;
• Good understanding of Islamic principles and experience in working in an Islamic context;
• Excellent team building skills and group facilitation skills, including cultural sensitivity;
• Highly developed negotiation and diplomacy skills and experience in working with government departments, ministries and high-level officials;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Experience working in Afghanistan is an advantage as is previous experience in US-funded programs or projects.

Language

• Strong professional oral and writing skills in English. Knowledge and understanding of local languages such as Dari and Pashto are an advantage.

Technical competencies

• Wide experience in team and project management, budget management and resource development, strategic planning and capacity building;
• Excellent analytical, critical reasoning and problem solving skills;
• Proven ability to develop and foster working relationships across a globally based organization;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively use computer and Microsoft office programs and other electronic sources in research activities.

Behavioural competencies

• Good team player, positive attitude, flexible mind, comfortable in working in multi-cultural settings;
• Openness to change and ability to work in transitional and complex organizational situations;
• Willingness to work and live in a (post-)conflict environment, adhere to IDLO’s security policies and regulations at all times;
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity and commitment to IDLO's mandate.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The successful candidate will be contracted for an initial period of 12 months, with the possibility of an extension up to 30 months.

IDLO offers international consultants based in Afghanistan a competitive remuneration and benefits package in terms of salary, medical and accident insurance, mission insurance, annual leave, sick leave, home leave as well as rest and recuperation (R&R).

The Program runs a five-day working week from Sunday to Thursday. Accommodation, cleaning, laundry and meals are provided in a pleasant, secure guesthouse with a small gym, good internet connection and an excellent chef in residence. Rigorous security is in place at all times. This is a non-family duty station.

HOW TO APPLY

All interested applicants are encouraged to apply via our website www.idlo.int/jobs and submit the completed IDLO Personal History Form (PHF), resume and cover letter.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome and encourage diverse applications.

DISCLAIMER AND CLOSING DATE

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the staff member assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.

The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Application deadline is: September 01, 2017 (23:59hrs Rome time)