Transition Adviser

Project and Team

Under the supervision of the Transition Manager and in coordination with the Stabilization Program team, the Transition Adviser is responsible for ensuring the day to day operations of the Stabilization local councils (LCs) in projects implementations are in compliance with USG and Organization rules and regulations. The advisor assesses and develops the capacities of Stabilization Councils through on the job trainings, formal trainings, mentorship of council members, and technical assistance. The adviser will particularly help the LCs to ensure the implementation of financial systems, organization and different projects in newly liberated areas.

The position is based in Northern and Eastern Aleppo, Syria; with frequent travel within Syria

Location

The position is based in Syria.

Reporting Line and Responsibility

The Transition adviser will be under the supervision of the Transition Manager.

Primary Responsibilities:

 Design and implement capacity building workshops and presentations for stabilization councils in consultation with Transition Manager and Stabilization Program team.

 Provide daily support to council executive office, councilors and staff members in the development of short and medium-term strategies and work plans to respond to community needs.

 Provide project management support for local council leadership and staff help develop rules and processes to strengthen the Council’s internal and external communication

 Assist councils with design and implementation of budgets, internal organization, decision making and other relevant good governance systems designed for transparent and effective council management.

 Provide technical assistance to LCs as required, during preparation and implementation phase, working closely with the LCs offices and contribute to their capacity building:

-Provide day to day assistance to the LCs engineering and finance offices

-ensure compliance of vouchers with Program and USG regulations

-verify procurement procedures and documents.

-supervise the process of deliverable close out reports and reconciliation of account

 Assist LCs projects staff and projects managers write all verification documents to ensure consistency with program priorities, goals and objectives.

 Liaise with LCs to develop concepts and activities.

 Analyze and evaluate concepts submitted by LCs.

 Coordinate with the LCs to ensure effective projects implementation, compliance, and procurement requirements.

 Evaluate LCs progress, and coordinate with LCs projects staff to ensure that monitoring and evaluation data and reports are provided and are satisfactory.

 Conduct baseline assessments and community needs surveys

 Help partner councils in organization and implementation of community needs and council performance surveys

 Provide clear guidance of priority tasks in the field.

 Undertake other duties as assigned to ensure the overall effective implementation of program activities.

 Meet with Transition Manager and Stabilization program team to help in organization of needs assessments and performance assessments;

 Provide monthly report with observations about program impacts, potential new program areas, and program challenges;

 In case of in-kind grants and support provided to program partners, ensure proper documentation is in place and signed by authorized and vetted recipient of in-kind grant;

 Provide recommendations on project development and implementation.

 Submit regular time sheets and travel expense reports for program related costs to ensure timely reporting of program operational expenses.

 Provide updates on political, security, economic and other developments in Syria upon request.

Competencies

 Knowledge about work and organization of local and provincial councils in Syria

 Ability to analyze political work, define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions, and the ability to think innovatively

 Native written and spoken Arabic

 Excel skills required

 Previous experience in working with Syrian local councils and civil society preferred

 Previous experience in working with civil society organizations or other community centered work.

 Demonstrable experience in working independently and taking initiative

 Excellent inter personal and communications skills, including speaking, writing and analysis skills

 Able and willing to travel throughout North Aleppo Governorates; travel to other governorates will occur as conditions allow.

 Experience in coordinating logistics for training and other events and basic financial reporting highly desirable.