Chief of Party, Afghanistan

ABOUT IDLO

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) enables governments and empowers people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, sustainable development and economic opportunity. 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 

The Chief of Party 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, and IDLO Headquarters personnel. S/he must be a reliable source of information and be pro-active in sharing information and best practices for the purpose of enhanced cross-programmatic synergies within Afghanistan and IDLO as a whole, including contribution to the IDLO Strategy 2020 framework.

Reporting to the Regional Program Manager, the Chief of Party will be responsible for:

1. Representing IDLO before senior government officials, the donor and international community and other external and internal stakeholders as appropriate;

• Representing IDLO in internal and external meetings ensuring that project achievements are shared to position IDLO as a partner in the work of development in the area of rule of law:
• Coordinating program and organizational activities with the Afghan Government and other stakeholders and donors

2. The overall management of the Program, ensuring effective, efficient, results-based and timely delivery of activities and results;

• Overseeing the implementation of the Program’s work plan, analyze and anticipate delays and challenges, proposing adjustments as required;
• Overseeing the local financial management of the program, review the Program’s financial reporting and Program budget forecasts;
• Expediting program implementation through discussions and correspondence with technical, substantive, and project personnel, ensuring HQ support, including undertaking field visits and analysis of periodic program progress reports;
• Providing technical support and supervision to ensure compliance with IDLO’s quality standards throughout the implementation of the Program’s activities;
• Supervising the preparation of timely donor narrative reports in consultation with the Program team at IDLO Headquarters;
• Ensuring that key achievements and results within the Country Office are promptly brought to the attention of IDLO stakeholders, including External Relations, Resource Mobilization, and Research & Learning;

2. Leading the development of the Country Strategy, in line with IDLO’s global programmatic priorities;

• In coordination with the Regional Program Manager, lead the development of country strategies, sharing accountability with the RPM for key performance indicators ensuring that these are aligned to the strategic priorities of the organization;

2. Leading program development

• Identify new program opportunities and develop team capacity to delivery and promote program development;
• Liaise with external stakeholders and donors to maintain or enhance existing relationships to the benefit of the Organization, as well as to actively participate in advancing new donor and stakeholder partnerships;
• Oversee the design of implementation plans within designated area by means of standardized program cycle management tools, logic models and frameworks, work plans, monitoring reports, and others;

2. Day to day management of IDLO Field Program Office;

• Effectively lead team by providing clear direction, addressing staff development, and implementing performance management through ongoing dialogue, feedback, and mentoring; motivate and support team with a view to fostering a teamwork approach in meeting objectives and goals; address possible conflicts in a positive and constructive manner; encourage initiative and maintain effective working relationships within a multicultural setting;
• Overseeing the monitoring of contracts, and making recommendations on extensions/promotions/terminations and other amendments to contracts;
• Monitoring the Program implementation environment, including security, political, development and personnel issues that may affect implementation of IDLO projects; In coordination with the Security Management Team in country, record issues and risks and guide necessary responses of the Program to changes in the political and security situation.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Work Experience

• Graduate degree or equivalent in international development, law, public administration, business administration, public policy or other relevant social sciences.
• A minimum of 10 years’ relevant professional experience within an international organization, designing and implementing complex programs;
• Proven experience in a managerial and supervisory capacity of human and financial resources and a track record in program management and program administration. Languages
• Full professional competence of written and verbal communication skills in English is essential. Knowledge of Dari or Pashto preferred.

Specific knowledge, skills and competencies

• Familiarity with standard program and data management tools, as well as results-based management and monitoring and evaluation principles;
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, and sensitivity to the political, cultural, and religious issues surrounding Afghanistan.
• Self-motivated and dynamic with a willingness and ability to use initiative to assist the organization to achieve its objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Proficient use of any other ICT software and internet software;
• Solid interpersonal skills; works effectively across and within IDLO organizational boundaries;
• Proven ability to see through tasks set and deliver results;
• The ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, flexibility, and an entrepreneurial spirit;
• Ability and willingness to travel within the country, if necessary;

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The successful candidate will be contracted for a period of 12 months, with the possibility of extension, depending on satisfactory performance and continued funding availability. 

For this position, IDLO shall offer a monthly basic salary in the range of USD 11,000 and an additional benefits package including monthly hardship allowance (USD 2,249), a lump sum relocation allowance, provident fund at 14% of the basic salary, medical and mission insurance, 30 days’ annual leave, sick leave, home leave once a year and rest and recuperation (R&R).

This is a non-family duty station. The Program runs a five-day working week from Sunday to Thursday. Accommodation, cleaning, laundry and meals are provided in a pleasant, secure and fully-serviced compound. Rigorous security is in place at all times. 

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.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

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:  December 10, 2018 (23:59hrs Rome time)