Country Manager (internationally recruited)

ORGANIZATIONAL AND PROJECT CONTEXT

The Department of Programs is the central management and coordinating function for program delivery and capacity development. It is responsible for the implementation of IDLO’s global program portfolio for field and non-field locations in line with organizational strategy. The Country Manager reports to the IDLO Regional Program Manager working in close coordination with the Director of Programs on strategic/representational issues.

The Country Manager establishes the basis for IDLO’s presence at the country level through identification of opportunities, securing of program resources, developing compelling programs and providing consistently high-quality execution that distinguishes the organization. The Country Manager assumes overall responsibility and accountability for, and coordination of, the operational and programmatic activities of IDLO in country. The Country Manager has delegated financial authority, approval authority for the delivery of projects and services, authority to act as external representative on IDLO’s behalf and management and internal controls responsibilities.

The Country Manager will contribute to the implementation of the project with a view to provide technical assistance during the establishment of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Court (SACC) within the overall vision of strengthened integrity of Armenia's Criminal Justice System and a specific goal of establishing and applying integrity-based institutional management standards for specialized anti-corruption bodies by the end of CY 2020. Sh/he represents IDLO with Partners, IDLO HQ staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, donors and civil society.

The Position

Under the direct supervision of the IDLO Regional Program Manager (RPM), Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and in close cooperation with the EECA Program Team based at Headquarters in Rome, Italy, the Country Manager shall perform the following duties:

 1.Responsible for the overall management of the program, ensuring effective, efficient, results-based and timely delivery of activities and results:

• Oversee the implementation of the program’s work plan, analyze and anticipate delays and challenges, proposing adjustments as required;
• Oversee the local financial management of the program, review the program’s financial reporting and budget forecasts;
• Expedite 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;
• Provide technical support and supervision to ensure compliance with IDLO’s quality standards throughout the implementation of program activities;
• Supervise the preparation of timely donor narrative reports in collaboration with the relevant Program Managers at the Country Office level and in consultation with the supervisor/Program Coordinator at IDLO Headquarters;
• Ensure that key achievements and results within the Country Office are promptly brought to the attention of IDLO stakeholders, including Resource Mobilization, Strategic Communications and Research & Learning;

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

•  In coordination with the supervisor, lead in 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.

 3.Lead 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;

 4.Responsible for the day to day management of IDLO Armenia Country 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 multi-cultural setting;
• Responsible for developing a Country Office staffing plan, coordinating with the supervisor and Human Resources in the recruitment and selection of selected employees;
• Oversee the monitoring of contracts, responsible for providing recommendations on extensions/promotions/terminations and other amendments to relevant contracts;
• Monitor the program implementation environment, including security, political, development and personnel issues that may affect implementation of IDLO projects; chairs the in-country Security Management Team and in coordination with IDLO’s Regional Security Adviser and Country Security focal person, record issues and risks and guide necessary responses of the program to changes in the political and security situation.

5.Represent IDLO before senior government officials, the donor and international community and other external and internal stakeholders as appropriate:

• Represent 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:
• Coordinate program and organizational activities with the Armenian Government and other stakeholders and donors.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Education and Work Experience

• Advanced university degree in international development, law, public administration, business administration, public policy or other relevant social sciences.
• Minimum 10 (ten) years of relevant professional experience, designing and implementing complex within an international organization in the areas of Rule of Law, Gender, Governance, Justice sector reform or Human rights;
• Demonstrated experience in leadership role and proven track record in program management, program administration preferably in the rule of law sector;
• Experience in capacity building programs in developing countries, building the capacity of a broad range of national actors;
• Previous experience working in Eastern Europe, and specifically Armenia is an advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required;
• Knowledge of Armenian would be an advantage.

Specific knowledge, skills and behavioral competencies