Country Director, Liberia

“All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment/promotions and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

IFES takes affirmative action with respect to the employment and promotion of women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. IFES will also take affirmative action on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

IFES is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor”

About International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES): Together we build democracies that deliver for all. Our independent expertise strengthens electoral institutions/systems and builds local capacity to deliver sustainable solutions. As the global leader in democracy promotion, we advance good governance and democratic rights by providing technical assistance; empowering the underrepresented to participate in the political process; and applying field-based research to improve the electoral cycle. We believe that trusted electoral institutions deliver credible elections, effective governing institutions are accountable to the people they serve, all people safely participate in civic and political life on an equal basis and technology, information and data positively serve elections and democracy. Since 1987, IFES has worked in over 145 countries – from developing to mature democracies.

IFES is currently recruiting for a Country Director (“CD”) position for the anticipated 5-year, USAID-funded Liberian Elections and Democracy (LEAD) Activity. The program aims to lay the foundation for enhanced governance by promoting increased leadership of marginalized groups in the political process, by supporting the institutionalization of civic education and by building the capacity of the National Elections Commission and civil society organizations to independently manage and oversee all stages of the electoral cycle. This position would be based in Monrovia, Liberia, and report to IFES’ Regional Director for Africa.

The CD serves as IFES’ primary in-country representative and coordinator of programming with local and international actors. The primary focus of the position is providing technical support to stakeholders and ensuring successful completion of project activities. The CD will provide vision and technical leadership for project activities. S/he will be responsible for maintaining pro-active contacts with stakeholders and the international community. The Country Director will direct technical implementation of IFES programs within the assigned location and oversee management of the IFES project field office.

Job Responsibilities:

Technical Direction and Program Implementation

• Serve as IFES’ senior election technical advisor for the project, providing technical support and advice to various government and non-government stakeholders.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of IFES’ project(s) in assigned country/region.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of program strategies and activities.
• Prepare and manage the implementation of the project(s) annual work plans in fulfillment of the project’s strategic objectives and goals, and within the allocated budget.
• Establish and maintain close working relationships with local government and non-government stakeholders, including high-level officials in government ministries and election management bodies.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with international NGOs and the donor community to ensure successful implementation of the project and avoid duplication of efforts.
• Coordinate closely with consultants and field experts on program components.
• Lead the drafting and timely submission of detailed, combined quarterly reports to HQ, and ensure that they meet USAID and IFES reporting requirements.
• Contribute to weekly reports submitted to IFES HQ, providing updates on program activities, progress, and challenges; outreach activities; relevant events in Liberia; support required from IFES/HQ; and activities planned for the coming period.
• Lead and/or contribute to written technical reports, briefing papers, and IFES thought pieces, both program-specific and non-program specific.
• Represent IFES in global, regional, national and sub-national events and in international meetings, at donor meetings and other fundraising activities, as speaker and/or spokesperson for IFES.
• Ensure the highest quality of program monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and communications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Management

• Ensure, in conjunction with IFES HQ team, compliance with IFES, USAID or other donor rules and regulations, particularly with respect to fiscal management.
• Establish strong working relationships with the field staff to facilitate the completion of program tasks in a timely manner and within the allocated budget.
• Provide general supervision and mentoring of local and international field staff, including performance appraisals, staff development and other management issues.
• In coordination with IFES/HQ assist in the identification, recruitment, and hiring of in-country office staff, as well as local and international technical consultants.
• Provide oversight and management of technical consultants, including review of all consultant reports and deliverables.
• Assist in program development for IFES in assigned country/region by identifying additional technical needs in-country, contributing to the development of project proposals and reaching out to the international donor community in an effort to diversify IFES funding sources.
• Serve as the “Lead Coordinator” (LC) for the assigned project. The LC will have primary responsibility for the overall success and implementation of the project, including but not limited to, effective coordination of the partners’ joint activities, regular reporting and meeting with local USAID Mission and proper sharing of programming information among project partners. Perform other duties as assigned by the Regional Director or IFES senior management.

Position Scope: Serves as primary in-country representative and directs the technical implementation of IFES programming for assigned project. Oversees the management of assigned field office. In conjunction with IFES HQ, ensures compliance with IFES, USAID and other donor rules and regulations. Recommends policies, controls and procedures to guide performance.

Decision Making/Problem Solving: Evaluates risk factors with potential to disrupt achievement of strategic goals and sets appropriate course of action in response. Investigates and analyzes current information from various sources and in various formats to inform decision making and the development of protocols and procedures. Leads development and oversees implementation of strategies to track and mitigate risk and its potential impact.

Fiscal Responsibility: Ensures the completion of program tasks in a timely manner and within the allocated budget. Ensures compliance with IFES, USAID or other donor rules and regulations, particularly with regard to fiscal management. Oversees preparation and presentation of financial reports to internal and external partners. Oversee and approve local and international procurement in accordance with IFES policies and USAID rules and regulations. Authority to regularly make purchases and incur expenses, subject to established controls and procedures.

Relationships: Serves as primary in-country representative of IFES with local and international actors. Develops, manages and maintains collaborative working relationship with senior level stakeholders within and outside IFES to ensure timely and successful achievement of project goals and objectives. Represents IFES in global, regional, national and sub-national events and in international meetings, and at donor events and fundraising activities, as a spokesperson for IFES

Supervision Exercised: Supervises and mentors local and international field staff and provides oversight and management of consultants and field experts. Leads project planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Position Requirements: Education: degree in international politics, international development, public policy, or related field

Experience: Minimum of 10 years’ experience in election administration and international program management. Minimum of 5 years of experience with USAID-funded activities in related program area. Familiarity with political, economic and social context within assigned region. Proven track record with democracy and governance programming in developing countries; solid experience working with civil society and in designing and implementing civic programs; solid experience working with elections management bodies in election administration capacity development, training, drafting of elections procedures, logistics and planning, outreach and engagement of electoral stakeholders is required. Familiarity with the international donor community and experience as an action-oriented interlocutor with democracy-development actors at all levels. Demonstrated knowledge of USAID regulations and the implementation of USAID-funded project activities. Demonstrated knowledge in proposal and report writing and management of budgets.
Related Skills or Knowledge: Prior experience managing an international office in a politically sensitive and challenging environment. Ability and skills to promote and inspire effective collaboration between individuals, organizations and networks, demonstrating strong diplomacy skills and cultural sensitivity. Strong consultative, collaborative and participatory way of working. Strong interpersonal, 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 living and working overseas, preferably within the assigned region and/or other transition environments. Knowledge of local/regional politics and development preferred.

Language Skills: Fluency in written and spoken English required. Proficiency in at least one other language in use within assigned project location is strongly desired.

Travel: Travel required up to 50% of time

Physical Requirements/Work Environment: Standard office work environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of

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