DIRECTOR, PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT

Vacancy Notice  

DIRECTOR

PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT

Grade: 2

Location: Vienna, Austria

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING

The primary objective of the Programme Department is to create the conditions, platforms and environment through which religious leaders and other actors, in particular policy makers, can engage in constructive dialogue, thus strengthening mutual understanding and respect with the ultimate aim to encourage them to initiate action to bring about change in the policies of religious institutions and governments, at various levels, build mechanisms to facilitate on-going dialogue and action as well as strengthen networks of committed and experienced religious leaders, and other actors in the use of interreligious dialogue (IRD) for peace and reconciliation in conflict situations in particular.

There are two main Hubs in the Department:

IRD Hub focuses on applying IRD for peace and reconciliation in three regions, Arab region, Africa and Asia, currently in the 4 designated conflict zones, Iraq/Syria, Nigeria, CAR and Myanmar.

Global Practices Hub focuses on building capacity in IRD for peace and reconciliation, international networking and knowledge creation and dissemination.

ROLE

Under the guidance of the Secretary General and in close coordination with the Senior Advisers, the Director of Programme is responsible for developing and delivering the Centre’s programmatic activities in the field of interreligious and intercultural dialogue. The Programme Department Director manages all aspects of ongoing and future programmes, including planning, organizing and overseeing implementation of Programme Department’s strategic plan. This includes providing guidance and support to programme managers and ensuring operational monitoring and evaluation.

FUNCTIONS

• Ensure that the Centre's programme is designed, managed and implemented in conformity to its mandate, policies, strategy and guidelines.
• Coordinate the full portfolio of Programme Department activities, supporting the two Hubs in their efforts to incorporate and mainstream cross-cutting issues inter alia, youth, human rights, capacity building, dialogue knowledge, social cohesion and peacebuiding;
• Provide overall direction, guidance and support in the operalization and implementation of the KAICIID strategic framework, including monitoring and evaluation in line with best practices and KAICIID’s monitoring and evaluation policy framework;
• Maintain active and regular working relationships with patner organisations, relevant working groups and consortia;
• Advise the Secretary General and the Senior Leadership Team on, inter alia, global, regional and country level priorities and emerging issues with reference to programme development and delivery, relations with national and international partners, identifying  approaches and modalities to achieve strategic targets;
• Oversee planning and management of activities undertaken by the Department, ensure that programmed activities are carried out efficiently, in a timely fashion and within the available resources;
• Ensure coordination of Programme Department work with other Departments in the Centre;
• Ensure programmatic coherence across all KAICIID programmes;
• Promote knowledge management, and contribute to the organizational learning;
• Promote cooperation between KAICIID and its partners, ensure programmatic impementation of partnership and collaboration agreements;  
• Oversee preparations of reports for presentation to the Centre’s governing bodies, external stakeholders and to the Secretary General, as required;
• Based on stakeholder needs, develop new initiatives to support the strategic direction of the Centre, coordinate KAICIID’s cooperation with governmental and inter-governmental institutions, partners and other stakeholders;
• Manage and guide staff under his/her supervision, foster teamwork and communication amongst staff; work closely with Human Resources colleagues in identifying and addressing the needs for professional development of Programme Department staff;
• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to the development of the Centre’s multi-years strategy and provide regularland substantive input on various proposals for partnerships, funding and meetings participation;
• Represent the Centre at various policy level meetings and workshops;
• Perform any other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced university degree in interreligious studies, sociology, history, international relations or a similar discipline, preferably coupled with a degree in management;
• A minimum of fifteen years’ experience at a senior management level in the field of inter-religious and/or inter-cultural dialogue, including several years of experience in developing and implementing programme activities, multi-partner project management, including organization of major conferences and events; experience in intergovernmental or international organizations highly desirable;
• Extraordinary conceptual and analytical capability, curiosity, strategic thinking, and the ability to rapidly learn and apply new concepts;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to interact independently with religious leaders as well as with senior government officials;
• Excellent communication and public speaking/presentation skills;
• Senior management experience and knowledge of administrative policies, practices and procedures applied in inter-governmental organizations a distinct advantage;
• Ability to establish and maintain constructive partnerships and working relationships with staff at all levels in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Capacity to take sound decisions, ability to advocate and provide policy advice, ability to lead teams;
• Commitment to sharing information and contributing to the learning and development of the Centre;
• Commitment to highest ethical standards and human rights.

LANGUAGES

English proficiency (written and spoken), knowledge of any other major languages desirable.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

KAICIID offers fixed-term contracts of one year with a possibility of extension, depending on the continuing need for the position. Monthly net salary for Grade 2 Step 1 EUR 8736. Appointments are normally made at Step 1. If eligible, housing and education allowance may also be provided. KAICIID salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Open until filled.

HOW TO APPLY

Please upload your CV along with a motivation letter. At this stage, please do not send any diplomas, publications or any other documents. Only short-listed candidates will be further contacted by KAICIID.

KAICIID is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply.