Job Information
National Democratic Institute Resident Program Director-Sahel (Chief of Party) in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Description
About Us
The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness, and accountability in government. Help support democracy worldwide by joining our team!
About the Role
The National Democratic Institute of International Affairs (NDI) seeks a Resident Program Director to serve as Chief of Party on a forthcoming USAID-funded program. The project director would manage a regional project to strengthen cross-border collaboration throughout the Sahel and neighboring countries to increase societal resilience to disinformation and propaganda. The successful candidate will oversee a regional Community of Practice comprised of country-specific CSO partners from across the region, as well as a large sub-granting program aimed at building whole-of-society resiliency to information manipulation. The Resident Program Director will also design and implement capacity-building activities for civil society partners to help them effectively conduct programming and support their local communities.
The Resident Program Director will also represent NDI to the US and other governments, donor agencies, and local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Close coordination with NDI’s Washington headquarters is expected, including regular contact with the Washington-based staff overseeing programs and activities. The Resident Program Director will be based in a French-speaking country within West Africa and should be prepared to relocate, if necessary.
This position is contingent on donor funding and the selected candidate is subject to donor approval.
Your Purpose and Impact:
Leads the design and implementation of programming in support of civil society partners.
Participates in program monitoring, evaluation, and learning activity. Oversees the development and timely submission of program-related materials and formal donor reporting.
Establish and maintain working relationships with political parties, parliamentarians, government officials and civil society groups, other implementing partners, and local/international non-governmental organizations.
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with international democratic development organizations.
Oversees and monitors assigned program’s annual budget; provides a full, accurate and timely accounting of all funds.
Provides day-to-day management and oversight of relevant program staff in the field office; together with the DC-based regional leadership, ensures professional development of staff.
As designated by the Resident Country Director, represents NDI in external meetings and conferences with donors and other international democracy organizations.
Directly contributes to NDI regional programming.
Coordinates NDI program activity with institutional partners.
Ensures adherence to NDI Washington, D.C. policies and procedures, as well as to funder/donor regulations, ensuring the integrity of all financial transactions.
Report on program activities and political developments that may affect program outcomes to the Washington, D.C.-based staff on a regular basis.
Provide overall direction, leadership, and management of the project to ensure efficient and competitive identification of civil society partners, timely transfer and appropriate oversight subgrants, and high quality cutting-edge technical assistance.
Ensure quality control and overall adherence to donor commitments, including necessary adjustments to meet changing political and social contexts, and donor requirements.
In coordination with NDI/Washington leadership and information integrity experts, mainstream best practices in building societal-level resilience to information attacks across a variety of political contexts.
Advise NDI staff and partners in civil society, media, and government on best practices to conduct public opinion research, analyze data and research findings, and use research to design and implement programming to counter information manipulation.
Oversee submission of program-related materials, including regular reports that describe activities, measure and evaluate program results, and lessons learned, as well as tell a broader story about impact. Ensure adherence to relevant and applicable policies and procedures, as well as funder/donor regulations, ensuring the integrity of all financial transactions.
Serve as the primary point of contact for USAID, manage productive working relationships with civil society partners, relevant government bodies, and fellow implementers.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree, in a related subject.
Minimum of ten (10) years relevant work experience in international development, with demonstrated designing and implementing evidence-based programming aimed at supporting information integrity.
Proven expertise with social media monitoring, data analysis, and visualization techniques and experience as a participatory trainer, facilitator and trusted advisor preferred.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to interact effectively with all levels of staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel, donor organizations, funders, and policymakers.
Program management, proposal writing and financial management experience required, including experience initiating and managing grants.
Experience in results-oriented program design, strategic planning, and program evaluation, including adaptive program management experience.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior political and civic leaders as well as members of the donor and diplomatic community.
Superior oral communication and written communication skills to present information and analysis on program and politics to a variety of primary and secondary interlocutors, including donors and international organizations.
Exceptional political judgment and analytical skills to interpret complex issues and to think innovatively and introduce new concepts.
Professional experience in region preferred.
Experience with USAID-funded democracy and governance programs preferred.
Knowledge of organizational development with civil society organizations.
Demonstrated track record of results-oriented program design, strategic planning, and program evaluation, including Collaborating, Learning, and Adaptation (CLA) practices.
English and French oral and written fluency required.
Unaccompanied – A staff member on overseas assignment may NOT be accompanied by any dependents not working for NDI. This may change once final location is determined.
What We Offer:
We offer an environment committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as a core part of our culture. We strive to foster empowerment and belonging as these values are central to our mission and to our impact. We believe that diversity in thought helps us solve the complex problems we face around the globe. Additionally, we offer a comprehensive benefits and allowance package based on the country of residency.
Additional Information:
NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EEO). As such, NDI makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state and local laws. As an equal opportunity employer, NDI encourages individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans or veterans with service-connected disabilities, to apply.
If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify NDI’s Human Resources department at HumanResourcesteam@ndi.org. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Please include a cover letter with your application.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)