Resident Country Director- SENEGAL

Job Description

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) seeks to hire a Resident Chief of Party for an upcoming wide-ranging USAID-funded program in Senegal that encompasses work related to electoral reform dialogue; support for civil society advocacy efforts; promotion of political participation for women, youth, and marginalized individuals; conflict monitoring and mitigation; candidate debates; and domestic election observation, among other areas. The position also supports Senegalese partner organizations taking the lead on political dialogue efforts. NDI seeks a Chief of Party with solid management and leadership skills and experience in one or more of the above-mentioned areas of work, particularly political dialogue and electoral reform. She/he should have professional experience in West Africa and preferably prior experience working in Senegal. Fluency in French and English is required. This position will be based in Dakar. Please note that donor approval is required to fill this position.

Background

NDI has provided assistance to political parties and civil society in Senegal since the 1980s, including support for civil society groups to conduct the country’s first-ever parallel vote tabulation for the 2012 presidential election. NDI is seeking to hire a Chief of Party for a new three-and-a-half-year election-focused USAID-funded program expected to start this fall. The program seeks to support the inclusiveness, transparency, and credibility of the upcoming cycle of local, legislative, and presidential elections in Senegal. The program will be implemented by the three Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) partners. The candidate will have to be available to move to Dakar on short notice. This is not a family that accompanied the post.

Duties and Responsibilities

Programmatic

• Oversee the implementation of all aspects of the program and activity concepts, design, strategy, objectives, results and indicators.
• Provide technical assistance and develop learning materials, as needed, to ensure a high quality of training and enriching exchanges for beneficiaries.

• Develop programmatic strategies and activities for the program, as appropriate, based on changing political conditions and in response to needs articulated by partners and/or the funder.
• Establish and maintain strong working relations with the donor and diplomatic communities, international organizations, and in-country partners, including political and elected officials and Senegalese civic organizations.
• Coordinate and liaise regularly with consortium partners, including leading regular coordination meetings and ensuring program objective cohesion and complementarity.
• Identify national staffing and consultant assignments in support of initiatives under the program.
• Lead and oversee the drafting of field-based program reports, work-plans and other written materials.
• Ensure that monitoring and evaluation data, activity reports, and monthly reports are submitted to DC-based program staff in a timely manner with thorough and high-quality data.
• Provide regular updates to the DC-based team and USAID on political/security situations and other program related matters.
• Consult regularly with Washington-based staff on program progress.
• Serve as the main point of contact with USAID on program matters.

​Financial/Administrative/Personnel Management​

• Oversee program spending and manage the reconciliation of program expenses.
• Provide day-to-day management and oversight of program staff in accordance with office and personnel management systems;
• Oversee subgrant issuance process and monitoring of performance for multiple simultaneous subawards.
• Ensure adherence to both NDI and donor financial regulations, and respect of procedures that guarantee the integrity of all financial transactions.
• Directly supervise local staff and international consultants to ensure that activities are completed as planned and financial and program-related transactions adhere to internal NDI and donor regulations.
• Liaise with NDI’s DC-based program team and administrative departments to ensure all significant administrative issues are addressed and resolved and that all follow-up is performed as requested, as it applies to the USAID-funded program.
• Ensure compliance with national laws, NDI and donor administrative and reporting requirements, as well as appropriate implementation of field office policies and handbook.
• Represent NDI and its program at public events and functions.
   

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent educational background; advanced degree in a field of study related to international development or management preferred.
• Minimum 15 years experience working in political environments; experience working with civic activists and political party representatives on political dialogue, civic and voter education, election observation and/or early warning and mitigation systems strongly preferred.
• Six to eight years as a Chief of Party or in a senior project leadership position (such as Component Manager or Deputy Chief of Party) demonstrating strategic planning, high-level liaising and partnership building with international donors’ projects and host country government organizations.
• Extensive experience leading and managing governance and/or elections projects in West Africa; significant experience working in Senegal preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in gender and/or integrating and mainstreaming gender issues into interventions.
• Experience in program design, strategic planning and monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and to lead and manage a multi-national staff effectively.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and networking skills, cultural sensitivity, and a demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships with all levels of staff, US and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, funders, and policy makers.
• Outstanding ability to effectively transfer skills and experience to others as a trainer, advisor, and consultant.
• High degree of organization and attention to details.
• Ability to analyze political dynamics, and to collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to identify, define, and effectively and innovatively resolve problems or respond to opportunities.
• Ability and willingness to travel to locations which are often remote and difficult to reach.
• Proven dedication to the principles of universal human rights and democracy building.
• Knowledge of USAID processes and practices; and
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English and French.
• Working knowledge of PC-based word processing, and familiarity with Google software and applications including Google Docs, Google Calendar, and Gmail/Google Workspace, etc.

Comments

Candidates must be legally eligible and authorized to work in the U.S. NDI does not provide sponsorship. 

As a result of COVID19, this position will start in a remote capacity. However, when the office re-opens, this position will be based in our Washington, DC office and the expectation is that you would be based locally by October 2021 to fulfill this obligation. NDI does not cover relocation costs for this position.

NDI welcomes and supports a diverse, inclusive work environment. As such, our commitment is to promote equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and NDI employees. NDI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making.  Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at NDI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities and qualified individuals who have limitations due to pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or medical-related condition.

To apply for this position, please visit the NDI website at: www.ndi.org/careers.
 

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