PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

With funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is one of three implementing partners in the Tushiriki Pamoja program. Through the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS), IFES will work closely with its two other CEPPS partners to ensure the program’s objectives are achieved within the specified time frame.

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE: 

The Program Director serves as IFES’ primary in-country representative and coordinator of programming with local and international stakeholders.  The primary focus of the position is to provide technical support to stakeholders, ensure the successful completion of project activities, and oversee management of the IFES project field office. S/he will also be responsible for maintaining pro-active contacts with stakeholders and the international community.

Job Responsibilities:

TECHNICAL DIRECTION AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

• Serve as IFES’ senior election technical adviser, providing technical support and advice to various electoral stakeholders.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of IFES’ project in Tanzania.
• 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 strategic objectives and goals within the allocated budget.
• Establish and maintain close working relationships with local electoral stakeholders, including senior election management body officials.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with international NGOs and the donor community to ensure successful implementation of the project and avoid duplication of efforts.
• Lead the drafting and timely submission of detailed, combined quarterly reports to IFES / HQ.
• Contribute to weekly reports submitted to IFES HQ, providing updates on program activities, progress, and challenges.
• Confer regularly with IFES / HQ regarding program implementation.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Regional Director for Africa.

MANAGEMENT

• In conjunction with the IFES HQ team, ensure compliance with IFES policies, as well as USAID rules and regulations.
• Identify and hire in-country office staff; provide general supervision and mentoring of local staff, including performance appraisals.
• Provide oversight and management of technical consultants, including a review of all consultant reports and deliverables.
• Assist in program development for IFES in Tanzania by identifying additional technical needs in-country, contributing to the development of future project proposals, and reaching out to the international donor community in an effort to diversify IFES funding sources.

DECISION MAKING/PROBLEM SOLVING:  

Evaluates risk factors with the potential to disrupt the achievement of strategic goals and sets an 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 the development and oversees the 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 IFESpolicies, as well as USAID or other donor rules and regulations, particularly with regard to fiscal management. Oversees the preparation and presentation of financial reports to internal and external partners. Ensures local and international procurement is conducted 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 a primary in-country representative of IFES with local and international actors. Develops, manages and maintains a 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/or sub-national events.

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.

Qualifications:

EDUCATION: 

Master’s 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 the related program area. Familiarity with Tanzania’s political, economic and social contexts. Proven track record with democracy and governance programming in developing countries, particularly Sub-Sahara Africa; solid experience working with elections management bodies and other electoral stakeholders 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 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: 

Preference will be given to candidates proficient in Swahili; fluency in written and spoken English required.

TRAVEL:  

Up to 20% of the time may be spent on domestic travel.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Standard office work environment.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job