IFES is currently recruiting a Resident Senior Technical Advisor (RSTA) for its electoral program in Guatemala. Under the management of the Country Director, who will be part-time and based in El Salvador, the Senior Technical Advisor will serve as the primary in-country representative, and ects the technical implementation of IFES programming for assigned project and oversees the management of the assigned field office. In conjunction with IFES HQ, the RSTA ensures compliance with IFES, USAID and other donor rules and regulations. She or he recommends policies, controls and procedures to guide performance. Job Responsibilities:
- Assist the CD in ensuring timely execution of project activities within the allocated budget, and strategic development and implementation.
- Oversee specific project activities as directed by the CD and provide technical input as needed.
- Serve as IFES Guatemala senior election technical advisor, providing technical support and advice to various government and non-government stakeholders.
- Serve as the IFES representative to Heads of Missions, Embassy staff and donors on a variety of issues when the CD is not available.
- Supervise in-country local support staff and consultants providing feedback on performance.
- Lead and/or contribute to written technical reports, briefing papers, and IFES thought pieces, both program-specific and non-program specific.
- 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 activities and avoid
- Oversee program management, administration, finances, budgeting, and reporting
- Oversee any necessary procurement in accordance with IFES policies and USAID rules and regulations.
- Ensure that donor-specified reporting requirements are met, which may include assisting in drafting quarterly reports for donors.
- Prepare papers, reports, briefings on election related topics, programmatic work, and donor deliverables.
- Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, donors and partners.
- Manage the project’s monitoring and evaluation plan and oversee data collection and reporting.
- Other duties as assigned.
POSITION SCOPE: Manage and perform highly technical work requiring ingenuity and capacity to evaluate and respond to new and changing issues. Support Country Director in the technical implementation of IFES programming for assigned projects. Oversee varied activities and processes to support effective project management and implementation. Collaborate with Country Director in monitoring all aspects of project operations, reporting and compliance.
DECISION MAKING/PROBLEM SOLVING: Identify risk factors with potential to disrupt achievement of program/project goals. Analyze issues, problems or opportunities and propose appropriate courses of action, based on knowledge of professional principles and best practices. Participate in the development and implementation of strategies to track and mitigate risk and its potential impact.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: Oversee project budgeting, financial management and reporting. Oversee and approve local and international procurement in accordance with IFES policies and USAID, non-US rules and regulations. Authority to regularly make purchases and incur expenses, subject to established controls and procedures.
RELATIONSHIPS: Maintain collaborative working relationships with senior-level stakeholders within and outside IFES to ensure timely and successful achievement of project goals and objectives. Represent IFES with external contacts at professional and government levels in the absence of the Country Director.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Oversee in-country project staff and participate in project monitoring and evaluation
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Education: Master’s degree in international politics, international development, public policy, or related field required.
Experience: Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in international development and project management, preferably in the area of democracy and governance. Technical expertise in electoral processes interventions in Latin America or similar political environments, including institutional strengthening of election management bodies, electoral information systems, electoral campaign finance, and electoral logistics. Strong capacity to develop and maintain relationships with high-level government officials, civil society leaders, and international partners. Minimum of 5 years of experience with USAID and non-US-funded activities in related program area, with at least 3 years of overseas living experience. Familiarity with political, economic and social context within assigned region. Knowledge of election administration and operations and experience working with elections management bodies. Technical knowledge and experience in area(s) of project focus.
Related Skills or Knowledge: Experience with financial tracking, forecasting and Microsoft Excel-based spreadsheets. Demonstrated leadership, national staff management, project administration and financial management skills. Thorough knowledge of USAID and non-US financial regulations and contract compliance requirements. Detailed oriented and organized. Demonstrated ability to manage staff, prioritize and handle multiple tasks and consistently meet tight deadlines. Ability to develop and manage effective local relationships by applying cultural awareness. Strong communicator, both verbally and in writing, in both English and other language(s). Collaborative, team oriented individual. Proven capacity to work well with minimal supervision. Experience in managing relationships with international donor community.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish is required.
TRAVEL: Travel may be required up to 15% 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 the job.
“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”