JOB TITLE: Smart City Safe City (SC2) – Technical Program Manager
REPORTS TO: Country Director
LOCATION: Korcë, Albania
LEVEL OF EFFORT: Full-Time Employee (40 hours/week)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: July 2023 – June 2025 (with the possibility of extension)
ORGANIZATION & VALUES
DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.
DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.
DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Critical Infrastructure Digitalization and Resilience (CIDR) is a five-year USAID-funded program supports the Governments of Europe and Eurasia countries (including the Western Balkans, Black Sea region, and Caucasus region) in assisting critical infrastructure entities to incorporate cybersecurity best practices into organizational operations, planning, and procurement; prioritize cybersecurity investment needs; select appropriate mandatory or voluntary standards and corresponding security controls; and establish the basis for region-wide cybersecurity information sharing. Through a regional approach targeting improved policies and legislation, information sharing, workforce development, and capacity-building, the program targets sectors such as energy (electric, natural gas, oil, district heating), water (transmission, distribution), transport, healthcare, finance, and telecommunications.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Critical Infrastructure Digitalization and Resilience (CIDR)/Albania is seeking a Technical Program Manager (TPM) to support the implementation of a 5-year USAID-funded Critical Infrastructure Digitalization and Resilience (CIDR) program. The Technical Program Manager will be responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of a comprehensive Smart City Safe City pilot initiative in the Municipality of Korcë. This will involve working closely with municipal leadership, donors, and other stakeholders to ensure the adoption of smart city solutions that integrate IT management and cybersecurity into the municipality’s overall development plan. The Technical Program Manager will also be responsible for developing internal policies for IT management and cybersecurity, facilitating the procurement of licensed software for the municipality’s computers, and providing direct technical assistance to ensure the successful deployment of a municipal-level hybrid cloud.
The Technical Program Manager will be a critical member of the CIDR team and will play a vital role in positioning Korcë as a model and roadmap for municipalities throughout Albania. The position requires a strong technical understanding of cybersecurity and broader issues related to ICT, excellent communication and coordination skills, an in-depth understanding of national sociopolitical developments, experience in working with stakeholders of all levels of seniority and professional backgrounds, and an ability to ensure coherence and consistency of work in a challenging environment. The PM will work closely with other members of the team based in Tirana, Albania, throughout the region, and the United States.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy Development: The Technical Program Manager will be responsible for aiding the municipality of Korcë in developing a Smart City Safe City strategy. This will involve engaging and supporting technical consultants and/or partner resources in conducting research and analysis, identifying best practices, and overseeing the development of a roadmap for municipal leadership and donors to invest in smart city technologies that incorporate proper IT management and cybersecurity.
Policy Development: The Technical Program Manager will be the primary point of contact responsible for supporting the Municipality of Korcë in developing internal IT management and cybersecurity policies. This will involve engaging and overseeing technical consultants and/or partner resources during policy drafting and stakeholder engagement.
Procurement: The Technical Program Manager will be responsible for supporting the municipality of Korcë in transitioning to fully licensed software for the municipality’s computers. This will involve close coordination with the municipal and national stakeholders in initiating requirement gathering and developing technical specifications inclusive of the bill of materials with estimated costs and expected timeline for the software’s procurement, delivery, installation, configuration, and testing. The Technical Program Manager will work closely with the CIDR team throughout the procurement process and will serve as the primary contact for the beneficiary and engaged vendors.
Technical Assistance: The Technical Program Manager will provide direct technical assistance for deploying a municipal-level hybrid cloud. This will involve working with municipal IT staff, other national stakeholders, consultants, and partner resources to identify appropriate cloud strategies, design the architecture of the hybrid cloud, and oversee the migration process.
Stakeholder Engagement: The Technical Program Manager will engage with stakeholders, including municipal leadership, donors, and other relevant parties, to ensure buy-in and support for the Smart City Safe City pilot initiative. This will involve organizing meetings, workshops or conferences, and other events to communicate the strategy’s objectives, progress, and challenges.
OTHER TASKS:
- Design and implement program activities.
- Oversee the day-to-day implementation of program activities in Korcë, Albania.
- Provide technical program leadership to program implementing partners and key stakeholders.
- Facilitate meetings and events with key municipal and national stakeholders.
- Draft or contribute to program reports, work plans, monitoring and evaluation plans, and communications materials.
- Conduct technical reviews of all deliverables and communicate feedback as needed.
- Assist the Country Director with other time-sensitive and priority tasks.
- Travel to Tirana as needed.
- Other tasks as directed.
REPORTING:
The Technical Program Manager will be responsible for providing regular progress reports to the Country Director, municipal leadership, and USAID. This will involve collecting data, analyzing results, report writing, and making recommendations for improvements.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Technical Program Manager will be responsible for direct oversight of short-term technical consultants and will oversee the implementing partner resources.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
The Technical Program Manager will travel to Tirana to engage with stakeholders and attend briefing meetings and workshops.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s or higher degree in information technology, engineering, cybersecurity, or social sciences.
- At least five years of experience working in the sector.
- Two years or more of experience implementing donor-funded programs in Albania or Eastern Europe.
- Experience with work plan development and implementing work plan activities, ensuring results are achieved or exceeded.
- Familiarity with key cybersecurity and critical information infrastructure protection notions and policies.
- Experience working effectively with counterparts at various levels of government, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and other key stakeholders.
- Networks and relationships with governmental and/or private sector entities in Albania.
- Experience operating programs in a dynamic working environment with multiple partners and teams. Proven experience managing a small team is preferred.
- Strong English language skills, verbal and written.
- Ability to work with people of various cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
- ICT and/or Cybersecurity related certifications or training preferred
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.
DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.
DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.