Mission description
Under the supervision of the Project Leader based in Astana (Kazakhstan), the Country Advisor is responsible for the project coordination in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
The Country Advisor is based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
He/she supports the Project Leader by coordinating the activities at the local level in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, notably the consultations with local stakeholders. He/she ensures the communication of the project activities at the local level, mobilises the local stakeholders, and coordinates with the other members of the Project Management Unit.
The role requires a high degree of autonomy and interpersonal skills suitable for an international and multicultural environment. Building connections with local stakeholders is crucial for the project’s success.
Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Project Leader, the Country Advisor is responsible for:
Technical Aspect:
Initially, during the inception phase, the Country Advisor will:
· Lead the Country Diagnostic by establishing and overseeing task forces for each component, ensuring effective cross-country collaboration, and crafting detailed action plans.
· Support the project management unit by facilitating local capacity-building initiatives, including training and community events like the project kickoff, to strengthen the ecosystem.
Throughout the project, the Advisor will:
· Conduct consultations with local stakeholders to set annual targets and develop annual strategic roadmaps, ensuring alignment with broader project goals.
· Oversee the execution of annual action plans, acting as a key intermediary between the project team and local entities to ensure effective collaboration and achieving objectives.
· Enhance synergies with other donor-funded projects.
· Support and organize visits from the project team or external experts, enhancing their interaction with the local ecosystem.
· Support the Communication Officer by suggesting content for project communications, such as articles and interviews, to support objective achievement.
Quality Control and Reporting:
· In collaboration with Component leaders, ensure the quality of technical deliverables from partners and service providers, ensuring compliance with project standards.
· Overview and report on local activities, incorporating narrative reports from supported structures to provide a comprehensive overview of project progress and impact.
· Support the MEAL Officer by contributing to the project’s monitoring and evaluation efforts, ensuring data and insights are captured accurately and timely.
Strategic Implementation and Oversight:
· Direct the project’s strategic alignment with local needs, actively involving local stakeholders to ensure relevance and impact.
· Provide strategic guidance and operational recommendations based on field insights, aiming for continuous improvement and innovation within the project’s framework.
· Develop a network of national partners and experts, fostering collaborative actions and partnerships to enhance project outcomes.
· Manage operational risks and develop mitigation strategies, ensuring any challenges in partnership management or activity implementation are promptly addressed and communicated to Expertise France.
· Ensure the coordination of country-level based activities across the four components of the project.
Institutional Relations, Partnerships, Governance, and Representation:
In close collaboration with the project team, the Advisor will:
· Ensure stakeholders (e.g., Ministries, local actors, implementation partners, Embassies, AFD, NGOs) are well-informed and engaged, promoting effective information flow and integrating each actor based on their role.
· Represent, when requested, the project at local events, maximizing ecosystem actor involvement and keeping local EU or French representatives informed.
The list of responsibilities is indicative and may evolve according to the needs of the project
Project or context description
Expertise France is the French public international cooperation agency. It designs and implements projects which aim to contribute to the balanced development of partner countries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and the priorities of France’s external action.
The Team Europe Initiative (TEI) Digital Connectivity – Soft Pillar is part of the wider TEI on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia programme, funded by the European Union (DG INTPA) for a period of 4 years. The TEI additionally includes Hard Pillar focused on connectivity infrastructure; both actions shall together provide the conditions for safe and inclusive deployment of satellite connectivity across the region.
The TEI Digital Connectivity – Soft Pillar is implemented by a consortium of leading European development agencies, including CFLA (Latvia), CPVA (Lithuania), e-Governance Academy (Estonia), Expertise France, and HAUS Institute (Finland). Expertise France is leading the consortium.
The project aims to bridge the digital connectivity divide in Central Asia, through the development of an enabling, safe and inclusive environment for satellite connectivity use, with the overall objective of increasing equal access to basic public services and socio-economic inclusion. The project activities will be implemented with a regional approach and cover Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
The TEI Digital Connectivity – Soft Pillar will be implemented in four main Specific Objectives (SOs):
1. Policies and regulations: support in the development of enabling policy and regulatory environments for digital reforms including digitalization, connectivity and personal data protection;
2. Connectivity: improve access to public and private connectivity services and strengthen users’ capabilities to benefit from digital public services, with a specific focus on rural areas, gender equality and inclusion;
3. Digital innovation: foster the creation of a dynamic regional innovation ecosystem and support the development of local digital innovations, in particular satellite-based, to tackle local challenges.
4. Cybersecurity: support the development of harmonized cybersecurity frameworks and strengthen capacities of the industry stakeholders, as well civil society across the region.
Required profile
· Master’s degree in economics, finance, project management, political science, international relations/cooperation, or a relevant field.
- Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in international environments, with experience in development and cooperation, donors, and relevance to the position’s themes being advantageous.
- Significant experience working in field positions within the context of international development projects.
- Familiarity with the socio-economic and political landscape of Central Asia, particularly Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
- Background in digital innovation, connectivity projects, and capacity-building initiatives.
· Proficiency in English and Russian is required. Knowledge of the local languages is desirable. Knowledge of French is a plus.
Technical Skills:
- Project Management: Proven experience in managing complex projects, preferably in international development or digital connectivity sectors.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with government officials, local organizations, and international partners.
- Policy and Regulatory Knowledge: Understanding of policy and regulatory frameworks related to digital connectivity, cybersecurity, and innovation.
- Analytical Skills: Strong analytical abilities to assess project progress, evaluate outcomes, and make data-driven decisions.
Soft skills:
- Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders in a multicultural environment.
- Autonomy: Self-driven with the ability to work independently while ensuring alignment with project goals and team objectives.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of producing clear and concise reports and engaging with stakeholders.
- Adaptability: Flexible and open to adjusting strategies and approaches based on the evolving project context and stakeholder needs.
- Problem-Solving: Proactive in identifying challenges and developing innovative solutions to overcome them.
- Team Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, fostering a cooperative and productive work environment.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Respectful and understanding of different cultural perspectives and practices, promoting inclusivity and diversity.
Additional information
WHAT WE OFFER
· An exciting job in an international environment
· A contract for a term of 18 months (renewable for a total of up to 48 months) based in Bishkek, with regular field visits to Tajikistan and the Central Asia region
· The exact remuneration will be defined according to the experience recognized for the position.
Apply online with a CV and Cover Letter, at the latest by July 28th 2024. Expected start date: September/October 2024
Only applications that are registered on our online platform will be considered.
Deadline for application : 2024/07/28 23:55
How to apply
Only applications that are registered on our online platform will be considered.