Kyrgyzstan: Team leader – Bishkek (with travel around the country) At ACTED

Fixed term | 12 months, with possibility of extension | 01.12.2022

ACTED

Created in 1993, ACTED is an international non-governmental organization pursuing a dual mandate of emergency response and development interventions in 40 of some of the world’s most vulnerable countries affected by conflicts, disasters or socio-economic hardship. With a team of 7,000 national staff and 400 international staff, ACTED implements 500 projects a year to support more than 20 million beneficiaries, notably in hard-to-reach areas.

ACTED goes to the last mile through programs and approaches that look beyond the immediate emergency towards opportunities for longer term livelihood reconstruction and sustainable development. Guided by the motto “Think Local, Act Global” and its 3Zero –Zero Exclusion, Zero Carbon, and Zero Poverty – strategy, ACTED puts local territories at the centre and provides a tailored support to local needs.

ACTED Kyrgyzstan

ACTED has been present in Kyrgyzstan since 1999, with a coordination office in the capital Bishkek and two operational bases in Osh and Batken, in the South of the country. ACTED’s interventions focus on disasters risk reduction, economic development, local governance and the promotion of peaceful dialogue and cooperation in both rural and urban areas throughout Chuy, Osh, Jalal-Abad, Naryn, Issyk-Kul and Batken.

You will be in charge of

ACTED is committed to the promotion of a 3Zero world of Zero Exclusion, Zero Carbon, and Zero Poverty. ACTED has been active in Kyrgyzstan since 1999, helping to address the country’s main development challenges and fostering opportunities for sustainable and inclusive development, especially in rural and remote communities. This includes a special focus on civil society development and transparent and effective governance.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has announced a new 12-year, 15 million CHF mandate project entitled ‘Civic Engagement for Development’ (CED), which aims to strengthen citizens’ influence on policy- and decision-making through their representation by and mobilization in NGOs. The project has 2 outcomes:

• Effective and financially sustainable NGOs have developed stronger links with their constituency, with a special focus on women and youth, and voice their interests in decision-making;
• NGOs have built coalitions and alliances to enhance influence on policy- and decision-making, hold the government to account and advocate for democratic reforms

Support will be provided to NGOs in the following thematic areas:

• local governance/local democracy, i.e. promotion of the key rights of communities to enjoy autonomy and self-government, and the right of citizens to participate in managing public affairs;
• civic education, i.e. formal and informal training to develop the knowledge, skills, and virtues needed for competent and active citizenship in a democracy (including human rights education), and for effective participation in the political process and the civil society, including critical thinking skills;
• civic engagement for social accountability, i.e. individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern and aimed at holding the state institutions to account.

ACTED is now searching for an experienced Team Leader (to be based in Bishkek) to include in its bid for this tender.

Note, final recruitment is contingent on award of the tender to ACTED; a decision is expected in November 2022.

Overall management of the Inception Phase (01.12.2022 – 30.06.2023) and Phase 1 (01.07.2023 – 30.06.2027) as well as subsequent phases if awarded to ACTED. This includes the following responsibilities:

1. Project Planning a) Develop overall project implementation strategy, systems, approaches, tools, and materials b) Organize project kick-off and close-out meetings c) Plan the various stages of project implementation and set direction by prioritizing and organizing activities and resources to achieve project objectives

2. Project Implementation Follow-up a) Oversee and manage the implementation of the project ensuring that technical quality and standards are considered and respected during project(s) implementation b) Organize regular project coordination meetings with project team c) Ensure budget utilization and physical target achievements are reviewed at least once a month as per work plan d) Ensure project implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts e) Ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with relevant ACTED technical guidelines and standards f) Anticipate and mitigate risks and trouble-shoot any unforeseen challenges during the project implementation g) Regular update the work plan, output tracker, PMF and other documents relevant for effective project management

3. Administration and Operational Management of Project Implementation 3.1. Finance a) Review the BFU(s) and provide accurate forecasts with BOQs b) Forecast monthly cash requirements of the project and submit to AC 3.2. Logistics a) Contribute to the development of Procurement plans b) Send accurate and precise order forms in a timely manner c) Contribute to quality checks and procurement committees to finalise suppliers’ selection according to applicable scenario d) Confirm quality of material selection if and when applicable e) Ensure a proper management and use of the project assets and stocks f) Plan team movements based on available fleet and applicable policies 3.3. Administration/HR a) Participate in the recruitment of technical staff (development of organigrams, ToRs, elaborating the tests and reviewing them; interviews etc.) b) Ensure that project staff understand and are able to perform their roles and responsibilities a) Follow-up the work plans and day-to-day activities of the project staff b) Manage the project staff in cooperation with Area Coordinators c) Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics d) Undertake regular appraisals of staff and follow career management e) Manage interpersonal conflicts c) Ensure capacity building among staff in relevant sectors 3.4. Transparency a) Ensure project records and documents (Flat files, beneficiary list, donation certificates, attendance sheets etc.) are adequately prepared, compiled and filed according to ACTED procedures b) Ensure staff awareness of, and respect of, ACTED’s code of conduct and FLATS procedures 3.5. Security a) Ensure that each member of the project team is aware of security issues, policies, SOPs and they follow them accordingly c) In cooperation with the relevant Security focal point, monitor the local security situation and inform the Country Director or Area Coordinator of developments through regular written reports; d) Contribute to the updating of the security guidelines in the project area of intervention;

4. External Relations a) Support, facilitate or undertake communication and liaison activities to actively consult and involve SDC, beneficiaries, key informants, actors, partners and stakeholders in all stages of project design and implementation b) Cultivate good relations with key humanitarian actors – local and international, including government authorities and non-state actors, through regular attendance at technical meetings and bilateral meetings c) Ensure that at all times contact with beneficiaries is conducted in a sensitive and respectful manner d) Where relevant, liaise with donors and work closely with partners on project updates, site visits and other communication e) Identify opportunities to collaborate and coordinate efforts with other organizations to ensure our activities build upon – rather than replicate – the work of others

5. Quality Control a) Assess the activities undertaken and ensure efficient use of resources; b) Undertake regular field visits to provide technical guidance and supervision as well as regularly monitor the progress of project activities c) Ensure lessons learned are documented, shared and reflected in project planning and decision making d) Advise on, and assist with, project reviews conducted by AMEU e) Ensure quality control, analysis of added-value and impact, identification and capitalization on best practices and lessons learnt and provide relevant feedback for new project development f) Identify and analyse gaps, ACTED’s added value, synergies and opportunities in the areas the project(s) is / are implemented and pass relevant information to the N+1

6. Reporting a) Provide regular and timely updates on progress and challenges to supervisors and other team members b) Draft (internal) narrative reports and contribute to the development of financial reports through regular budgetary follow up. c) Contribute to drafting of (external) project progress reports, ensuring the quality and accuracy of technical information provided

Expected skills and qualifications

• Postgraduate diploma in International Development and (or) relevant Master’s level degree (anthropology, development studies, humanitarian aid, sociology)
• Demonstrated managerial competences and experience in managing and coordinating mandates comparable in size and scope;
• Relevant higher education and professional training for the position;
• At least 5 years of confirmed experience in the related thematic areas, e.g. democratisation, civil society support, good governance, local governance/local democracy, civic education, civic engagement for social accountability;
• Professional experience in Central Asia or CIS countries, preferably in Kyrgyzstan;
• Strong managerial skills, including result-oriented management, strategic planning, human resources and financial management skills; strong experience in steering and mentoring; strong interpersonal, intercultural, networking and communication skills;
• Proven track record in cooperating with a large number of state and non-state stakeholders and in strengthening/building the capacities of key local partners;
• Excellent in both spoken and written English;
• Excellent in both spoken and written Russian;
• Knowledge of Kyrgyz is an advantage.

Conditions

• Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
• Additional monthly living allowance
• Free food and lodging provided at the organization’s guesthouse
• Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance
• Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance