Country Director At IFES Company 2023

About the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES):

IFES advances democracy for a better future. We collaborate with civil society, public institutions and the private sector to build resilient democracies that deliver for everyone. As the global leader in the promotion and protection of democracy, our technical assistance and applied research develops trusted electoral bodies capable of conducting credible elections; effective and accountable governing institutions; civic and political processes in which all people can safely and equally participate; and innovative ways in which technology and data can positively serve elections and democracy. Since 1987, IFES has worked in more than 145 countries.

Job Description

IFES is seeking a Country Director who will serve as IFES country director and technical lead for anticipated programs in Tanzania and Zambia. If awarded, the Tanzania program will seek to strengthen the accountability, transparency, integrity, and inclusive practices of Tanzania’s electoral administration working with election management bodies, the judiciary, and civil society, with a focus on national elections in 2025. The program in Zambia seeks to provide technical support to the Electoral Commission of Zambia and judiciary related to electoral legal reform and capacity strengthening. Contingent on funding, this position would be based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with regular short-term technical assignments to Lusaka, Zambia. There would also be additional in-country travel required, such as visits to Zanzibar and Dodoma in Tanzania. The Program Director will report to IFES’ Regional Director for Africa and is expected to begin in May 2023 (contingent on funding).

This position will serve as IFES’ primary in-country representative and coordinator of programming with local and international counterparts and will provide overall leadership, management and general technical direction of the programs in partnership with IFES headquarters personnel. This individual will also serve as technical lead and is responsible for overseeing all activities and providing technical assistance to key institutions in all activities related to electoral reform including capacity building, legal reform, electoral operations, EMB communications/stakeholder relations, voter education and inclusion. The primary focus of the position is to provide technical support to stakeholders and ensure successful completion of project activities. S/he/they will be responsible for building and maintaining pro-active contacts with local partners, stakeholders, and donors.

Major Duties And Responsibilities

Technical direction and program implementation

• Serve as IFES’ country director for the Tanzania program to build institutional and technical capacity and facilitate reform priorities of the National Election Commission of Tanzania (NEC), Zanzibar Election Commission (ZEC) and elections stakeholders in support of district and national elections in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
• Serve as IFES’ regional technical advisor for the Zambia program to build institutional and technical capacity and facilitate reform priorities of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, judiciary and other governmental bodies involved in electoral legal reform.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of program strategies and activities. Adjust activities based on changing political circumstances and in response to needs articulated by local partners and program stakeholders, and in consultation with donors
• In consultation with IFES headquarters, prepare and manage the implementation of the projects’ annual workplans in fulfillment of strategic objectives and goals, and within the allocated budget.
• Coordinate closely with consultants and field experts on program components.
• Evaluate strategies and activities on an ongoing basis to ensure maximum impact, proactively identifying appropriate next steps and collaborating with IFES technical experts.
• Apply knowledge of international election standards to advise on reform efforts. Develop and provide advice on regulations, policies, and procedures to implement electoral reforms.
• Oversee the drafting of regular activity reports, quarterly and annual reports to donors, briefing papers, and IFES thought pieces to ensure the highest quality reporting and communications.
• Establish and maintain constructive working relationships with local government and non-government stakeholders, including high-level officials in government ministries and election management bodies, international NGOs and the donor community to ensure successful implementation of the project and avoid duplication of efforts.
• Represent IFES in global, regional, national and sub-national events and in international meetings, at donor meetings and other fundraising activities, as speaker and/or spokesperson for IFES.
• Assist in program development for IFES in East and Southern Africa by identifying additional technical needs in-country, contributing to the development of project proposals and reaching out to the international donor community in an effort to diversify IFES funding sources.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Regional Director.

Management

• Oversee the day-to-day management of IFES’ project and office in Tanzania.
• Oversee technical assistance and management of IFES’ project in Zambia, in collaboration with Zambia-based consultants.
• In coordination with IFES HQ, assist in the recruitment and hiring of in-country office staff, as well as local and international technical consultants.
• Establish strong working relationships with field staff and consultants to facilitate the completion of program tasks in a timely manner and within budget. Provide general supervision and mentoring of field staff, including performance appraisals, staff development and other management support.
• Provide oversight and management of technical consultants, service providers, and subawards.
• Serve as IFES’ primary coordinator for the Tanzania program, which includes responsibility for the overall success and implementation of the project, including but not limited to, effective coordination of activities, regular reporting and meeting with USAID and proper sharing of programming information among project partners.
• Ensure, in conjunction with the IFES HQ team, compliance with IFES and donor rules and regulations, particularly with respect to fiscal management.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Regional Director.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of experience on policy reform and/or elections, with significant experience working in East Africa preferred.
• At least five (5) years of senior program management, including direct supervision of professional and support staff.
• Demonstrated experience developing effective working relationships with host governments, including leadership and technical staff.
• Demonstrated knowledge of USAID and other donor rules, regulations and priorities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of proposal and report writing, activity planning and implementation, and management of budgets.
• Familiarity with the international donor community and experience as an action-oriented interlocutor with democracy-development actors at all levels.
• Technical expertise and experience supporting election systems and management in Africa, in particular developing the capacity of election administration. Comparative experience advising multiple EMBs preferred.
• Experience managing policy development and legal reform interventions in Africa. Technical experience in constitutional reform mechanisms would be a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in gender and/or integrating and mainstreaming gender and inclusion considerations in electoral processes.

Related Knowledge And Skills

Prior experience implementing programs 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 and gender sensitivities. Strong team player with a 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. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Flexible, dynamic persona with proven experience navigating complex and high-pressure operating environments. Experience living and managing governance and/or elections projects in East Africa. Knowledge of local/regional politics and development is preferred.

Language Skills

• Fluency in English (written and spoken).

Travel

• International and regional travel is required 25% of the time.

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Company name; The International Foundation for Electoral Systems

Location; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Full-time · Director

201-500 employees · International Affairs

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