Country Director - Kyrgyzstan Based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Job Description/Announcement The Organisation Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and a European office in Brussels, Belgium, SFCG’s mission is to transform how the world deals with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. SFCG seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities. With a total of approximately 400 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 47 offices in 31 countries, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. SFCG has a new program in Kyrgyzstan and is expanding. The organization is an exciting and rewarding place to work, with a dedicated and enthusiastic staff who love their work. You will be joining a highly motivated staff with a good team spirit and there will be opportunities to grow in the role. Summary of Position The Country Director-Kyrgyzstan will manage and implement a multi-faceted conflict transformation programme in the country. A central component of the job is working with diverse stakeholders, who are often of opposing views in what is a transitional environment, while projecting SFCG’s commitment to being a balanced, unbiased organisation and promoting positive, constructive solutions to social problems. The key qualities needed in this position are a profound knowledge of Kyrgyzstan, the ability to function as both a conflict resolver and social entrepreneur, and demonstrated leadership skills in team-building and fundraising. The Country Director will manage projects with the media, youth, religious leaders, government institutions, and civil society. This position reports to the Asia Director. The Country Director – Kyrgyzstan position is based in Bishkek, while the supervisor is based in Washington, DC. A national of Kyrgyzstan is preferred. Responsibilities · Oversee management of SFCG|Kyrgyzstan’s country program and managing project implementation of ongoing projects; · Oversee the management of grants and budgets and maintain regular reporting to supervisor · Create a long-term program strategy for SFCG|Kyrgyzstan and lead fundraising efforts for new projects; · Develop and maintain relationships with donors, government officials, NGOs and other key stakeholders; · Identify new opportunities for SFCG involvement in Kyrgyzstan, as appropriate; · Lead project design, proposal writing, and budgeting efforts; · Take full responsibility for the financial management and health of the SFCG|Kyrgyzstan programme, including budget management and financial reporting; · Manage operations systems, ensuring full legal and donor compliance in all areas; · Recruit, manage and evaluate SFCG’s programme and project staff in Kyrgyzstan; · Oversee ongoing capacity-building efforts in staff members, particularly in areas of programme and budget management; · Monitor and evaluate the results achieved by the different projects and the programme as a whole, supported in part by the Institutional Learning Team in Washington, DC · Serve as SFCG’s representative in Kyrgyzstan; · Stay abreast of the international conflict resolution field to ensure that the programme’s work remains innovative and professional · Develop and maintain local standard operational policies and procedures, ensuring that they comply with SFCG|Global policies · Develop and implement security and evacuation policy · Be directly engaged in the continuing development of the organisation, its mission and its staff, through the sharing of experience and knowledge, particularly contributing to its Institutional Learning efforts. As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties. Qualifications Essential · At least seven (7) years of experience in development, project management, international relations, peace-building, fundraising , journalism and/or related fields, including democracy and governance issues and civil society strengthening · Bachelor’s degree in a related area required (Master’s degree preferred) · Extensive experience working in and/or knowledge of Kyrgyzstan and the political, social and cultural issues affecting the region · Knowledge of and experience in conflict resolution, negotiation and mediation · Significant experience in project management at a high level in a non-profit environment · Demonstrated experience with budgeting, project development, fundraising, proposal and report writing, and grants management · Demonstrated financial management and programme administration experience · Ability to successfully manage and inspire a team in the field of conflict resolution, international development or related fields · Excellent managerial skills, interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional working relationships · Dynamic leader with creative problem-solving skills · Knowledge of major donor rules and regulations, and the ability to manage and prioritize multi-donor funding · Proven ability in convening and facilitating multi-party meetings and ongoing dialogues · Demonstrated experience in setting up and managing monitoring systems and initiating regular evaluations of the programme · Ability to work with people at all levels, ranging from high-level officials to community leaders · Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills · Written and oral fluency in English and Russian with a working knowledge or better in Kyrgyz · Ability to function as a social entrepreneur · A team spirit Salary: Commensurate with experience and education, with excellent benefits To Apply: Application Deadline: August 7, 2013. Please send a cover letter and current resume to [email protected] or fax to 001 (202) 572-6287 with the subject heading: Country Director - Kyrgyzstan. Please be sure to include projected start date, and to mention where you found this posting. Position is open until filled. No phone calls please. Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. Please see our web site sfcg.org for full details of our work.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 07:20:49 +0000