Afghanistan: Civil Society Officer - Afghanistan
Country: Afghanistan
Closing date: 05 Oct 2013
Position: Civil Society Officer - AfghanistanDepartment: Europe & AsiaLocation: Afghanistan
About IFESIFES is an international, nonprofit organization that supports the building of democratic societies. IFES provides targeted technical assistance to strengthen transitional democracies. Founded in 1987 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, IFES has developed and implemented comprehensive, collaborative democracy solutions in more than 120 countries.
Project Description:The goal of the Strengthening Political Entities and Civil Society (SPECS) program is to strengthen competitive, inclusive and credible election and political processes in Afghanistan through the provision of tailored technical assistance to citizen groups, advocates and political parties. Specifically, the IFES component of SPECS works with civil society groups, including women- and youth-focused groups, to conduct advocacy and promote issues critical to citizens. IFES SPECS activities bolster the capacity of advocates to mobilize their constituents, prioritize top issues, advocate to political entities, candidates and elected officials on those issues, and report back to their constituents on progress. This is accomplished through intensive training and consultation, community mobilization, advocacy and outreach, and networking support.
Job Responsibilities:The Civil Society Coordinator will, under supervision of the Chief of Party (COP), perform the following tasks: • Provide support to the identification and selection of Afghan civil society groups as beneficiaries of technical assistance;• Coordinate the design and manage the implementation of a series of intensive training programs with targeted civil society groups;• Facilitate consultations between civil society partners and local communities and other groups, wherein partners learn to identify and select key constituent and policy reform issues of interest to the public.• Provide support to the development of advocacy action plans for civil society partners, which will serve as the primary planning documents for subsequent advocacy campaigns.• Provide mentoring and technical assistance to civil society partners to conduct advocacy campaigns for the public and outreach campaigns with key political entities.• Coordinate with both civil society and program implementing partners to ensure comprehensive reporting of advocacy and outreach initiates for the public.
• Work with civil society partners to ensure a role by women and youth in the above activities.• Promote the creation and strengthening of linkages between civil society partners and other civil society actors in Afghanistan.• Work closely with an Afghan Program Manager and build his or her capacity to fill the Civil Society Coordinator position in the third and final year of the program.
• Provide inputs to further development of all project activities.• Oversee monitoring and evaluation of project activities, including ensuring data is consistently collected, inputted, analyzed, and reported.• Represent the SPECS project at meetings with various stakeholders and the donor community on an “as-needed basis.”• Produce bi-weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports for IFES and the project's lead partner organization.• Recruit and supervise IFES program and administrative staff in Kabul and five provinces.
• Oversee and approve IFES financial reports submitted to headquarters twice per month.• Maintain all IFES records onsite, including personnel files.• Serve as principal onsite contact between IFES and the lead partner organization.• Provide an end of tour report.• Perform any additional tasks as requested by the COP
Qualifications:• Bachelor’s Degree in political science, international affairs, communications, or relevant area; Master’s degree preferred.• 5+ years’ experience in international development and non-profit program work or related field.• Demonstrated record of technical assistance to local civil society organizations required, preferably in post-conflict states.• Experienced with Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint required.• Experience in proposal development required.• Knowledge of advocacy, civic education, women's issues, and election processes is preferred.• Experience working in/on Afghanistan issues desirable.• Dari and/or Pashto language skills preferred.• Experience in program management and supervisory roles.• Familiarity with USAID regulations and reporting requirements required.• Team player with experience in research and development initiatives.• Excellent reporting and writing skills.• Experience developing and implementing project workplans, M&E plans, and performance monitoring plans (PMP).
Other:• Initiative.• Ability to represent IFES on all professional levels.• Detailed oriented and organized.• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.• Strong communicator, both verbally and in writing.• Collaborative, team oriented individual.
Applying:Applications will be accepted online only, through the IFES website. To apply visit our careers website at www.ifes.org. Then follow the instructions on how to upload your resume and answer prescreening questions. A cover letter is welcome and can be placed in the applicant notes section.
How to apply:
Applying:Applications will be accepted online only, through the IFES website. To apply visit our careers website at www.ifes.org. Then follow the instructions on how to upload your resume and answer prescreening questions. A cover letter is welcome and can be placed in the applicant notes section.
