Resident Technical Advisor (Program Director) – Citizen Participation – Mali 92 views0 applications

Job Function: International
Department: Central & West Africa
Location: Mali

Resident Technical Advisor (Program Director) – Citizen Participation: Mali

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) seeks a Resident Technical Advisor (TA) in citizen participation to oversee implementation of the civic and voter education objective of NDI’s USAID-funded EMERGE (Empowering Malians Through Electoral Reform and Governance Efforts) program. The TA will lead NDI’s assistance to civic groups working to enhance civic participation and voter registration and turnout in Mali’s 2020 – 2023 electoral cycle. S/he will report to the EMERGE program’s Deputy Chief of Party. Based in Bamako, Mali, the Technical Advisor will provide technical guidance and direction to a network of Malian partners working on citizen engagement, including support to the design, implementation, and evaluation of their civic and voter outreach activities, overseeing subgrants to local partners and reporting on progress to NDI headquarters. The TA will work closely with Washington-based program staff providing support and guidance for field activities and providing technical oversight and capacity-building to NDI’s local staff.
This position is subject to donor approval and expected to last 18 months.
The anticipated start date is October/November 2020.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advises and leads capacity development in advocacy strategies among civil society partners
• Through consultations and training sessions, assists partner civil society organizations (CSOs) to design, organize and lead targeted campaigns on voter registration, Get Out The Vote (GOTV) and other civic participation issues
• Guides partners through the development of subgrant proposals and budgets and monitor compliance with NDI’s subgrant policies and regulations
• Provides technical guidance and support to CSOs to develop systems and practices characteristic of effective voter registration, education and information campaigns, such as:
  • Strategic campaign planning based on lessons learned and public opinion data
  • Identifying target audiences
  • Developing and testing tailored messages and outreach activities
  • Establishing communication systems and measurement and reporting protocols, including the appropriate use of ICT tools
  • Designing and conducting Master Training sessions for CSO partners
  • Analysis of external and internal data to measure the reach and effectiveness of outreach efforts
  • Providing technical and strategic communications and organizing advice in support of campaigns
• Develops capacity among CSOs and NDI local staff to conduct civic and voter outreach campaigns
• Assists local CSOs with organizational and managerial development by providing training in strategic planning, staff development, internal organization and communication strategies
• Assists NDI staff and CSOs in the development of citizenship competencies associated with community-led development and local problem solving
• Consults regularly with Washington-based staff on program progress and submits timely reports to the Deputy Chief of Party and NDI/Washington that monitor program development and measure program results with thorough and high-quality data
• Maintains relationships with key partners in civil society, government and the donor community
• Along with the Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party, represents the NDI program in meetings with donors, other international organizations and civic groups to coordinate voter outreach efforts.

  QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, preferably in communications, political science or a related subject; additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a one-for-one basis
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant work experience in community organizing, political or civic education campaigns, youth engagement, international development, and/or organizational development
• Fluency in French is required; professional proficiency in English is preferred
• Experience implementing USAID international development programs preferred
• Demonstrated capacity to organize electoral campaigns, Get Out the Vote (GOTV) activities, and voter or issue-based civic education campaigns
• Demonstrated experience in public communications, including audience identification and message development
• Significant experience in developing citizenship competencies associated with community-led development and local problem-solving
• Demonstrated experience activating citizens around elections and electoral and political processes, using techniques such as door-to-door canvassing, and grassroots citizen engagement
• Strong training and facilitation skills to engage effectively in-person with political and civic leaders
• Strong oral communications skills to effectively present information
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with diverse and vulnerable communities
• Experience in mitigation of violence related to electoral campaigns in fragile environments preferred
• Strong political sense and ability to understand and respond to political developments and challenges in the country, and capable of quickly adjusting program response accordingly
• Superior writing skills, clear, persuasive, and experienced enough to edit all types of team documents
• A proven track record of working effectively both independently and as a member of a large field team
• Experience in results-oriented program design, strategic planning, implementation, and program evaluation
• Ability to live and work in a challenging environment
• Ability to adjust programmatic activities based on changing political circumstances and in response to needs articulated by local partners and program stakeholders
• Working knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheet applications as well as Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Google Drive, G+, etc.)
• Highly developed knowledge of the region’s political environment preferred.
• COMMENTS:
  NDI welcomes and supports a diverse, inclusive work environment. As such, our commitment is to promote equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and NDI employees. NDI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at NDI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities and qualified individuals who have limitations due to pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or medical related condition.
  Please apply online through NDI’s website at: www.ndi.org/careers

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