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Summary
As part of USIP’s Justice and Security Dialogues (JSD) program, the Project Officer, based in Casamance, Senegal. (PO) is responsible for monitoring, supporting, and ensuring the quality of the implementation of the JSD process in Senegal, with a particular focus on the Southern and Eastern regions. The Project Officer reports to the Senior Project Officer, who will be responsible for the overall strategic direction of JSD activities, ensuring quality implementation, monitoring and reporting, capacity building with relevant national stakeholders, as well as training, mentoring and coaching of the Project Officer, when necessary.
The main objective of the JSD Dialogues process is to improve local and national security by building trust and collaboration between communities and security services. It brings together a diverse range of community actors, local authorities and security force personnel who jointly conduct a diagnosis and analysis of the pressing security challenges in their locality and agree on actions they can take together to address them.
The Project Officer will be responsible for supporting project partners in direct implementation, continuously developing relationships with institutional and local stakeholders; and implementation, monitoring and reporting on the activities and results of the JSD project in Senegal.
The position is based in the locality of Ziguinchor (Casamance), with travel to the interior of the country and frequently in the southern and eastern part. The position will also work in collaboration with the JSD Program Coordinator and USIP colleagues at Headquarters.
This is a full-time term Personal Services Contractor position for a host-country national in Casamance, Senegal. The contract can be renewed pending good performance, funding, and business needs.
Job Brief:
• Support and guide, in close collaboration with the implementing partner, the implementation of JSD activities in Senegal, in the southern and eastern regions of the country in particular.
• Work with the implementing partner to ensure that activities are implemented on time.
• Coordinate the organization of operational meetings, dialogues, trainings and other activities as required.
• Review all technical and financial reports from the implementing partner, provide guidance as required, and liaise with the Senior Project Officer to ensure that all required documents are submitted in a timely manner.
• In close consultation with the Senior Project Officer, continuously develop relationships with national and regional institutional stakeholders.
• Provide regular detailed updates on JSD activities to the Senior Project Officer and ensure proper monitoring of project activities.
• Prepare reports to support the development of quarterly reports and other updates
• Support the Senior Project Officer and Program Coordinator in the development of reports, strategic directions or policy analysis, as required.
• Be available to carry out recurring missions within the country, as required.
• Maintain good relations with administrative and local authorities of the project areas.
• Maintain the register of project contacts, correspondence and project documents.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in political science, international affairs, conflict resolution, law, social sciences or development) or related field.
• At least four (4) years of relevant work experience and demonstrated experience in project management
• Strong interest and experience in innovative programming.
• Experience in participatory planning in the context of implementing community activities is a plus
• Proven experience in supporting and building the capacity of local organizations is desirable;
• A good knowledge (communities, organizations, etc.) of the southern and/or eastern parts of Senegal, from Ziguinchor to Kédougou, desirable.
• Proven experience and knowledge of security issues in Senegal and particularly the southern and/or eastern part of the country would be an asset;
• Experience working in collaboration with Security Forces would be an asset.
• Proven experience in project management or organization of activities in the South or East of Senegal is desirable.
• Demonstrated project management, research, and problem-solving skills. Able to write effectively in a variety of formats and for a variety of audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Experience in facilitating and organizing senior level meetings.
• Experience in participatory planning as part of the implementation of community activities desirable.
• Proven experience in supporting and building capacity of local organizations a plus.
• Proficiency in at least two local languages would be an asset (Manding, Diola, Pulaar, Wolof).
• Proficiency in English and French and have very good writing skills in French.
All USIP contract and employee positions are contingent upon the favorable completion of a suitability background investigation.
To be considered for this position, please submit a complete application package consisting of:
• Completed employment application including titles, dates of hire and salary requirements.
• Cover letter
• Resume
Only those applicants that are selected for further discussions will be contacted.
No Phone Calls. Interviews will be scheduled by appointment only.
USIP is an equal opportunity employer. USIP does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit-based factors.
More Information
- Job City Casamance
