International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is recruiting to fill the following positions:

1.) Country Director
2.) Deputy Country Director

See job details and how to apply below.

1.) Country Director

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.

The greatest assets of IFES are our team members. IFES offers competitive benefits and pay, as well as the opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment. Every member of the IFES team is responsible for carrying out the mission of IFES and integrating IFES values into their work every day: Commitment to Excellence, Effective Communication, High Quality Decision-Making, Accountability, Teamwork and Collaboration.

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:

IFES is recruiting for a Country Director (CD) for the anticipated USAID ELECT 2.0 program in Sierra Leone. The CD serves as IFES' primary in-country representative and coordinator of programming with local and international actors. The primary focus of the position is ensuring successful completion of the program and providing technical assistance to national partners to advance program objectives. The CD will provide vision and technical leadership for program implementation and oversee management of the IFES country office in Freetown. The CD will be responsible for building and maintaining pro-active contacts with national stakeholders and the international community.

The CD will oversee a program to strengthen the accountability, transparency, integrity, and inclusive practices of Sierra Leone's electoral administration working with government agencies, election management bodies (EMBs), political parties, the judiciary, and civil society organizations. Contingent on funding

, this position will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, beginning in January 2025.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical direction and program implementation

•  Serve as senior electoral advisor to build institutional and technical capacity and facilitate reform priorities for the Implementation Steering Committee towards the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) and other electoral-related bodies .
•  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 program's annual workplans in fulfillment of strategic objectives and goals, and within the allocated budget.
•  Monitor and evaluate strategies and interventions on an ongoing basis to ensure maximum impact, proactively identifying appropriate next steps and collaborating with IFES technical experts and program management personnel.
•  Apply knowledge of international election standards to advise on reform efforts. Facilitate consensus-building and provide advice on laws, 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 national government and non-government stakeholders, including high-level officials in government ministries and election management bodies, international NGOs and the donor/diplomatic community to ensure successful implementation of the program and avoid duplication of efforts.
•  Represent IFES in global, regional, national and sub-national events, in international forums, and at donor meetings as speaker and spokesperson for IFES.
•  Assist in new business development for IFES in West 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 for Africa at IFES HQ.

Management

•  Oversee the day-to-day management of IFES' program, consortium, and office in Sierra Leone. Monitor progress and direct resources as needed to meet program objectives.
•  Ensure, in conjunction with IFES HQ, compliance with IFES and donor rules and regulations, particularly with respect to fiscal management.
•  In coordination with IFES HQ, oversee the recruitment and hiring of country office staff, as well as local and international technical consultants. eX4oMgv C0zkId
•  Provide general supervision and mentoring of local and international field staff, including performance appraisals, staff development and other management issues.
•  Provide oversight and management of technical consultants, service providers, and subawards.
•  Perform other duties as assigned by the Regional Director for Africa at IFES HQ.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree in law, international politics/relations, international development, public policy, or related field preferred.

Experience:

•  Minimum of 12 years of experience working in democracy and governance field, with significant

experience working on elections in a variety of African contexts; experience in Sierra Leone preferred.

•  At least seven (7) years of international program management, including direct supervision of professional and support staff.
•  Demonstrated experience and skills in capacity building, election management and operations, and electoral legal framework development.
•  Demonstrated experience developing effective working relationships with host governments, including leadership and technical staff.
•  Demonstrated knowledge of USAID and other donor rules, regulations and program management.
•  Strong track record 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 integrating and mainstreaming gender and inclusion considerations in electoral processes.

Related Knowledge and Skills

Demonstrated ability to manage programs in a politically sensitive and challenging environment. Ability to promote and inspire effective collaboration among 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 partners and 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 West Africa. Knowledge of the political environment and players in Sierra Leone.?

Language Skills

•  Fluency in English (written and spoken).

Travel

•  In-country travel required 25% of the time.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT / WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards, walk short distances and climb stairs. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

APPLY

2.) Deputy Country Director

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:

IFES is seeking a Deputy Country Director (DCD) for the anticipated USAID ELECT 2.0 program in Sierra Leone. The primary focus of the position is overseeing general operations and program implementation by the IFES country office, under the direction of the Country Director.

The DCD will oversee a program to strengthen the accountability, transparency, integrity, and inclusive practices of Sierra Leone's electoral administration working with government agencies, election management bodies (EMBs), political parties, the judiciary, and civil society organizations. Contingent on funding, this position will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, beginning in January 2025.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

•  Support the Country Director in overseeing country office operations, program implementation, human resources, administration, finance, security and donor reporting.?
•  Assist the Country Director and the program team to ensure timely execution of project activities within allocated budgets, including the strategic development, implementation and monitoring of program activities in accordance with the annual workplans and monitoring and evaluation plans of IFES Sierra Leone.?
•  Oversee human resources together with the Country Director, provide general supervision and mentoring of local field staff, including ensuring completion of annual performance appraisals, supporting staff development and other management issues.?
•  Support the management of country office operations, including procurement processes, financial management, and security protocols as per IFES and donor policies, rules, regulations and IFES' branding and marking plan.
•  Support the Country Director in oversight of fiscal management of projects, including approval of country office expenses within approval thresholds, oversight of required financial documentation and control measures, and regular evaluation of spending and burn rates.
•  Ensure review and timely completion of periodic programmatic reporting including regular internal reports, mission updates, and performance reports to the donor (quarterly, annual, final). Ensure that the reports adhere to IFES and donor requirements.?
•  Oversee specific project activities as directed by the Country Director, providing technical input as per areas of expertise.?
•  In consultation with IFES headquarters, l ead annual workplan development. Evaluate strategies and activities on an ongoing basis to ensure maximum impact, proactively identifying appropriate next steps. Maintain program schedules and operational matrixes.?
•  Support the Country Director to oversee the management of sub-grants to civil society partners.??
•  Develop and maintain excellent relationships with key national and international stakeholders, in particular the office of Chief Minister, Steering Committee, civil society organizations, donors and diplomatic community, and IFES Sierra Leone program partners.?
•  Liaise with other election assistance implementers, and the donor and diplomatic community, to coordinate activities and maximize the impact of collective technical assistance efforts;? eX4oOg0 C0zkId
•  Act as the IFES country representative in the absence of the Country Director.?
•  Lead business development efforts in collaboration with the Country Director, including mapping concepts for new programming, tracking donor priorities, informing donors of programming needs, and strategizing for new and existing stakeholder engagement.?
•  Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Country Director.??

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree in law, international politics/relations, international development, public policy, or related field preferred.

Experience:

•  Minimum of 10 years of project management experience, ideally in the field of democracy, elections, governance, rule of law, or conflict management, working with an international organization or donor agency.
•  Demonstrated knowledge of the electoral cycle and all technical aspects of the electoral process.
•  Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with USAID rules, regulations and program cycle.
•  Strong track record of proposal and report writing, activity planning and implementation, and management of budgets.
•  Previous experience working in international organizations, including in a country office context and in a politically sensitive and challenging environment.
•  Experience in program start-up and close-out and general program operations, including procurement, event planning, and budget management.
•  Experience establishing or improving office processes and procedures in adherence to rules and policies from headquarters.
•  Successful track record supervising staff and leading teams.
•  Highly organized individual able to anticipate needs and handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines.

Related Knowledge and Skills

Ability to show initiative, good judgment, and resourcefulness.? Ability to initiate, conceptualize and complete complex tasks with limited supervision. Strong project management and process improvement skills. Excellent writing and reporting skills. Ability to promote and inspire effective collaboration among 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 partners and stakeholders. Experience living and managing governance and/or elections projects in Africa preferred. Knowledge of the political environment and players in Sierra Leone.?

Language Skills

•  Fluency in English (written and spoken)

Travel

•  In-country regional travel required 25% of the time.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT / WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards, walk short distances and climb stairs. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

APPLY