The Organization 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 individuals, organizations, and governments deal 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 39 offices in 26 countries, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.
SFCG is starting a USAID-funded program in the South of Kyrgyztan (Osh region) entitled Engaging young reporters and community leaders in early warning and conflict prevention in Kyrgyzstan’s South. SFCG is partnering with Youth of Osh, a local civil society organization, to work on conflict-sensitive reporting and early warning analysis in order to foster inter-ethnic dialogue and improve understanding and management of instability trends.
Summary of Position The Project Manager will be based in Osh, within Youth of Osh’s offices, and report to SFCG Vice President of International Development/Europe Director, and is an integral member of the country programme. S/he will work closely with the Project Director (Executive Director of Youth of Osh). S/he will be responsible for the timely implementation of the activities in the new project, building an action team of partners and staff and measuring the impact of the results of the project.
Responsibilities Organizational Development and Implementation • Establish an action team for implementation of the project - building partnerships with key partners in the project and staff members • Ensure the work planning with the action team, implementation and reporting of the activities in respect of the project to support the program • Manage the various partnerships • Work with the Project Director to build appropriate strategy for the rollout of the project • Work closely with the International Development team in Washington DC and the European Office in Brussels • Establish good working relations with relevant stakeholders for the effective implementation of the project including government offices and officials at federal, state and local level, media partners, etc. • Develop and maintain proactive, positive, and professional relationships with partner organizations, other NGOS, donors, clients, politicians, key government officials, civil society groups, media professionals, etc. • Implement, in coordination with the finance/admin officer administrative and financial systems for the execution of the project • Maintain regular written and oral reporting to the Project Director and VP International Development on key country, regional, program, security and staff issues • Maintain responsible media coverage, as per USAID’s contract, of program events and issues in the region related to SFCG mission and the project
Administration • Establishing, managing and evaluating an operational team • Ensure the implementation of project on-time and within budget • Ensure compliance with SFCG Operations Manual policies and procedures • Establish and maintain updated security and evacuation plans • Oversee the management of grants and budgets, ensuring timely grant reporting and compliance with contract and donor guidelines • In collaboration with the Youth of Osh Finance and Accounting Manager, manage and report the finances of the office, establishing and monitoring a system of checks and balances to ensure the program’s financial stability and viability within annual operating budget • Be the focal point with regard to organization-wide institutional learning and design, monitoring and evaluation policies
The Project Manager will work with the VP of International Development and the European Office team to establish strategic priorities for SFCG in Kyrgyzstan, including defining program priorities, plans and long-term strategy within the overall Europe region vision and goals. With these priorities, collaboration will be expected to:
• Identify and assess current and existing conflict management and prevention initiatives in Kyrgyzstan and the relevant actors and stakeholders • Identify local partners and target communities, and seek their input through individual meetings and planning sessions • Establish SFCG’s vision and specific objectives for Kyrgyzstan to contribute to the potetntial wider Kyrgyzstan country program, including identifying tools and methodology • Be directly engaged in the continuing development of the organization, 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.
Minimum Qualifications * Post graduate degree in social sciences or related field * At least five (5) years of experience in peace-building, development and/or related fields, including democracy and governance issues and peacebuilding media * Proven ability to negotiate multiple relationships with various stakeholders * Demonstrated financial management and program administration experience particularly with USAID grants * Demonstrated budgeting, proposal writing, and grants management skills * Dynamic leader with creative problem-solving skills, particularly in challenging situations * Knowledge of major donor rules and regulations, and the ability to manage multi-donor funding * Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to build and conduct effective professional working relationships at all levels, both internally and externally * Spoken and written fluency in English and Russian. Knowledge of Kyrgyz and Uzbek languages a plus. * Strong oral and written communications skills * Cultural sensitivity and adaptability * Experience living and working overseas, preferably in Eurasia * Entrepreneurial spirit * Experience with creative conflict resolution practice
Salary: Commensurate with experience and education, with excellent benefits
SFCG is starting a USAID-funded program in the South of Kyrgyztan (Osh region) entitled Engaging young reporters and community leaders in early warning and conflict prevention in Kyrgyzstan’s South. SFCG is partnering with Youth of Osh, a local civil society organization, to work on conflict-sensitive reporting and early warning analysis in order to foster inter-ethnic dialogue and improve understanding and management of instability trends.
Summary of Position The Project Manager will be based in Osh, within Youth of Osh’s offices, and report to SFCG Vice President of International Development/Europe Director, and is an integral member of the country programme. S/he will work closely with the Project Director (Executive Director of Youth of Osh). S/he will be responsible for the timely implementation of the activities in the new project, building an action team of partners and staff and measuring the impact of the results of the project.
Responsibilities Organizational Development and Implementation • Establish an action team for implementation of the project - building partnerships with key partners in the project and staff members • Ensure the work planning with the action team, implementation and reporting of the activities in respect of the project to support the program • Manage the various partnerships • Work with the Project Director to build appropriate strategy for the rollout of the project • Work closely with the International Development team in Washington DC and the European Office in Brussels • Establish good working relations with relevant stakeholders for the effective implementation of the project including government offices and officials at federal, state and local level, media partners, etc. • Develop and maintain proactive, positive, and professional relationships with partner organizations, other NGOS, donors, clients, politicians, key government officials, civil society groups, media professionals, etc. • Implement, in coordination with the finance/admin officer administrative and financial systems for the execution of the project • Maintain regular written and oral reporting to the Project Director and VP International Development on key country, regional, program, security and staff issues • Maintain responsible media coverage, as per USAID’s contract, of program events and issues in the region related to SFCG mission and the project
Administration • Establishing, managing and evaluating an operational team • Ensure the implementation of project on-time and within budget • Ensure compliance with SFCG Operations Manual policies and procedures • Establish and maintain updated security and evacuation plans • Oversee the management of grants and budgets, ensuring timely grant reporting and compliance with contract and donor guidelines • In collaboration with the Youth of Osh Finance and Accounting Manager, manage and report the finances of the office, establishing and monitoring a system of checks and balances to ensure the program’s financial stability and viability within annual operating budget • Be the focal point with regard to organization-wide institutional learning and design, monitoring and evaluation policies
The Project Manager will work with the VP of International Development and the European Office team to establish strategic priorities for SFCG in Kyrgyzstan, including defining program priorities, plans and long-term strategy within the overall Europe region vision and goals. With these priorities, collaboration will be expected to:
• Identify and assess current and existing conflict management and prevention initiatives in Kyrgyzstan and the relevant actors and stakeholders • Identify local partners and target communities, and seek their input through individual meetings and planning sessions • Establish SFCG’s vision and specific objectives for Kyrgyzstan to contribute to the potetntial wider Kyrgyzstan country program, including identifying tools and methodology • Be directly engaged in the continuing development of the organization, 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.
Minimum Qualifications * Post graduate degree in social sciences or related field * At least five (5) years of experience in peace-building, development and/or related fields, including democracy and governance issues and peacebuilding media * Proven ability to negotiate multiple relationships with various stakeholders * Demonstrated financial management and program administration experience particularly with USAID grants * Demonstrated budgeting, proposal writing, and grants management skills * Dynamic leader with creative problem-solving skills, particularly in challenging situations * Knowledge of major donor rules and regulations, and the ability to manage multi-donor funding * Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to build and conduct effective professional working relationships at all levels, both internally and externally * Spoken and written fluency in English and Russian. Knowledge of Kyrgyz and Uzbek languages a plus. * Strong oral and written communications skills * Cultural sensitivity and adaptability * Experience living and working overseas, preferably in Eurasia * Entrepreneurial spirit * Experience with creative conflict resolution practice
Salary: Commensurate with experience and education, with excellent benefits
How to apply:
Please send a cover letter and resume to employment@sfcg.org or fax to +1 (202) 232-6718 with the subject heading: Project Manager – Kyrgyzstan. Please be sure to include minimum salary requirements (in USD) or current salary, projected start date, and to mention where you found this posting. No phone calls please. Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. Please see our web site for full details of our work.
Closing date: 17 Feb 2012
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