Program Officer - Anglophone West Africa

Program Officer - Anglophone West Africa Location: District of Columbia Division: Program Management Status: DC-Based Full Time Position Number: 11:068

Project Description: IFES currently manages and implements programs across sub-Saharan Africa. Initiatives include, but are not limited to, technical electoral assistance, women and youth participation, and civic and voter education. Programs require close coordination and partnerships with local electoral authorities, local NGOs, international organizations, and regional advocacy groups. The Program Officer position will manage IFES projects in Anglophone West Africa, as well as development initiatives for activities in other countries throughout the region as necessary.

Job Responsibilities: • Serves as primary interface with Country Director(s) and local staff to implement projects. Achieves project requirements within budget, established time frame, standards of quality, and funder satisfaction. • Prepares budgets and approves field expense reports. Responsible for financial oversight of projects in partnership with Finance team. • Oversees procurement processes conducted through DC office in partnership with Procurement team. • Establishes, maintains, and develops productive working relationship with field staff, subordinates, and consultants at large. • Represents IFES at offsite venues for the purpose of business development and information dissemination. • Employs resourcefulness in project design, implementation and monitoring. • Trouble shoots project problems. Identifies and implements creative solutions. • Monitors pending grant/contract actions and coordinates timely action and response. • Travels to field office on a regular basis to oversee and monitor project activities. • Participates in proposal development/new initiative process. • Serves as team supervisor. Provides professional developmental opportunities for junior program staff. Evaluates performance of program associates and program coordinators. •Offers input into performance of Country Directors to Program Manager or other evaluator. • Works with HR to source and recruit critical talent. • Works with Procurement to ensure timely acquisition and delivery of commodities. • Coordinates assembly of monthly/quarterly reports.

Qualifications: • BS/BA [Masters preferred] ideally with 5+ years experience in international development or related field. • Experience working on Africa programs a plus • Experienced with budget management and oversight of large projects • Program design and project management experience. • Knowledgeable and experienced with USAID grant and contract proposals, regulations, and procedures. • Experienced proposal writer. • Proficient with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word.

To Apply: You must go to http://www.ifes.org/ to the Careers section and apply online. Applications are only accepted in this way. Make sure you upload all papers together (ie. cover letter and application, etc.).

Closing date: 31 May 2011 — International Foundation for Election Systems