Niger: OTI Deputy Country Representative

The OTI Deputy Country Representative - Niger is a full-time Personal Services Contract (PSC) position at the GS-13 equivalent level and located in Niger. Applications for this position are due no later than 08/04/2015 at 5:00pm Eastern Time. For full information about this position, as well as instructions on how to apply, please read the entire solicitation at www.OTIjobs.net.

INTRODUCTION:

OTI’s Niger program seeks to further U.S. foreign policy objectives in Niger through support that targets drivers of instability in Niger and the region. Drivers may include, but are not limited to, political and economic exclusion, particularly among youth and marginalized groups, reintegration of returned workers and ex-combatants, the presence of extremist organizations, lack of state presence and/or good governance coupled with a lack of opportunities for political participation. OTI is addressing these critical issues through a flexible, small-grants mechanism that tailors approaches to the varied needs of communities in Niger. The program may utilize both “soft” (e.g. cultural and recreational activities, media and strategic communications) and “hard” (e.g. small-scale infrastructure) activities to strengthen linkages between communities, local actors, and the Nigerien government and to increase community cohesion. The program may also support national level activities, such as elections in 2016 or other emerging transition needs.

The Deputy Country Representative for Niger is a member of the Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA)/OTI Africa Regional Team, and reports to the OTI Country Representative in Niger. The Deputy Country Representative’s principal responsibility will be the development, oversight and management of DCHA/OTI’s Niger country program and is expected to work closely with the implementing partner on grant development. The incumbent will be called upon to represent OTI’s mission and programs to senior-level government officials, in-country visitors, senior officials from other international organizations, bilateral donors and local government officials.

This post is a middle management position requiring excellent managerial and communication skills, an ability to perform in a complex and highly sensitive political environment, experience in policy formulation and negotiation at the highest levels (government and non-government organizations), and a strong interest in assisting countries in transition. The candidate must be mature, self-reliant, a team player, a problem-solver, and able to manage a diverse portfolio of grants. The Deputy Country Representative should have extensive management experience (both project and personnel) and understand the basics of grantee and contractor/USAID relationships. The candidate should be able to communicate effectively with grassroots organizations and their constituencies, national and local government officials, U.S. Government agencies, and clerics or other religious leaders. Since work may require continued changes in program direction and implementation, including frequent coordination, the individual will be someone who is highly flexible and willing to work under conditions of ongoing change.

Familiarity with a wide range of issues is necessary, including community development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy/governance and human rights. Knowledge and understanding of the sub-region is also desirable. Prior work experience with U.S. Government agencies or managing program operations in civil conflicts is preferred. Proficiency in French is not required, but is highly preferred. The successful candidate with possess excellent political analysis and reporting skills and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, responsibility and authority in a highly stressful environment while exercising sound judgment in politically charged and challenging security environments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Represent OTI interests during meetings with USAID Mission personnel, U.S. Embassy staff, host-country government officials, international organizations, indigenous and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international donors, and others interested in DCHA/OTI activities;
• Provide continued guidance on the identification and development of projects that meet OTI funding criteria, further OTI programmatic objectives, and complement other projects and programs implemented by other OTI offices, U.S. Government agencies and donor organizations;
• As requested by embassies or USAID Missions, provide support for the design and execution of programs that follow OTI’s quick-impact programming model. Support to embassies and USAID Missions may include attendance and/or facilitation of program management processes for follow-on programming including rolling assessments, strategy review sessions, program performance reviews, and management reviews;
• Evaluate proposals and grant concepts and work with diverse groups, many of which have not previously had international funding;
• Assist the Country Representative in monitoring the performance of OTI implementing partners in the implementation of OTI-financed activities designed to achieve OTI strategic objectives;
• Travel to monitor and assess political conditions, implementing partner operational platforms, meet with potential grantees, host government and other program counterparts, and develop activity ideas;
• Mentor and train OTI and implementing partner field staff as required;
• Take the lead on collecting information and drafting/editing regular reporting products;
• When required, assume higher representational responsibilities, potentially serving as Acting OTI Country Representative in his/her absence;
• Perform a wide range of administrative functions including budget preparation, financial management, records management, and travel assistance, to help ensure programmatic success;
• Coordinate with the OTI Country Representative to develop an exit strategy that ensures reasonable time to transition from OTI programs to follow-on USAID or other donor programs;
• Communicate regularly and share program information with other USAID project managers, the U.S. Embassy, bilateral donors, United Nations organizations, international organizations, and indigenous and international NGOs to ensure visibility and synergy of USAID/OTI activities;
• Support the Country Representative to ensure the use of OTI systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient management of funds, programming, and monitoring and evaluation;
• When required, report to the OTI Country Representative and OTI/Washington on the status of: 1) grant development and implementation, 2) OTI contractor performance, 3) Foreign Service National (FSN) staff support needs and morale, 4) communication and coordination issues among OTI offices with other U.S. Government entities, 5) security concerns, 6) relations with local partners including local, state and national government representatives, and 7) other pertinent information required to achieve OTI’s program objectives;
• Assist the Country Representative in managing and/or supervising the FSN staff, including program officers, administrative assistants and drivers;
• Supervise staff as delegated by the Country Representative (e.g. Program Managers, Program Assistants, Administrative Program Assistants, etc.). Provide orientation, training, and mentoring for staff supervised; assign work, explain how duties are to be performed to meet expectations, and communicate how the successful performance of those duties will be measured; evaluate staff performance; recognize good performance; communicate where performance needs to be improved; resolve complaints; and approve leave requests and timesheets as well as training, travel, program and operations requests;
• Perform other duties as determined by the supervisor or OTI Regional Team Leader to ensure successful OTI program implementation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

At a minimum, the applicant must have:

• A Master’s Degree with five (5) years of work experience;

OR

A Bachelor’s Degree with seven (7) years of work experience;

AND

• Five (5) years of project management experience with a U.S. Government foreign affairs agency, international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization in community development, economic development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, human rights activities, and/or political analysis;
• One (1) year of overseas field experience working in a developing country, of which six (6) months must include experience working in one or more countries undergoing political transition;
• Six (6) months of supervisory experience (including mentoring, guiding, and training staff).

For full information about this position, as well as instructions on how to apply, please visit www.OTIjobs.net.