Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Reporting to: Team Leader Europe and Central Asia
Line Manage: Project Coordinator – Central Asia, Admin and Finance Officer TBA – Central Asia, any other Central Asia staff that may be recruited
Key Relationships: Head of Europe and Central Asia, Europe and Central Asia team, Policy & Advocacy teams, Saferworld’s regional partners and the Operations team.
Background
Saferworld is an independent non-governmental organisation that works to prevent and reduce violent conflict and promote cooperative approaches to security. We work with civil society, governments and international organisations to encourage and support effective policies and practices through advocacy, research and policy development, and through supporting the actions of others. We engage in over 15 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe/Central Asia.
In Europe and Central Asia, Saferworld’s focus is on the Western Balkans (Kosovo and Bosnia), the Caucasus (Georgia, Abkhazia); and Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) with links to previous engagement in Ukraine, Moldova and Russia.
Purpose
The role of the Programme Manager is to ensure delivery of Saferworld's planned programme of work in Central Asia including management of partner and donor relationships, financial and grant management, personnel management, high level representation, research and writing, monitoring and evaluation. In addition, the Programme Manager elaborates the strategic framework for the further evolution of Saferworld’s Central Asia Programme, and identifies and pursues opportunities for developing specific programme components and strands.
The Programme deals with politically sensitive issues and is being implemented in a highly changeable context. In this environment, effective programme management also involves planning for and managing a range of expected risks. Finally, the post holder contributes to organisation-wide processes and discussions to advance Saferworld's thematic priorities, methodological approaches and organisational development.
Roles and Responsibilities
In coordination with the Team Leader, Europe and Central Asia team members and relevant Saferworld departments the Programme Manager will:
Strategic planning and programme development
- Lead the development of, manage and implement Saferworld’s Central Asia Programme strategy with reference to Saferworld’s organisation-wide strategy
- Develop new projects and initiatives and identify emerging opportunities
- Identify and develop relationships, ensuring regular engagement and coordination, with key strategic partners in government, security service providers, civil society, media and the international community
- Promote internal lesson-learning within the Europe & Central Asia Team and other Saferworld programmes to ensure effective knowledge management on cross-cutting thematic issues (such as conflict sensitivity, community safety and police reform) and functions (such as capacity building, advocacy, fundraising and communications)
- Contribute to the development of the Europe & Central Asia regional programmes
- Contribute to Saferworld’s wider organisational strategy and development by participating in strategic planning and other cross-organisational processes
Programme management and implementation
- Manage and oversee the Central Asia’s Programme
- Manage and undertake research appropriate to the programme
- Manage the development and implementation of advocacy strategies targeting decision-makers and opinion-shapers in Central Asia and amongst the wider international community
- Ensure monitoring and evaluation of the programme, including through developing M&E plans, indicators and processes
- Lead in the production and delivery of narrative reports for donors
- Ensure Central Asia Programme documentation and effective information management
Representation and advocacy
- Represent Saferworld externally, and promote lessons learnt from Central Asia Programme
- Provide information to Saferworld’s Funding & Communications Team for external communication purposes
- Raise the profile of Saferworld’s work in Central Asia by managing the production and dissemination of appropriate information materials (e.g. publications) in line with Saferworld’s overall publications guidelines and practice
Partnership and people management
- Line manage Central Asia Programme team
- Ensure the development of a security plan for managing risks to Saferworld’s Central Asia programme and staff; act as Security Focal Point for Central Asia in line with Saferworld’s security policy
- Manage external consultants, as needed
- Manage partnerships with local and international partners based on Saferworld’s partnership principles, ensuring effective capacity-building, cross-learning and communication
- Ensure timely and accountable narrative and financial reporting by partners in order to comply with donor requirements
Funding, financial and office management
- Identify new funding opportunities and write funding proposals for Central Asia Programme
- Develop and manage programme budgets and cash-flows in line with Saferworld’s organisational processes
- Manage and monitor overall expenditure on the Central Asia Programme in line with donor requirements and Saferworld’s financial procedures, including authorisation of payments and preparation of fund projections to the London Office, in conjunction with Funding and Finance Teams
- Oversee the financial systems in Saferworld’s Bishkek office ensuring timely and accurate monthly financial reports to London Finance team.
- Verify expenditure by reviewing monthly variance reports produced by the Finance teamReview and ensure, in conjunction with Finance Team, accuracy of financial reports for donors
- Manage Saferworld’s institutional presence in Kyrgyzstan including legal status and office base
Person Specification
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in international relations, political science or a related field. Developed analytical and excellent writing skills.
- Five years experience in a management post (of which at least two years are in a senior capacity), including staff and budgets, preferably in a non-government setting.
- Experience of managing a small office
- Proven ability to undertake planning, programme development and evaluation.
- Good understanding of the discourse on peacebuilding and conflict prevention issues, the regional and sub-regional security structures and agreements, and the international policy environment in which these issues are addressed.
- Good understanding of Central Asia, with experience of working in parts of the region.
- Experience in policy and advocacy work.
- Fundraising and financial management (including reporting to donors).
- High level communication skills, including experience of communicating effectively across cultures and with diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing; excellent written and spoken English; working knowledge of Russian.
- Ability to undertake frequent travel (up to 3 months each year).
- Experience of working with colleagues based in other countries (line-managing and/or reporting to them) is desirable.
- Proven experience of working in partnership with other NGOs and NGO networks desirable.
- Facilitation and training skills desirable.
Terms and Conditions
Location: The position is based in Bishkek with some time spent in London and other countries of the Central Asia region.
Probation: There will be a probationary period of three months.
Salary: Commensurate with experience .
Holidays: There are 28 days holiday a year (Jan-Dec) in addition to relevant national public holidays.
Hours: Standard working week is 37.5 hours a week. However, the demands of the job are likely to be such that a willingness to work longer hours, as required, will be necessary.
Application Process
To apply please email full CV and covering letter, detailing how you meet the selection criteria to Marie Aziz at recruitment@saferworld.org.uk (please use subject heading: Ref: CPM).
Deadline for applications: 4 January 2012.
Telephone interviews are scheduled for the week of 9 January 2012.
Second round interviews in London: week of 16 January 2012.
We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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