Country Representative
THE ASIA FOUNDATION
POSITION DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Country Representative
UNIT: Afghanistan
SUPERVISOR: Vice President, Field Operations
SUPERVISES: National, international employees and consultants
GRADE:
SUMMARY OF POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
The Country Representative is the senior most Foundation employee in Afghanistan and accountable for all Foundation programs, operations and external relations in accordance with Foundation strategies and policy guidelines. The Representative provides overall leadership and is responsible for managing all aspects of the Foundation’s work in Afghanistan, including security, administration, fiscal management, and grant management; the direction, supervision, and evaluation of employees; fundraising and the diversification of donor support; the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of program activities. The Representative represents The Asia Foundation with host government, donors, partner agencies, diplomatic missions, national and international institutions, and the media.
RELATIONSHIPS
Internal
Daily direction and supervision of national and international employees; regular direction of consultants; occasional contact with interns and external Foundation contractors.
Frequent contact with the Vice President and Directors of Field Operations. Regular contact with Foundation Representatives and Deputy Representatives in Asia, the Executive Vice President, Vice President and Program unit Directors including Themes and Public Sector Development Services, Vice President and Resource Development unit staff, Vice President and Partners in Asian Development staff, Vice President and Washington, D.C. office staff, Director and Communications unit staff, Chief Financial Officer and financial services staff, and the Manager and Human Resources unit staff.
Occasional contact with the Foundation President and Board of Trustees members.
External
Frequent contact with senior host government officials, heads of agencies, national and international partners and grantees in Afghanistan.
Regular contact with senior members of bi-lateral and multi-lateral development assistance agencies, private sector and individual donors, senior personnel in key diplomatic missions, national and international NGO directors and staff, professional associations, academic and national institutions, national and international media.
REQUIREMENTS
Experience
Minimum ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in international development in Asia or in conflict afflicted countries with private, public, bi-lateral or multi-lateral development institutions and non-profit organizations. Proven track record in program development and fundraising from public sector donors. Experience in proposal and report writing, financial and grants management and budget control, strategic planning, fundraising and managing international donor-funded projects.
Education
Masters degree or Doctorate degree in a field related to Foundation programs.
Skills
Strong team building, representational and diplomacy skills. Demonstrated management skills and experience supervising multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams; strong analytical and problem solving skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking experience; proven interpersonal and intercultural skills and ability to work in a highly political environment.
Preferred
Living and working experience in Asia. Knowledge of Dari and/or Pushto language desirable. Background or technical proficiency in one or more of the following fields: political science, law, social sciences, public policy, public administration, international relations, women’s education/development, economics, foreign affairs and Asian Studies.
POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES
Program Development and Management
• Tracks and analyzes updated information on socio-economic, political and foreign policy dynamics and trends in Afghanistan.
• Leads the development of an integrated country strategy in compliance with the Foundation’s thematic, program, operational and financial strategies and priorities.
• Develops and ensures timely submission of annual plans and reports; responsible for achievement of objectives; leads program design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Assures the quality, impact/scale and cost-effectiveness of the country program through a combination of grants, technical assistance, and direct Foundation implemented activities.
.
• Develops and implements pro-active fundraising strategies and plans to diversity funding sources and achieve program and management objectives; prepares proposals in accordance with Foundation and donor protocols and guidelines.
• Mobilizes in-country, regional and international technical expertise and resources from Foundation staff and external consultants as required for program development, implementation and evaluation.
• Develops and submits timely reports as required; maintains, updates and ensures the availability of accurate program information, documentation and publications as necessary.
Financial Management and Administration
• Develops project budgets, the fiscal year country budget and spending projections; ensures that budgets and spending projections are kept up-to-date and relevant; ensures expenditures are within approved budgets and that spending targets are met.
• Ensures compliance with all grant and contract requirements, and related regulations and procedures.
• Meets all due diligence requirements of sub-grants and sub-contracts.
• Ensures compliance with all financial and accounting procedures; prepares and submits timely financial reports to the Foundation and donors as required. Promotes financial accountability and transparency.
• Establishes administrative, grant management and financial policies and practices within established Foundation requirements; ensures proper systems are in place for the controls of all assets, funds, equipment, property, and facilities.
Supervision and Staff Development
• Oversees the recruitment, orientation, training, supervision and promotion of international and national staff, consultants and interns.
• Establishes and maintains transparent personnel management, benefits and compensation policies and practices in accordance with Foundation policies and local labor laws.
• Oversees staff performance evaluation and planning systems and process; identifies opportunities for the professional development of national and international staff.
• Designs and implements an effective staff hierarchy and organizational structure consistent with Foundation policies and commensurate with scale and scope of program and operational requirements.
Representation
• Establishes and maintains effective, professional and senior level relationships with the host government, national institutions, program partners, development assistance agencies, donors, diplomatic missions, national and international NGOs, professional associations, academic and national institutions.
• Establishes and maintains constructive public relations in Afghanistan; ensures professional standard of Foundation facilities; assures positive profile through media coverage of programs and events.
• Participates in meetings and events to enhance public awareness of the Foundation and to expand the Foundation's professional network and access to relevant information.
• Prepares articles, written materials and documentation for publication; contributes to scholarly or development community knowledge about Afghanistan, development programs, issues or trends.
• Participates in Foundation meetings and other relevant professional forums and events.
Other
• Oversees and ensures safety and security of Foundation staff and facilities; raises staff safety awareness, undertakes risk assessments, and develops and implements crisis management plans in accordance with Foundation protocols.
• Participates in Foundation-led initiatives, task-forces, committees and strategic planning processes.
• Provides support as warranted to other Foundation offices in program development, proposal writing, representation or other activities.
• Undertakes other duties as assigned.
Apply at https://hostedjobs.openhire.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.jobinfo&jobid=282957&company_id=15793