Job Description
The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) is seeking to hire a Resident Women’s Political Participation Senior Program Manager to assist with its local governance and political development programs in Afghanistan. The Senior Manager will be based in Kabul, supervised by the Institute’s Resident Director in Afghanistan, and supported by Kabul and Washington, D.C.-based staff. This position is available immediately. A commitment of at least one year is expected for this position.
Background
NDI established an office in Afghanistan in March 2002 and has since conducted programs to support political participation and the development of democratic governance institutions. The Institute has helped to prepare candidates, political parties, polling agents, women and domestic monitors to participate effectively in the country’s 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2010 elections.
From 2006 to 2008, NDI implemented programs to strengthen political processes in the National Assembly. These efforts included support for the Afghan Women’s Parliamentary Network, a grouping initiated by female parliamentarians who later chose to expand its membership to include women from civil society, government ministries, and provincial administrators and councilors. The Network advocated on issues of importance to women and promoted women’s political leadership.
In the lead up to the 2009 provincial council elections and the 2010 parliamentary polls, NDI conducted campaign schools and training sessions for hundreds of female candidates throughout the country. Following the 2010 elections, the Institute ran an orientation program specifically tailored for the newly elected women parliamentarians. NDI also engaged the unsuccessful female candidates in activities to promote their continued participation in Afghan public life.
At the local level, NDI works with the country’s 34 provincial councils in strengthening the capacity of local government to address citizen needs and function effectively in the country’s development processes. This work is implemented through the Institute’s seven regional offices in Afghanistan – in Balkh, Herat, Kandahar, Khost, Kunduz and Nangarhar as well as its primary office in Kabul. Currently, NDI’s programs are funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
In the coming months, NDI plans to offer follow-on programs to assist the newly elected representatives as well as broadly support women’s participation in politics and governance at the national and provincial level.
Background
NDI established an office in Afghanistan in March 2002 and has since conducted programs to support political participation and the development of democratic governance institutions. The Institute has helped to prepare candidates, political parties, polling agents, women and domestic monitors to participate effectively in the country’s 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2010 elections.
From 2006 to 2008, NDI implemented programs to strengthen political processes in the National Assembly. These efforts included support for the Afghan Women’s Parliamentary Network, a grouping initiated by female parliamentarians who later chose to expand its membership to include women from civil society, government ministries, and provincial administrators and councilors. The Network advocated on issues of importance to women and promoted women’s political leadership.
In the lead up to the 2009 provincial council elections and the 2010 parliamentary polls, NDI conducted campaign schools and training sessions for hundreds of female candidates throughout the country. Following the 2010 elections, the Institute ran an orientation program specifically tailored for the newly elected women parliamentarians. NDI also engaged the unsuccessful female candidates in activities to promote their continued participation in Afghan public life.
At the local level, NDI works with the country’s 34 provincial councils in strengthening the capacity of local government to address citizen needs and function effectively in the country’s development processes. This work is implemented through the Institute’s seven regional offices in Afghanistan – in Balkh, Herat, Kandahar, Khost, Kunduz and Nangarhar as well as its primary office in Kabul. Currently, NDI’s programs are funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
In the coming months, NDI plans to offer follow-on programs to assist the newly elected representatives as well as broadly support women’s participation in politics and governance at the national and provincial level.
Required Skills
- Work with the resident director and senior staff to increase the participation of women within NDI’s political development and sub-national governance assistance programs – such efforts would include assistance to female provincial councils and parliamentarians;
- Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with program stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, government and election authorities, civil society groups and members of the international community working on women’s participation programs;
- Provide technical assistance to elected representatives and political parties on approaches to increase women’s participation in Afghan political life;
- Facilitate information and skills exchange among networks of women political leaders, political party members, civil society leaders and international resource persons;
- Coordinate training activities, workshops and other events, including the preparation of modules and training materials as well as the coordination of travel, accommodations and other logistical needs;
- Draft reports to NDI Washington that detail program activities and monitor and measure program results and political developments; and
- Manage and reconcile program expenses.
Required Experience
- A minimum of ten (10) years of experience working on women’s political participation issues in the field of democracy and governance, either through work with political parties, governance or civic groups;
- Bachelors degree required. Graduate degree in law, public policy, international relations, political science or related field preferred;
- Experience living and working in an international setting required; prior experience in conflict or post-conflict settings strongly preferred.
- Experience in results-oriented program design, strategic planning, and program evaluation;
- Experience in organizing and facilitating individual and group consultations and communicating skills and experience to others as a trainer, advisor, or consultant;
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, and policy-makers;
- Proven experience managing staff members and promoting staff development in a multi-cultural work environment;
- High degree of organization and initiative;
- Proven capacity to meet program goals while managing financial, administrative, and security responsibilities;Superior oral and written communications skills to effectively present information in a clear and persuasive manner in English; knowledge of Dari and/or Pashtu a plus;
- Exceptional analytical skills for interpreting complex program and political issues;
- Experience in implementing large USAID-funded international development programs strongly preferred; and
- Working knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheet applications.
Job Location
Kabul, AFGHANISTAN
