Back Deputy Chief of Party, The Gambia

Freedom House promotes the spread of freedom and democracy around the world through research, advocacy, and programs that support frontline activists. We are a leader in identifying threats to freedom through our highly regarded analytic reports, including Freedom in the World, Freedom of the Press, Freedom on the Net, and Nations in Transit.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Freedom House's Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will work closely with the Chief of Party (COP) to oversee a five-year program to support civil society to exercise and promote their civil and political rights in a safe and secure manner, as well as strengthen the justice sector’s ability to secure these rights. Freedom House is a partner of the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA-ROLI), who will be the prime implementer of the project. The DCOP will report to both the COP and to Freedom House's Washington, DC-based Director for Africa Programs. The DCOP is responsible for leading the component of the program focusing on civil society and media support, including program strategy design and implementation, financial management, staff supervision, management of program partner relationships, communications, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. This position is based in Banjul, The Gambia.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management:

· Build and manage successful working relationships with consortium partners and local and international partners throughout The Gambia;

· Manage a team of Banjul-based staff to successfully execute the program; and

· Oversee the financial management and operations of Freedom House’s program budget, including quality, cost, timeliness of performance of all work performed under the program, and compliance with donor regulations.

Program Design and Implementation:

· Alongside the COP, co-lead the continued development and execution of this program to achieve defined objectives in collaboration with consortium partners and local and international partners throughout The Gambia, and USAID;

· Develop and implement program activities that build civil society capacity to conduct effective advocacy initiatives, and support media in conducting ethical and insightful reporting;

· Manage monitoring and evaluation processes by ensuring high quality data collection, verification and analysis;

· Report fully and regularly in written format on activities;

· Continually adapt to the changing political realities by modifying/adjusting the program activities as needed; and

· Support staff to implement activities.

Other:

· Network and liaise with government representatives, civil society organizations, international and regional bodies, and others as appropriate;

· Required to travel extensively to project sites within The Gambia and occasionally within the region and to the U.S.; and

· Other related duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

· Master’s degree in international development, rule of law, public policy, political science, public administration, human rights, communications, or other relevant field preferred.

Experience:

· At least 8 years of experience in civil society, advocacy, human rights or independent media programs; senior-level experience in the design, implementation, and management of development programs preferred;

· Experience managing USG grants preferred;

· Demonstrated experience working with Gambian civil society and knowledge of Gambian political and social trends;

· Experience working with Gambian independent media preferred;

· Demonstrated track record of program management tackling complex problems, mitigating risks, and adapting to challenging and evolving contexts;

· Experience designing, facilitating, or managing trainings; and

· Experience with advocacy initiatives and/or experience engaging with the government of The Gambia to address social issues, fundamental freedoms, or human rights.

Skills:

· Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required;

· Demonstrated leadership skills and experience in building and maintaining productive working relationships with a wide network of institutional partners and stakeholders, including host governments, civil society partners, the media, program partners, and donors;

· Experience in challenging environments and flexibility to apply lessons learned from other contexts;

· Strong organizational and time management skills;

· Knowledge of USAID rules and regulations, and approaches to media and civil society development, strongly preferred;

· Demonstrated financial management experience including preparing and managing budgets, contracts, and negotiations, and subgrant management;

· Demonstrated ability to effectively manage a diverse team of employees; and

· Ability to use productivity software such as MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint; and Microsoft Excel.

PRIMARY CONTACTS:

· Internal: U.S. and Gambia-based employees at Freedom House and ABA

· External: Local partners, USAID, U.S. Embassy, Government of The Gambia, consultants, other implementers, media, vendors, members of the general public, etc.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

· General working office environment in Banjul, The Gambia;

· Some evening and weekend hours to complete tasks or attend events;

· Travel within West Africa and occasional travel to the U.S.;

· Exposed to outside weather conditions when required to complete assigned tasks outside the office; and

· May involve work in regions that are remote and lack basic modern infrastructure, and in regions under U.S. travel advisory due to threats of terrorist attacks, civil unrest, kidnappings, disease outbreaks, etc.