Kyrgyzstan: Country Director - Kyrgyzstan / Uzbekistan

Department: Coordination
Position: Country Director - Kyrgyzstan / Uzbekistan
Contract duration: 12 months, renewable
Location: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Starting Date : ASAP

I. Background on ACTED

Since 1993, as an international non-governmental organization, ACTED has been committed to immediate humanitarian relief to support those in urgent need and protect people’s dignity, while co-creating longer term opportunities for sustainable growth and fulfilling people’s potential.

ACTED endeavors to respond to humanitarian crises and build resilience; promote inclusive and sustainable growth; co-construct effective governance and support the building of civil society worldwide by investing in people and their potential.

We go the last kilometer: ACTED’s mission is to save lives and support people in meeting their needs in hard to reach areas. ACTED develops and implements programs that target the most vulnerable amongst populations that have suffered from conflict, natural disaster, or socio-economic hardship. ACTED’s approach looks beyond the immediate emergency towards opportunities for longer term livelihoods reconstruction and sustainable development.

With a budget of 164 million EUR in 2014, ACTED is active in 35 countries and implements more than 450 projects a year reaching over 8 million beneficiaries with 400 international staff and 4,300 national staff.

II. Country Profile

Projects: 15 (2011)
National staff: 184 (2011)
International Staff: 11 (2011)
Capital Office: Bishkek
Total number of direct beneficiaries: 758,095 (2011)
Budget: 7,6 M Euros (2011)

ACTED has been active in Kyrgyzstan since 2000, and operates in the Jalalabat, Osh, Batken, and Naryn regions with a staff of over 150 people. ACTED in Kyrgyzstan contributes to poverty reduction by decreasing the impact of the world recession through adding value to labour migration, improving the food security of vulnerable people, supporting local initiatives for development, reducing the risks to natural disasters to decrease socio-economic damage and resolving cross border conflicts for stable socio-economic development.

In June 2010, a violent crisis broke out in the Ferghana valley, Southern Kyrgyzstan, whereby close to 1,900 houses were burnt and approximately 400,000 people were displaced. Following a year of providing predominantly emergency assistance, 2011 has seen ACTED Kyrgyzstan continue to give emergency aid while also assisting in the recovery phase of the country’s development. This has included involvement in health, education, and economic development – partly concerning food distributions and housing constructions for those whose homes were lost. Throughout, ACTED has supported the humanitarian agencies with REACH – an online interactive mapping tool that incorporates socioeconomic data and highlights potential sources of disputes.

Today, ACTED continues the shift from emergency and reconstruction towards peace-building, conflict mitigation, Disaster Risk Reduction and long term development working with local communities.

III. Position Profile

Under the authority of the General Delegate, the Country Director is responsible for the implementation of ACTED’s global mandate in the relevant country, and for the scope of activities developed within this mandate.

Responsibilities:

1. Ensure ACTED Representation in-Country

Representation vis-à-vis national authorities:
Ensure the official and effective registration of the Agency;
Identify relevant coordinating institutions (Ministries, Agencies etc) ;
Participate in official meetings to ensure maximum visibility vis-à-vis national authorities.

Representation vis-à-vis Donors:
Establish and update contact details of potential Donors in-country;
Participate in Donor meetings and communicate relevant information to HQ;
Circulate the Annual Report.

Representation amongst other international organisations:
Participate in inter-NGO Coordination meetings and those of UN Agencies (OCHA, UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, etc.), and any other relevant inter-governmental institution;
Ensure maximum visibility of the Agency amongst the NGO community;
Lead the production of reports and ensure the timeliness and accuracy of information provided, as well ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information.

1. Develop a global intervention strategy and support its implementation

Analyse the context and develop strategic plans, in consultation with the Director of Operations and/or the General Delegate:
Gather and analyse information regarding opportunities and risk;
Define an operational strategy for finances and HR.

Implement the financial strategy:
Oversee drafting of projects and budget development;
Lead fund-raising and negotiations with Donors;
On authority of the General Delegate, sign contracts negotiated in-country;
Lead the application and adherence to contract terms and requirements;
Supervise overall financial commitments and financial risk.

Implement the operational strategy:
Supervise Area Coordinators and Project Managers in project implementation;
Help the various teams in negotiations with provincial/local authorities and partners;
Ensure global coordination and complementarity amongst projects and areas of intervention;
Assess activities and ensure efficient use of resources.

Oversee reporting procedures:
Develop a reporting schedule with regard to Donor deadlines;
Plan and supervise the development of narrative and financial reports;
Ensure adherence to FLAT procedures.

More generally, communicate systematically to both Director of Operations and HQ the development of the country strategy and its implementation.

1. Oversee Staff and Security

Guide and direct the staff of the mission:
Organise and lead coordination meetings;
Prepare and follow work plans;
Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics (solve out potential conflicts);
Promote team working conditions in the limit of private life;
Adapt the organigramme and ToRs of personnel according to the mission development;
Undertake regular appraisals of directly supervised colleagues and pass appraisal forms to the Country Administrator with recommendations (new positions, changes to contract or salary etc.);
Ensure a building of capacity amongst technical staff in the relevant sectors.

Contribute to the recruitment of expatriate staff:
Follow recruitment procedures: plan recruitment needs in advance; draft ToRs for open vacancies; if necessary undertake phone interviews with candidates;
When requested by HQ, undertake interviews of expatriate candidates living in the country.

Oversee staff security:
In cooperation with the Country Security Officer, monitor the country security situation and inform the HQ Security Officer through regular written reports;
Update the country security guidelines (in countries at risk);
Ensure that security procedures are respected by the whole staff

IV. Qualifications:

• Master Level education in a relevant field such as International Relations or Development
• Extensive project management experience (management, planning, staff development and training skills) in emergency and/or development programmes
• At least four years of previous work experience in a high management position
• Proven capabilities in leadership and management required
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, and flexibility in cultural and organizational terms
• Knowledge of local language and/or regional experience an asset
• Ability to work well and punctually under pressure

V. Conditions:

• Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
• Additional monthly living allowance
• Free food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse/or housing allowance (depending on contract length and country of assignment)
• Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance
• Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package

Please send, in English, your cover letter, CV, and three references to jobs@acted.org

Ref : CD/KYR/SA

For more information, visit us at http://www.acted.org