idealist.org

Country Director – Timor-Leste

Based in Dili, Timor-Leste
(with significant travel to other districts)

Job Description / Announcement

The Organization
Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC, SFCG’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. SFCG seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities. With a total of approximately 400 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 28 offices in 20 countries, including in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the United States and nine African countries.

Project
In early 2010, SFCG will begin implementing a Youth Radio for Peacebuilding project, to promote community reconciliation, and strengthen civil society capacity in Timor-Leste. The project aims to promote the participation of youth through the innovative use of media – radio, in particular – as an accessible tool to facilitate meaningful people to people participation in peace-building and reconciliation processes. In addition, it will provide youth with a mechanism to explore issues of common concern in a constructive solutions-oriented way while increasing understanding and responsiveness to their needs and perspectives. The project will directly involve Timorese youth from all 13 districts who will participate in all aspects of the radio production, as well as a number of stakeholders, including the government, who will benefit from information about the needs of youth, which they can consider in strategizing Timor’s social reintegration and peace building.

Summary of Position
The Country Director will take responsibility for the start up of the program and overall management and direction of SFCG-Timor-Leste, including the fundraising for and launch of new projects, the development of strategy, and the coordination of the day-to-day activities of the program. This position reports to the Vice President for International Development, collaborating closely with the Institutional Learning Team, the International Development Support Team, and SFCG thematic programming such as Common Ground Productions (CGP), as well as liaising with other programs in Asia. This position is based in Dili. It involves significant travel to all 13 districts.

Responsibilities
•Open an administrative office in Dili and launch a project focused on youth and peace building;
•Manage the strategic direction of the program, and establish new directions with changing times, in consultation with the International Development team and Senior Management;
•Oversee the establishment and management of SFCG-Timor-Leste’s individual projects;
•Take responsibility for the financial management and health of the SFCG-Timor-Leste program, including budget setting, financial reporting, and budget monitoring in consultation with the HQ Finance team;
•Fundraise, manage existing and cultivate future donor relationships in consultation with the International Development team in DC and Brussels, the Vice President of International Development, and other members of Senior Management;
•Recruit, manage and evaluate SFCG’s program and project staff in Timor-Leste;
•Oversee ongoing capacity-strengthening efforts for staff members, particularly in areas of program and budget management;
•Monitor and evaluate the results achieved by the different projects and the program as a whole;
•Develop and maintain relationships with institutions and organizations at all levels (i.e. government, international and donor communities, private sector, partner radio stations and other media actors, traditional leaders, civil society and church representatives, etc.);
•Oversee project activities, including training, radio production, and outreach events;
•Ensure compliance with USAID regulations for project activities and expenses, as well as those of the partner(s);
•Conduct proposal and report writing; and
•Engage directly in the continuing development of the organization, its mission and its staff, through the sharing of experience and knowledge, working in close collaboration with SFCG’s Institutional Learning Team.

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications
•At least five (5) years of experience in peace-building, development and/or related fields, including democracy and governance issues and civil society strengthening;
•Experience with budgeting, project development, proposal and report writing, and grants management;
•Bachelor’s Degree in a related area required;
•Significant experience in project management;
•Demonstrated financial management and program administration experience;
•Successful experience managing a team and programs in the field of conflict resolution, international development or related fields;
•Written and oral proficiency in the English language, as well as fluency in Tetum. Some knowledge of Portuguese desirable, as well;
•Dynamic leader with creative problem-solving approach to challenging situations;
•Knowledge of donor rules and regulations, and the ability to manage multi-donor funding;
•Excellent managerial skills, interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional working relationships;
•Experience in successfully using the media for social change;
•Experience in setting up and managing monitoring systems and initiating regular evaluations of the program;
•Ability to work with people at all levels, from high-level officials to community leaders;
•A team spirit and sense of humor; and
•Exceptional communication, interpersonal skills, and entrepreneurial spirit.

To Apply: Please send a cover letter and current resume to employment@sfcg.org or fax to 001 (202) 572-6287 with the subject heading: Country Director – Timor-Leste. Please be sure to include salary requirements (in currency figures) or current salary, projected start date, and to mention you found this posting on Idealist. Position is open until filled. No phone calls please. Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. See our web site www.sfcg.org for full details of our work.