Country: Senegal
Closing date: 01 Feb 2016
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Local Governance Specialist, Senegal Governance for Local Development (GOLD) Project
Effective with the release of this position announcement, Winrock International is recruiting applicants for the position of Local Governance Specialist (LGS) for the anticipated USAID-funded Senegal GOLD Project. The proposed objectives of the project are to improve local government performance & transparency, increase engagement/oversight for accountable government and strengthen the enabling environment for decentralization.
The responsibilities, duties, and qualifications are described in the attached position description. Position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding.
GENERAL:
Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources. By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock is increasing long-term productivity, equity, and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged of the world.
SALARY:
The annual salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits.
APPLICATIONS:
Applicants should go to the ‘Jobs’ link at www.winrock.org and submit a current resume and cover letter referencing Senegal GOLDLocal Governance Specialist by February 1, 2016**.** Qualified Senegal nationals, and other nationalities, especially those residing in West Africa, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Winrock would like to thank all applicants for their interest but only candidates who meet all requisite criteria and are short listed will be contacted.
EEOE/AA.
Position Description
POSITION TITLE: Local Governance Specialist, Senegal GOLD Project
LOCATION: Senegal
DEPARTMENT: Civil Society & Education
REPORTS TO: Chief of Party, Senegal GOLD Project
Position Summary:
The Local Governance Specialist (LGS) will be responsible for providing technical leadership to a high-quality, results-oriented program focused on improving local government performance & transparency, increasing engagement/oversight for accountable government and strengthening the enabling environment for decentralization. Position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Local Governance Specialist is responsible for the quality of the design and delivery of the project’s capacity development and advocacy activities. S/he will work closely with local governments and civil society partners to strengthen community engagement with local government and improve participation of communities in decision making, management and monitoring of local service delivery providers.
Lead coordination with private sector, government, media and CSOs to encourage public participation and citizen engagement in decision making, planning, implementation and monitoring of local government policies and programs, particularly those concerned with service delivery.
Strategize and implement methods of expanding districts’ own-source revenue (such as local taxes and fees) and coordinate trainings and workshops to increase the capacity of local governments to implement such methods.
Lead the process to provide capacity development and technical assistance to key local implementing partners in line with USAID Forward policy objectives.
Propose and oversee other administrative and logistical aspects related to capacity development and advocacy activities.
Represent the project and Winrock to donors, local and national government entities, the media, local NGOs, and the local business community.
Oversee grants program to establish a fund that identifies and finances small-scale infrastructure or development activities, such as market space improvements or key community needs, to help the local government improve service delivery and/or strengthen economic growth.
Manage design and implementation of technical and organizational trainings targeted at increasing the capacity of local CSO’s to demand better local government transparency and service delivery. Concurrently implement methods of leveraging and strengthening VDCs and ADCs in planning, oversight and communication with citizens.
Facilitate coordination of planning between the districts and USAID activities and support the Mission in its engagements with the local governments where required.
Oversee accounting, financial management, and ICT skill trainings for local government financial staff.
Contribute to program monitoring, evaluating, and periodic reporting.
Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Successful candidates will have strong management skills as well as salient experience implementing education programs, preferably in Senegal/West Africa. Specific experience and specialization in the areas of local government performance and transparency, capacity building, public finance and oversight, private sector engagement, and small-scale infrastructure projects is strongly desired. Significant project management experience and leadership is highly desired.
Education: Master’s level degree required in public policy, international development, sociology, political science, or a relevant social science discipline.
Technical Applicants must have a minimum of 7 years’ experience providing support to local government and to civil society advocacy capacity building, including a minimum of 3 years’ of demonstrated managerial and/or team leadership experience.
Experience in the West/South Africa region is required, and Senegal strongly preferred.
Work
Experience:
Substantial demonstrated experience in providing capacity development and technical assistance to local governments through measurable competency based approaches.
Proven experience building capacity of CSOs for greater advocacy and government accountability.
Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability and the ability to perform and collaborate under challenging conditions.
Ability to train and develop capacity in field staff.
Strong planning, community mobilization and inter-cultural communication skills required.
Experience working on a USAID-funded or other donor project pertaining to technical and organization capacity development.
Previous experience liaising with local and regional governments.
Skills/
Knowledge:
Knowledge or understanding of social, economic, and political context governing local governance policy issues in developing countries.
Experience providing support to teacher trainings, early grade reading programs, and local organization capacity building.
Knowledge of US Government regulations, policies, and procedures or those of an equivalently complex international government funding organization.
Knowledge of USAID and specific understanding of the USAID Democracy, Human Rights and Governance Strategy and development goals under the Senegal Country Development Cooperation Strategy is desirable.
Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills, creative problem solving, conflict, and ethical management skills.
Fluency in English and French is required.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Computer literate in word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software (Microsoft).
How to apply:
Applicants should go to the ‘Jobs’ link at www.winrock.org and submit a current resume and cover letter referencing Senegal GOLDLocal Governance Specialist by February 1, 2016**.** Qualified Senegal nationals, and other nationalities, especially those residing in West Africa, are strongly encouraged to apply.