Project Director, Myanmar

Job Description

World Learning, a global non-profit organization, (www.worldlearning.org) seeks a Director for its “Institute for Political and Civic Engagement (IPACE)” project based in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma). Duration: Initial contract until September 30, 2016 with additional one or more year extension (pending funding). Anticipated start date: April 1, 2016. Please transmit CV and cover letter (in English) with the post title on the subject line explaining why you are best qualified for this position by February 15, 2016. Only finalist candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

Summary:

The IPACE Director will provide leadership and direction for the implementation of all project components and ensure that all proposed project objectives and targets are achieved. S/he will manage local and expatriate staff and consultants, oversee the creation and implementation of performance management and work plans, provide reports to the donor, maintain effective relations and coordination with all project stakeholders and serve as primary in-country liaison with the donor. S/he will be a skilled and experienced manager of democracy or capacity building programs with a background in training. The Director also supports World Learning’s new business development efforts in country, represents the organization in meetings with stakeholders and partners when needed, and plays a limited coordinating role with other on ground initiatives.

iPACE was established in September 2012 at the U.S. Embassy’s American Center in Yangon to develop a series of courses that model democratic behavior and at the same time provide academically nuanced, timely and expert-level content to promote the principles and practices of democracy, based upon needs articulated by political parties, civil society and labor activists. To date IPACE has trained nearly 1,000 participants through more than 20 courses addressing topics related to peacebuilding, advocacy, voter education, civic education, democratic transition, organizational development, and other subjects. IPACE reaches many more individuals through regular networking events and an active online presence. Its alumni represent 32 different political parties, seven labor unions, and more than 400 different organizations that include CSOs, media, religious organizations, student unions, women’s groups, and other civic institutions. IPACE alumni come from all of Myanmar’s states and divisions and reflect the country’s diversity regarding ethnicity, religion, gender, disability status, and LGBT status.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Lead IPACE implementation and strategy development;
• Ensure that project deliverables are met and are of high quality;
• Serve as primary point of contact with the U.S. Embassy as well as World Learning’s primary liaison to other donors and partner organizations in Burma;
• Supervise team of local and expatriate field staff and consultants;
• Write required project implementation and status reports;
• Oversee recruitment of local participants/students;
• Oversee training for local participants;
• Support local trainer preparation and training;
• Create and implement performance management plans;
• Manage field budget;
• Directly manage the creation of curriculum and design of IPACE courses and supervise and participate in course implementation;
• Serve, as needed, as trainer on selected courses;
• Keep abreast of Myanmar’s changing operating environment (including political developments) as they effect the project and World Learning’s Myanmar portfolio.
• Support new business development and provide occasional oversight and coordination of new in country initiatives as needed;
• Actively participate in project and portfolio-oriented outreach and project education efforts (blogs, tweets, webinars, etc.).

Required Qualifications:

• Five to seven years of international development project management experience related to civil society strengthening, civic education, conflict resolution/peacebuilding, democratic development, advocacy, human rights, or related subjects;
• Familiarity with U.S. State Department, USAID, or other international donor rules and regulations;
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate effective working relationships with government officials, civil society leaders, political activists, development actors, media, and other stakeholders;
• Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs, Public Administration, Political Science, Conflict Resolution/Peacebuilding, or related field; master’s degree preferred
• Experience facilitating and conducting training;
• Strong organizational skills, responsive, detail-oriented;
• Ability to work independently without close supervision, to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and to work with personnel of varying backgrounds;
• Evidence of interpersonal/intercultural skills and sensitivity;
• Commitment to inclusive development programming that brings to bear the talents of women, youth, minorities, people with disabilities, LGBT persons, and traditionally marginalized groups;
• Excellent English language oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to work successfully in a challenging operational environment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with teacher training and course/class management;
• Familiarity with experiential learning approaches;
• Prior work experience in countries undergoing political transition;
• Prior experience in Burma or Southeast Asia;
• Burmese language capacity very helpful, but not required.

How to apply: Interested persons should apply by 4pm Monday, February 15, 2016. To apply, go to http://www.worldlearning.org/connect/employment/. Open the job posting of your choice and click the “Apply” button. The system will guide you on how to register and submit your application. While WL would like to graciously thank all applicants for their interest and responses, only applicants who meet all requisite criteria and are shortlisted will be contacted. No phone calls please. Thank you.

About the Organization

World Learning is an 83-year-old global non-profit organization with operations in 77 countries. Through its award-winning international education programs – The Experiment in International Living, the SIT Graduate Institute, SIT Study Abroad and the International Honors Program (IHP) – World Learning fosters global citizenship by connecting over 3,000 young ambassadors annually across cultural differences and social barriers. Through its International Development & Exchange Programs, World Learning practices what it teaches, undertaking community-driven international development, training and exchange projects in sixteen countries. For more information visit www.worldlearning.org