Senior Democracy and Governance Advisor

Job Description

STATEMENT OF DUTIES

On April 15, 2023, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid support Forces waged war against each other, thrusting Sudan into a heavily armed conflict, which continues a year later. The ongoing war has led to one of the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophes with over 24.8 million people in need of assistance, widespread displacement of more than 6.3 million, and untold suffering and atrocities inflicted on tens of millions of Sudanese.

USAID/Sudan has adapted a hybrid structure with eight American staff positions in Nairobi (Kenya), one in Cairo, and FSNs predominantly in Nairobi, Cairo, and Kampala. In a fluid operating environment and with staff dispersed, the temporary platform in Nairobi serves as a core operational center, signaling USAID’s sustained commitment to Sudan, ensures proximity to partners located in Nairobi, and enhances whole-of-Agency coordination across programs that focus on humanitarian, transition initiative, democracy and governance, and improving resilient livelihoods against economic, environmental and social shocks.

Recognizing the extreme challenges of this moment but also recognizing the critical importance of supporting Sudanese democratic civic actors, and in line with both U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, the USAID/Sudan is the leading donor in Sudan and works closely with the interagency to help shape the U.S. policy approach.

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract:

The Democracy and Governance Office (DGO) portfolio provides urgently needed support to high-level civilian political process, community peacebuilding, civil society strengthening, women and youth leadership, conflict management, trauma awareness and psychosocial support, and human rights documentation.

The DGO designs, implements, and monitors programs across this diverse sector and coordinates closely with USAID/Washington, USAID/Sudan teams including the Office of Transitional Initiatives (OTI), Office of Sudan Affairs (OSA) Pol/Econ officers and the international donor community. DGO engages extensively with implementing partners, key Sudanese interlocutors, civil society, independent media, and civilian political leaders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Applications will be initially screened by the Human Resources Office to determine whether applicants have met the advertised minimum qualifications. A list of qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring office for further consideration and screening.

• Education: A Master’s degree in political science or social sciences plus 7 years of experience working in democratic development including proven international experience developing or managing elections and political processes activities in insecure contexts OR A Master’s Degree in political science, public policy, law or international relations, or a law degree, plus five years of experience working in democratic development including proven international experience developing or managing elections and political processes activities in insecure environments.
• Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent) English is required. Ability to read and speak at a professional level in English on the core programmatic areas is required and will be tested. Some exposure or familiarity with Arabic would be considered highly but is not required.
• Technical and Professional Experience: At least 10 years of professional experience working in the field of democratic development on behalf of an international organization, the U.S. government, a non-government organization or private sector entity working in the international context. Of those 10 years of experience in the field of democratic development in the international context, the candidate should possess at least 7 years of experience developing, managing, or implementing elections and political processes activities OR human rights OR civil society engagement OR peace building OR rule of law/access to justice or similar related specific technical area of a DG portfolio.. In determining whether the 10-year requirement is met, a combination of private sector and public sector development experience will be considered.
• Skills and Abilities: Day-to-day experience managing USG-funded contracts and grants. Experience managing and/or working successfully with teams. Strong written and oral communication skills, presentation skills, and excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a small team and international colleagues.
• The ability to obtain a Secret level security and medical clearances required for the position

DEADLINE
16 October 2024