Field Office Director

The Carter Center International Election Observation Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Consultant-Field Office Director

Recruitment Notice

The Carter Center is seeking highly-qualified applicants for the position of Field Office Director to manage the Center’s planned observation mission of the DRC’s presidential elections anticipated in November 2011.

To read more about the Carter Center’s work in DRC, please visit: http://www.cartercenter.org/countries/democratic_republic_of_congo.html

Details of Position:

The Field Office Director will serve as the primary representative and liaison of the Carter Center in DRC and will be responsible for designing and managing electoral observation and political monitoring in-country. The consultant will also draft reports and press releases, oversee field office operational management, logistics, and financial administration as necessary.

This independent contract position is initially assigned for 6 months, with possible further extension. The position requires relocation to DRC in June 2011.


Primary Responsibilities:

-- Represent the Carter Center in DRC vis-a-vis government officials, electoral authorities, political party representatives, the international diplomatic and donor community, NGO and civil society leaders, and other key stakeholders.

-- Design and manage the Center’s planned electoral observation activities. Contribute to strategic planning of the electoral observation and political monitoring program in DRC. Manage all aspects of project implementation and strategic workplan.

-- Provide analysis and advice to the Carter Center on the political and electoral environment in DRC, and draft Carter Center press releases and public statements, and project reports as necessary in consultation with Atlanta staff.

-- Oversee logistics for training and deployment of international election observers considering the safety/security issues, relative country-wide representation, communication strategies and other issues.

-- Direct and supervise expatriate staff, local staff, observers and other consultants in conjunction with program management. As needed, oversee daily operations, including equipment rental and acquisition; recruitment, hiring, and capacity building of local staff members.

-- Allocate field office project funds in accordance with budget limitations and donor contract regulations. Supervise field office financial reporting to ensure appropriate management and monitoring of field office operational funds.

-- Other program design and implementation duties, as needed.

Financial Compensation:
Salary is commensurate with experience. Costs associated with international travel as well as accommodation, transport and communications in DRC are undertaken by the Carter Center.

Qualifications:
Required:
• Applicants should have a minimum of 5 to 7 years of senior level experience implementing election monitoring missions, democracy and governance or human rights programming
• Knowledge of program design and demonstrated management experience
• Professional level proficiency French and English (knowledge of or other languages indigenous to DRC welcome).
• Strong writing/communication skills and competence with technology.
• A positive attitude and the ability to work effectively in leading a diverse team

Ideal candidates will possess some or all of the following qualifications:
• Prior professional experience in Africa.
• Ability to live in difficult conditions, perform under stress, and maintain professionalism.
• Strong program and personnel management skills, and an ability to work effectively leading a diverse team.


Please send cover letter, CV, contract requirements, and list of references to:

Jennifer Russi
Assistant Project Coordinator-Democratic Republic of Congo
The Carter Center
453 Freedom Parkway
Atlanta, Georgia 30307
jrussi@emory.edu
404.614.3776

Note: Because this is an international election observation project, Congolese nationals are NOT eligible to serve in this position. Additionally, due to the large volume of applicants, only those candidates selected for an interview or additional consideration will be notified by the Center.

The Carter Center conducts international election observation in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and Code of Conduct for International Election Observers.