ABOUT IREX:  

IREX is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to building a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world by empowering youth, cultivating leaders, strengthening institutions, and extending access to quality education and information. Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of over $140 million, work in more than 100 countries worldwide with offices in over 20 countries, and a global staff of over 600.  

POSITION SUMMARY:  

IREX seeks a qualified Chief of Party (COP) candidate to lead the five-year Strengthening Civic Engagement project in Kazakhstan. The new activity is guided by the following goal: to cultivate independent and effective civil society to achieve more expansive rights for the citizens of Kazakhstan. The project has three objectives: (1) Strengthen public engagement through collective action to advance Kazakhstan’s reform priorities.  (2) Support civil society to apply innovative solutions to help people claim their fundamental rights. (3) Enhance the regulatory environment to allow civil society to maximize their contributions to society.  

Based in Almaty or Astana, the COP will be responsible for technical leadership, administrative oversight, and overall coordination of the activity. S/he will serve as the principal institutional liaison with USAID and key stakeholders. S/he will manage staff and ensure the project achieves stated goal and results and meets reporting requirements. The COP will also ensure the quality and timeliness of all products and interventions generated under the project. 

Citizens or residents of Kazakhstan are strongly encouraged to apply.  This position is contingent on project award. 

• Provides strategic and technical leadership to the program and staff, deploying innovative and adaptive program management that engages a wide range of stakeholders while effectively meeting project objectives 

• Provides strategic and technical leadership for the design and implementation of activities in: youth engagement and leadership development, collective action, CSO engagement, capacity building, governance and accountability, advocacy, human rights, public engagement 

• Oversees the provision of technical assistance and grants management for local partners, including the development of capacity-building tools and tracking systems as needed 

• Serve as the project’s principal liaison with USAID/Central Asia, and key partners and civil society stakeholders in Kazakhstan 

• Develops workplans through participatory and collaborative processes, oversees workplan implementation, responsively adapts to changes and lessons learned throughout implementation  

• Develops and maintains effective partnerships for the successful implementation of the project with Government of Kazakhstan, USAID, CSO, and implementing partner stakeholders 

• Ensures activities are implemented on schedule and within the project budget 

• Identifies issues and risks to program implementation in a timely manner and suggests appropriate program adjustments 

• Supervises, manages, and mentors the program’s staff in Kazakhstan, in close coordination with IREX’s home office 

• Oversees monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of program activities; promotes a culture of learning and adaptation across the program and partners 

• Oversees project communications and represents the project publicly 

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• An advanced degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, International Development or a related field. Master’s degree is preferred but not required.  

• At least 10 years of progressive experience in managing and leading development programs of a similar size and scope in Kazakhstan with a focus in the areas of governance, democracy, civil society strengthening and human rights. 

• Demonstrated leadership and skills in strategic thinking and planning, operational and financial management, conflict mitigation and negotiation, communications.   

• Demonstrated ability to track and manage budgets and plan both strategically and creatively to meet project objectives. 

• Demonstrated ability to develop and foster relationships with local partners and counterparts in Kazakhstan. 

• Broad knowledge of and networks with the international donor and diplomatic community in Kazakhstan. 

• Commitment to inclusive programming that encourages full participation of individual regardless of gender, disability status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or other marginalized status 

• Proven leadership qualities and excellent management skills, strong interpersonal and organizational skills 

• Professional fluency in English is required. Ability to speak Russian and/or Kazakh is preferred. 

• Kazakhstan citizenship or residency with work authorization strongly preferred.