Deputy Country Representative & Chief Operations Officer positions

The Asia Foundation is currently seeking two exceptional leaders to join its operations in Kabul, Afghanistan: a Deputy Country Representative and a Chief Operations Officer.

Deputy Country Representative position:

Under the direction of the Country Representative (CR), the Deputy Country Representative (DCR) provides leadership support and is responsible for assisting the CR in managing the Foundation’s work in Afghanistan, including security, administration, fiscal management, and grant management; the direction, supervision, and evaluation of employees, and the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of program activities as assigned. The DCR also assists the CR in representing the Foundation with host government, donors, partner agencies, diplomatic missions, national and international institutions, and the media. 

The DCR will be part of the “Office of the Country Representative” (OCR) leadership team and as such will participate in all activities related to the OCR:  strategic planning, budgeting, crisis management, government relations, and representation as required.

More specifically, the DCR will have oversight responsibility for our entire portfolio of Women’s programs ($25 million); and Education programs ($12 million).  The DCR will have ultimate responsibility for these programs from “concept to closeout.”  The Director of our “Women’s Empowerment & Development” practice and the Director of our “Education” practice will report directly to the DCR.

The DCR is expected to:

• Provide oversight, leadership, coaching, and guidance to our program Directors on all issues related to the smooth operation and implementation of their projects.

• Meet regularly with the Program Directors to:

§     Review progress against schedules and plans

§     Review progress on deliverables

§     Review budget status

§     Review and provide guidance on issues and risks as needed

§     Assist with managing donor relationships

• Assist and guide the Program Directors as they develop program new concepts and proposals.
• Provide “thought” leadership and strategic direction to our women’s and education programming.

This position is on a three year contract which may be extended based on mutual agreement.  As with all positions at The Asia Foundation employment is at "will."

REQUIREMENTS

Experience:

A minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible professional experience, or the equivalent, in international development or foreign affairs in Asia with private, public, bi-lateral or multi-lateral development institutions and non-profit organizations. Experience in proposal and report writing, financial and grants management and budget control, strategic planning, fundraising and managing international donor-funded projects.

Education:

A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; a post-graduate degree is preferred.

Skills:

Strong Program Management, team-building, representational and diplomatic skills. Ability to maintain strategic focus while supervising a large and complex program funded by multiple funders. Demonstrated management skills and experience in the supervision of multi-national and multi-disciplinary staff teams; strong analytical and problem solving skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking experience; proven interpersonal and intercultural skills, including flexibility and sensitivity.

Preferred:

Knowledge of and professional experience in Afghanistan.   Background or technical proficiency in one or more of the following fields: women’s affairs and development, education, international development practice, political science, law, social sciences, public policy, public administration, international relations, economics, foreign affairs and Asian Studies.

Chief Operations Officer position:

Under the direction of the Country Representative (CR), Chief Operations Officer (COO) provides leadership and oversight to all of the Foundation’s day-to-day operations in Afghanistan, excluding programs, finance, and security.  The COO will have oversight responsibility for the following operational functions:  general administration, transportation, property, human resources, IT services, and government compliance reporting.  It is expected that the COO will also design and lead an operational performance improvement program that will focus on service delivery and efficiency. 

The COO will be part of the “Office of the Country Representative” (OCR) leadership team and as such will participate in all activities related to the OCR:  strategic planning, budgeting, crisis management, government relations, and representation as required.

This position is on a three year contract which may be extended based on mutual agreement.  As with all positions at The Asia Foundation employment is at "will."

REQUIREMENTS

Experience:

A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible management experience of large organization operations in the field of international development.

Education:

A Bachelor’s degree in relevant field; a post-graduate degree is preferred. 

Skills:

Strong Management, team-building, and diplomatic skills. Ability to maintain strategic focus while supervising a large and complex operation.  Demonstrated management skills and experience in the supervision of multi-national and multi-disciplinary staff teams; strong analytical and problem solving skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking experience; proven interpersonal and intercultural skills, including flexibility and sensitivity.  The COO will need experience in organizational and operational improvement, e.g. work process redesign.  Experience managing:  HR, Administration, Transportation, Property, Government Compliance, and IT services.
 

Preferred:

Knowledge of and professional experience in Afghanistan.

See Above

TO APPLY

 The Asia Foundation offers excellent benefits and salary commensurate with experience. To apply for either position please visit our website at www.asiafoundation.org/about/employment/ and select “Regular Employment.”

Please place your cover letter and resume in one document and submit it as an attachment.  We will only consider applicants who apply online and provide a cover letter along with their resume.  In addition, to be considered an applicant must submit their application prior to the deadline of February 15, 2013.

The Asia Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. EOE/M/F/D/V. No phone calls, please.