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Jefferson Consulting Group

USAID Zimbabwe Democrracy & Governance Advisor

Jefferson Consulting Group, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022


Job Description

Grade-level Equivalent:

~GS 14 Clearance Requirement:

Secret Period of Performance (o/a):

100 days FTE base term; extension possible Place of Performance:

Harare, Zimbabwe Telework Designation:

Situational (up to 2 days/week) Expected Travel:

No TDY travel outside of Harare expected BACKGROUND: Zimbabwe was once one of southern Africa's most vibrant, productive, and resilient countries. However, over the past two decades, a series of political and economic crises have led to a general decline in the standard of living and a breakdown in public health, education, and infrastructure. USAID/Zimbabwe's Democracy and Governance (DG) Office provides technical leadership to deliver technical assistance in the democracy, rights, and governance (DRG) sector. The support includes the protection and promotion of democratic governance to prevent continued backsliding in political and economic conditions; protect and build capacity for civic participation; election monitoring and observation; implementation of the country's 2013 constitution; promotion of accountability, inclusion of vulnerable or marginalized populations in democratic processes; and training and organizing of communities to improve social cohesion and address trauma caused by political violence. The DG Office also supports the development of Mission DRG strategies, implementation of Mission's CDCS, and designs and manages program implementation and evaluation. The Zimbabwe DG team seeks a DG Advisor to provide support for the Democracy and Governance team. As a critical member of the DG team, the advisor, under the guidance of the DG Office Director, will provide advisory and technical support for the DG office, will work closely with development objective (DO) integration teams to implement Mission CDCS objectives, and with interagency colleagues to identify opportunities for USAID/Zimbabwe to support positive democratic processes. Support will also involve designing activities responding to identified opportunities; working with partners to effectively implement activities and monitor and report on the impact of those activities; and will perform other associated technical and advisory assistance for the Mission. The DG advisor will work closely with other technical offices during reviews of strategies, policy documents, and resource allocation issues. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Support the DG Office Director or acting DG Office Director in the absence of the Director. Support oversight of thematic assessments or program evaluations and operationalization of DRG Assessment and other context evaluations to inform current activity implementation, new designs, and/or new strategy development. Lead and/or contribute to design of new activities/programs. Participate in internal, interagency, and/or Washington discussions on the direction of DG portfolio and development policy for the Mission. Support coordination efforts with interagency, implementing partners, and international donors. Advise and support USAID and/or DG leadership in high-level interagency and Washington meetings. Provide soft mentorship for FSO and FSN staff. Take up Activity Manager duties for assigned DG portfolio activities, which may include accountability, parliamentary strengthening, elections & political processes, or social cohesion workstreams. Develop relationships with government partners, NGOs, academic institutions, and other stakeholders interested in the DG country portfolio. KEY DELIVERABLES: Complete two solicitations for 1) Local Governance and 2) Social Cohesion by May 2025. The Advisor will also provide technical guidance to design teams to build capacity for future designs. Provide technical advice and finalize the DG portfolio's Theory of Change and Strategic approach to be used to improve the quality of results achieved under existing and future awards. Mentor 6 current DG FSN and USDH staff in award management and compliance with agency rules and regulations on activity results' reporting. KNOWLEDGE SKILLS, EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Required: Education: Master's degree in social sciences, international development, political science, international relations, law, or other relevant fields involving democracy, human rights, and governance with seven years of professional experience in providing technical assistance, implementing, managing, analyzing and/or evaluating democracy and governance programs in developing countries is required or a bachelor's degree with ten years of experience. Language Proficiency: Fluency in English language is required. In-depth knowledge and understanding of development theory and programmatic best practice in one or a combination of the following fields: democracy and governance, anti-corruption, elections, civil society, local development, justice and rule of law, local governance, independent media, digital safeguarding, and public administration. The incumbent must demonstrate advanced knowledge in understanding the economic, social, cultural, and political characteristics of development and democratic governance. Expert knowledge in activity design, program management, monitoring and evaluation related to democracy and governance. Demonstrated knowledge in managerial and administrative areas, related to project teams and development activity management. Technical, analytical, and managerial abilities (project and staff) combined with excellent interpersonal, diplomatic, and leadership skills. Advanced capacity to work successfully in a fast-paced environment and capable of handling tasks with varying deadlines. Excellent English writing and editing skills, as well as ability to provide cohesive oral presentations around complex issues in an understandable manner. Demonstrated skills in coordinating and collaborating between teams, offices, and or units within a larger organization. Proficiency in the use of MS Office suite, Gmail, and Google suite.

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