Programme Manager, Gabon

Context

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – International IDEA – is an Inter-Governmental Organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. The Institute acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing global comparative knowledge resources and tools, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests, specifically in electoral processes, constitution building processes, political participation and representation, democracy and climate change, and democracy and digitalization.

International IDEA is planning to manage a programme on Support to a participatory, inclusive and human rights-based return to a sustainable constitutional order and institutional reform processes in Gabon (DEMGAB).

The Programme Manager will be responsible for the implementation of the programme, in coordination with the Senior Programme Officer Constitutional Building Process (CBP) of the International IDEA’s Africa and West Asia Regional Office. The incumbent will provide support to the planning, implementation, quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting of all related activities of the programme, as identified in the Description of Action and in annual workplans, ensuring compliance with both donor (s) and International IDEA’s regulations, ensuring coherence of the overall project.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Support the planning, implementation, quality assurance, and monitoring and reporting of all project activities as identified in the Project Document and annual workplans, ensuring compliance with donor and International IDEA regulations and coherence of the overall project;
2. Supports management of the overall design, development and production of the project’s knowledge resources and tools such as online digital resource/repository, e-learning tools, databases, parliamentary primers, thematic briefs and publications; conceptualizes and provides technical expertise;
3. Maintains regular communication with the donor; Provides substantive inputs in the preparation of the project’s progress reports and presentations to the donor and International IDEA;
4. Ensures that a rights-based approach and a gender and diversity perspective are integrated in project planning and implementation of activities;
5. Manages the project’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and supervises both the designated evaluator and the M&E officer in accordance with the M&E plan outlined in the project document, responding to donors needs and aligned with International IDEA’s M&E results framework;
6. Liaises and works in cooperation and coordination with other areas of work within International Regional and IDEA’s Global programmes, as well as with the donor, boundary partners and other relevant partners and stakeholders;
7. Supports the overall project risk management and actively manages risk as outlined in the project document’s risk analysis and mitigation measures in line with organizational policies and procedures;
8. Is accountable for project finances and grant management, and ensures that financial planning supports the delivery of project results and demonstrates value for money;
9. Represents International IDEA at relevant coordination meetings;
10. Oversees the project risk assessment and management, actively manages risks and regularly updates the risk management strategy in line with International IDEA policies and procedures;
11. Manages and empowers a team of technical staff, fostering a spirit of collaboration, support and team cohesion; encourages their professional development, particularly in the areas of monitoring and reporting.

General Profile

• Combines in-depth knowledge, acquired through post-graduate academic achievements, excellent skills including managerial skills and relevant experience in their field;
• Leads assigned teams (including staff members and consultants) and projects with authority throughout the project life cycle; leads meetings and discussions;
• Has the intellectual leadership to integrate innovation into his/her field of expertise;
• Fosters team-based activities in his/her unit; collaborates with other entities of the Institute;
• Acts as a model and mentor for colleagues;
• Is expected to travel globally to any geographical area involved in his/her projects;
• Leads visibility initiatives for projects according to donor requirements;
• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;
• Acts in accordance with International IDEA’s Core Values; Respect, Integrity and Professionalism;
• Integrates a gender and diversity perspective in all activities.

Reporting line

• Director, Africa and West Asia Region.

Education and Experience

• Post graduate degree in Law, Social Science, Political Science, Development Studies or other relevant discipline;
• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in project management and capacity building, in the area of support to transitional and institutional reform processes in African countries;
• Experience working with the Gabon Government at highest levels in supporting Transition to democratic dispensation – particularly the, the Constitutional Revision process, the electoral reform process, political party reform, the National Assembly and the Senate and Media Regulators is essential;
• Good working knowledge and practical experience with Ministries and institutions in charge of constitutional and institutional reform processes in Africa and Gabon;
• Minimum three (3) years’ experience in the management of project teams;
• Experience in the development and production of various knowledge resources and tools for parliaments, Governments and/or democracy and governance is essential;
• Experience in programming, monitoring and evaluation approaches and procedures is essential;
• Experience with EU funded projects and requirements, as well as familiarity with their processes and systems is essential;
• Relevant experience from an international and/or regional organization in the work of democracy assistance would be considered an asset;
• Knowledge and working experience on mainstreaming gender in governance and democracy and parliamentary support would be considered an advantage;
• Fluency in written and oral in French and English is required. Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region (Spanish) would be an asset.

Terms of Contract:

• This post is advertised subject to the confirmation of funding
• International Post
• Fixed term appointment untill 31 May 2026
• Remuneration – EUR 6 018 NET per month + benefits

Applying for this position:

• Applications should be submitted no later than 23:59 (CEST) 20 August 2024.
• Please note that all applications must be made in English.

Selection Process:

• Evaluation of qualified candidates will include a written test assessment and up to two (2) interviews.
• Candidates selected to proceed to the next stage of the process will be contacted once all applications have been carefully reviewed.
• All candidates will be notified on the status of their application via email once the process has been finalized

International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality