To Apply: Please send a cover letter and current resume to employment(at)sfcg.org or fax to (202) 572-6287 with the subject heading: Country Director-Madagascar.
Please be sure to include salary requirements (in currency figures) or current salary, projected start date, and to mention where you found this posting. Position is open until filled. No phone calls please. Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. Please see our web site www.sfcg.org for full details of our work.
SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND
Based in Antananarivo, Madagascar
Job Description / Announcement
The Organization
Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and a European office in Brussels, Belgium, SFCG's mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. SFCG seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities. With a total of approximately 400 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 39 offices in 24 countries, including Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the United States and Africa.
Project
SFCG is planning to start up a country programme in Madagascar. As in other countries, SFCG-Madagascar intends to work with local partners to find culturally appropriate means to strengthen societies' capacity to deal with conflicts constructively. Using innovative tools and working at different levels of society, SFCG engages in a pragmatic, long-term process of conflict transformation. SFCG's toolbox includes media production - radio, TV, film and print - mediation and facilitation, training, community organizing, sports, music and participatory theatre. SFCG's approach focuses on opening space for dialogue and action between parties in conflict to engage them in cooperative problem-solving processes. To operationalize this approach, SFCG integrates media and community-based activities and provides opportunities to turn conceptual knowledge into practical skills.We promote both individual and institutional change and are committed to measuring the results of our work and increasing our effectiveness through monitoring and facilitated learning.
Summary of Position
The Country Director will take responsibility for the start up of a project based on radio for peacebuilding approaches and be responsible for the overall management and direction of SFCG-Madagascar, including developing a strategy, fundraising and launching new projects, , and the coordination of the day-to-day activities of the program. This position reports to the Africa Director, collaborating closely with the Institutional Learning Team, the Africa Support Team, and SFCG thematic programming such as Common Ground Productions (CGP), as well as liaising with other programs in Africa. This position is based in Antananarivo.
Responsibilities
• Open an office in Antananarivo and launch the project based on radio for peacebuilding approaches;
• Pursue registration with the Government of Madagascar;
• Develop a short-term strategy and fundraise for project and programme funding;
• Manage the strategic direction of the programme, and establish new directions with changing times, in consultation with the Africa Director and Senior Management;
• Oversee the establishment and management of individual projects;
• Take responsibility for the financial management and health of the SFCG-Madagascar programme, including budget setting, financial reporting, and budget monitoring in consultation with the HQ Finance team;
• Recruit, manage and evaluate SFCG's programme and project staff in Madagascar;
• Oversee ongoing capacity-building efforts in national staff members particularly in areas of programme and budget management;
• Monitor and evaluate the results achieved by the different projects and the programme as a whole;
• Develop and maintain relationships with institutions and organisations at all levels (i.e. government, the international and donor communities, the private sector, partner radio stations and other media actors, traditional leaders, civil society and church representatives, etc.);
• Oversee the project activities, including training, participatory theatre, and other outreach events;
• Ensure compliance with donor regulations for project activities and expenses as well as those of the partner(s);
• Manage existing and cultivate future donor relationships in consultation with the Africa Director, the Vice President of International Development, and Senior Management;
• Conduct proposal and report writing; and
• Engage directly in the continuing development of the organisation, its mission and its staff, through the sharing of experience and knowledge, working in close collaboration with SFCG's Institutional Learning Team.
As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
Minimum Qualifications
Essential:
• At least five (5) years of experience in peace-building, development and/or related fields, including democracy and governance issues and civil society strengthening;
• Bachelor's Degree in a related area required;
• Experience with budgeting, project development, proposal and report writing, and grants management;
• Demonstrated financial management and program administration experience;
• Successful experience managing a team and programs in the field of conflict resolution, international development or related fields;
• Written and oral proficiency in both English and French languages;
• Dynamic leader with creative problem-solving approach to challenging situations;
• Knowledge of major donor rules and regulations, and the ability to manage multi-donor funding;
• Excellent managerial skills, interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional working relationships;
• Experience in successfully using the media for social change and particularly radio;
• Experience in setting up and managing monitoring systems and initiating regular evaluations of the program;
• Cross-cultural experience and sensitivity; experience of living and working in developing countries;
• Ability to work with people at all levels, ranging from high-level officials to community leaders;
• A team spirit and sense of humor;
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills; and
• Entrepreneurial spirit
Highly Desirable:
• Significant experience in project management;
• Knowledge of SFCG's work and its Common Ground methodologies;
• Experience in Madagascar or with the current Madagascar context;
• Knowledge of Sub-Saharan Africa and current issues on the continent.
Salary: Commensurate with experience and education, with excellent benefits
