Director, Global Programmes – Sweden/Belgium

Director, Global Programmes – Sweden/Belgium

International IDEA – The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

Brussels or Stockholm

Context

International IDEA advances democracy worldwide, by supporting the building, strengthening and safeguarding of democratic institutions and processes at all levels.

International IDEA’s research and knowledge products capture global experiences of democracy and provide decision makers with accurate analysis, data and tools for inclusive political, constitutional and electoral reform. Our efforts to support democratic change also build on our ability to facilitate dialogue at national and international levels, build partnerships and contribute to the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

The Global Programmes is central for International IDEA’s position as the global leader in Democracy and Electoral Assistance. Committed to the principles and practices of democracy, the Director Global Programmes has strategic and operational responsibility to lead a diversely talented Global Programmes team of more than 50 people, providing strategic direction and overseeing the development, implementation and delivery of high-quality programme plans, objectives, and budgets. This includes leading the Global Programmes team members in raising funds, developing impactful external partnerships, and improving internal collaboration.

As a member of the Management Committee, the Director Global Programmes leads strategic planning and internal initiatives. They actively contribute to the overall management of the organization, by providing guidance and direction in the development and implementation of strategies in particular with regard to the organization’s knowledge production to support International IDEA’s mandate and work programmes, with an eye toward both future needs and budget realities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Direction:

• Provides strategic direction and oversees the development of high-quality global comparative knowledge and applied research products aimed at supporting and advancing democracy worldwide and furthering International IDEA’s reputation as a global thought leader and expert on democracy;
• Provides strategic direction for the knowledge development priorities of the Institute under the supervision of the Secretary-General and in consultation with members of senior management and International IDEA’s Member States.

Resource Mobilization and Partnerships:

• Leads, in collaboration with the Secretary-General and heads of team, the effort to seek new and enhance existing sources of funding for Global Programmes;
• Makes introductions and nurtures positive relationships with decision-makers in donor institutions;
• Coordinates resource mobilization efforts with other senior leaders internally, including Regional Directors and the Secretary General’s office, to ensure coherence;
• Fosters strategic alliances with key actors; establishes, maintains and strengthens partnerships globally with intergovernmental organizations, think tanks, research institutes, civil society organizations and such other relevant actors.

Internal Coherence and Collaboration:

• Ensures that knowledge, resources and expertise of Global Programmes is integrated in capacity development efforts of regional programmes and vice versa;
• Promotes institutional coherence regarding the design and implementation of strategies and programmes;
• Supports Global Programmes team members in collaboration with Regional Programmes to enhance and expand International IDEA’s efforts in current member states and develop opportunities in countries of interest;
• Influences and promotes cross-regional exchange of knowledge and collaboration.

Team Management, Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement:

• Provides substantive leadership, quality control and guidance to the Global Programmes team in their provision of evidence-based knowledge, ensuring excellence in programme delivery and impact and relevance to Member States, donors and boundary partners;
• Oversees and supports heads of team in planning processes, budget development and hiring within Global Programmes;
• Promotes continuous improvement and innovation of International IDEAs comparative knowledge;
• Safeguards credibility, accuracy and relevance of IDEA’s research and knowledge products and services, for example by engaging in the infrastructure for knowledge-sharing, the design of quality control processes, and mechanisms for uniformity of message across IDEA;
• Ensures the strategic integration and implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning within Global Programmes.

Institutional Leadership:

• As a member of the Institute’s Management Committee contributes to the overall leadership of International IDEA. This includes participation in regular Management Committee meetings, advising the Secretary-General on the strategic direction of the Institute, participating in the generation of new initiatives and providing solution-based approaches to the management of the organization;
• Manages positive relationships with International IDEA’s Board of Advisers and governance bodies, facilitating their substantive input into International IDEA programmes; and ensuring appropriate reporting of programme results, new developments and programme modifications;
• Represents International IDEA successfully in all professional circles at the national and international level.

General Profile

• Internationally recognised and trained expert or practitioner in at least one of International IDEA’s thematic areas (political institutions, electoral processes, political participation, democracy assessment, digitalization, gender & inclusion, and climate change & democracy);
• Possesses a broad and deep network of senior-level contacts in government, civil society, intergovernmental and academic fields globally;
• Demonstrated track record of raising funds for large-scale programmes and projects and developing high-level partnerships in a global intergovernmental organization, NGO or other similar institution;
• Senior level leader with experience managing and improving high-performing, diverse and geographically dispersed teams. Experience holding teams accountable for results;
• Strong understanding of and ability to support innovation in programming approaches;
• Demonstrated expertise of applied research, combining knowledge development with practical implementation and impact including policy development and technical assistance;
• Combines in-depth and breadth of expertise in own discipline and broad knowledge of other disciplines within the Global Programmes;
• Possesses deep understanding of political processes, general theory and practice of democracy;
• Solid knowledge of development co-operation and key challenges in the area of democracy assistance; good understanding of various bilateral and multilateral donor policies and programming procedures;
• Excellent diplomatic and networking skills and experience of high-level representation on behalf of organizations and with donors, member states and partners;
• Proven track record of achieving results in an international or non-profit environment, with demonstrated success in developing policies, procedures and processes and building systems and tools to support a growth-oriented organization;
• Expected to travel globally to any geographical area involved in their projects;
• Acts in accordance with International IDEA’ s core values: Respect, Integrity and Professionalism;
• Integrates a gender and diversity perspective in all activities.

Reporting line

• Secretary-General.

Education and Experience

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Political Science, Law, Economics, Sustainable Development, International Relations or a related field. PhD is advantageous;
• A minimum fifteen (15) years’ of professional work experience in various organizations such as governmental, non-governmental, national, transnational etc. with increasing responsibility in the design and development of policies and programmes in the fields of governance, democracy and human rights; A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience in the application of research to policy and programming;
• A minimum six (6) years’ experience at a senior management level in an organization with a record of success in human resources and financial management linking service delivery to strategic objectives;
• Proven track record of resource mobilization and partnership building in similar IGO or NGO environment;
• Proven record of strong managerial skills – minimum ten (10) years, including motivating, leading and developing multi-disciplinary, highly diverse teams;
• Proven experience of project cycle management – minimum seven (7) years, including planning and implementation of work plans and budgets.

Terms of Contract

• Duty Station – Stockholm, Sweden or Brussels, Belgium;
• International post;
• Start date – 01 February 2025;
• Three (3) year fixed term appointment;
• Remuneration – EUR 9,951 NET per month + benefits.

Applying for this position

• Applications should be submitted no later than 23:59 (CEST) 31 July 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 of 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.

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