Kyrgyzstan: Chief of Party

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Chief of Party (COP) oversees and manages a flagship USG-funded media development project and serves as Internews’ Country Director in the Kyrgyz Republic. Internews programming offers a range of financial and technical assistance to independent media and content producers, supports efforts to improve media literacy, and promote national cultural heritage across the country. The project aims to improve partners’ business and editorial practices to help them operate as viable enterprises, enhance their content production quality and adherence to journalistic standards, as well as broaden the content’s reach and appeal to target audiences.

The COP/Country Director will be responsible for maintaining strong partnership and dialogue with the appropriate stakeholders (such as funders, industrial and professional organizations and groups, international implementors active in the country, and government representatives). They will provide strategic guidance and leadership for Internews programming in the Kyrgyz Republic, coordinate technical and professional capacity-building assistance to partners and beneficiaries, and ensure proper oversight of the project’s personnel, financial management, and administration. The Country Director/COP will closely coordinate and communicate with other Internews projects in Central Asia, the Europe and Eurasia region, and globally to ensure synergy and complementarity. The Country Director/COP reports to the Regional Director for Europe and Eurasia.

LOGISTICS

This position will be based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply soon.

This is a limited-duration position, with an expected end date of September 30, 2027.

Note: Hiring is contingent upon donor approval.

OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A CULTURE OF BELONGING

We are an organization of dynamic, mission-driven individuals who are passionate about our core values and about supporting positive change in the world. We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation and flexibility. We believe that diverse teams are strong teams and work to support an ethic of belonging, dignity, and justice for all people. Our current team includes a mix of genders, parents and non-parents, and people of multiple races, nationalities, ages, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are an EEO employer and encourage candidates of all races, genders, ages, orientations, ethnicities, and national origins to apply, and welcome those with alternative backgrounds and experiences.

DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include:

• Provide strategic, operational and representational leadership for the project and Internews programming in the Kyrgyz Republic.
• Oversee organization and implementation of all project activities, as well as project monitoring and evaluation to ensure effective implementation and measure project impact, including monthly tracking of activities against work plans.
• Supervise project staff, carrying out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable local laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints, and resolving problems.
• Ensure the project is in compliance with funders’ rules, requirements and regulations as well as with Internews’ internal policies and procedures.
• Serve as the primary budget authority, responsible for ensuring all costs charged to the supervised projects are allowable, reasonable, and correctly allocated.
• Accept fiduciary responsibility for all funds advanced for the purposes of the supervised projects.
• Serve as the public face of Internews; cultivate and strengthen relationships with and act as project’s primary point of contact for in-country donor representatives and other stakeholders.
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with local and regional partner organizations and ensure that implementation is responsive to the needs of partners and beneficiaries.
• Initiate and maintain engagement with other funders and implementors in the Kyrgyz Republic and Central Asia region to foster coordination and collaboration, thereby optimizing the use of resources to further the project’s objectives.
• Ensures effective communication and collaboration with Internews regional and global projects or initiatives that have activities in the Kyrgyz Republic.
• In collaboration with Internews staff and according to award stipulations, write and edit project reports, communications materials, and other project documentation.
• Maintain strategic awareness of independent media issues in the Kyrgyz Republic and the Central Asia region, and a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing independent media in engaging new audiences, maintaining editorial independence and press freedoms, and ensuring sustainability.
• Maintain regular communications with Internews headquarters staff to communicate progress on programming and address upcoming issues in advance.
• Develop or significantly contributes to development of concept notes, proposals, donor communication and outreach materials; facilitate relevant fundraising and development activities to advance and enrich programming in the country.
• In all duties, uphold Internews’ Core Values and demonstrate commitment to fostering a culture of belonging.

QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

Required

• At least 10 years of proven experience in media, media development, civil society, or human rights programs, including at least 5 years in roles providing high-level program management and oversight.
• University degree in a social science, international development, media or a related field OR equivalent lived/professional experience.
• Excellent written and spoken English and working proficiency in Russian.
• Previous senior management experience as a COP/Deputy COP/Project Director (or in a similar supervisory role) with a strong reputation for developing excellent collaborative working relationships with counterparts, international organizations, and donors.
• Experience in fundraising and development of innovative program concepts.
• Successful track record in supervising, designing, managing and implementing technical assistance for donor-funded media and/or Civil Society projects, preferably capacity-building programs.
• Demonstrable understanding of media and media business practices, as well as current challenges facing independent media in the country, region, and globally.
• Strong diplomatic skills, with the ability to foster and maintain effective regional partnerships across a diverse group of stakeholders, including funders, INGOs, key local partners, and implementers, to advance the project’s mission.
• Strong interpersonal, social and communication skills, high level of emotional intelligence, ability to effectively convey messages in a clear, concise, and positive manner.
• Proven ability to develop, implement, and monitor work plans, training plans, monitoring and evaluation plans, and procurement plans.
• Positive mindset, strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, ability to lead by example and foster a positive work environment, even in challenging circumstances.

Preferred

Note: Candidates who do not have these preferred qualifications, but who are interested and willing to learn, are encouraged to apply.

• Experience with US government-funded programs strongly preferred.
• Professional proficiency in Kyrgyz (written and spoken) strongly preferred.