Project Manager – Central America

Project Manager – Central America

International IDEA – The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

Panama City, Panama

Context

On February 1, 2021, IDEA’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) was established in the Republic of Panama. From there, we work with democratic institutions throughout the Latin American and Caribbean region to increase the effectiveness and legitimacy of democracy and its institutions. Based on a geographic approach, our Latin America and Caribbean programme responds to requests from regional, sub-regional, and national actors, builds capacity through technical assistance, comparative applied knowledge resources, and provides spaces for dialogue. The LAC Programme is an important partner and agenda setter in many countries where it provides technical assistance.

The Latin America and the Caribbean regional office will implement a project in Central America, with the aim of strengthening the democratic resilience of civil society organizations. Working with local partners in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras and drawing on their own knowledge and experiences, the project will deliver training, organize information and exchange of best practices, and support the implementation of good practices through grants and capacity development.

The project’s capacity building outputs will include knowledge exchanges, advisory services, grants, and other tools. Support for civil society organizations and media will encompass: a CSO and media mapping across the region; enhancing the capacities of CSO networks and the use of information platforms; strengthening democratic institutions via technical advisory services and grants; training for improving electoral monitoring and on effective, evidence-based communication; enhancing digital resources and tools among journalists; advocacy to promote democracy; financing for pro-democracy campaigns; and sharing of regional and international practices.

In collaboration with International IDEA’s Latin American and Caribbean regional team, the Project Manager will be responsible for the overall direction of the project, and will lead and coordinate planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting of all related project activities, ensuring attainment of project objectives and ensuring compliance with both International IDEA and donor regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Leads the planning and implementation of the project;
2. Ensures oversight of project funds in accordance with donor and International IDEA’s regulations, and in collaboration with the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office (RLAC);
3. Identifies opportunities for innovative project design;
4. Manages and provides direction, support, and feedback to project partners on aspects of programming, ensuring that International IDEA and donor rules and requirements are met;
5. Provides timely project related progress reports to the Director Latin America and the Caribbean Region;
6. Liaises and works programmatically with relevant local, national and intergovernmental bodies;
7. Represents International IDEA at meetings and events and develops and maintains positive and effective relations with governments, donors and other relevant interlocutors;
8. Contributes to the development of communications material; produces reports and develops content for the International IDEA’s website and on social media in collaboration with RLAC Office;
9. Conceptualizes, plans, facilitates, participates in and makes presentations at relevant meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences;
10. Leads the team of staff and consultants to ensure full delivery of agreed project outputs, in consultation with the RLAC office;
11. Manages the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) component of the Project, ensuring their adherence with International IDEA’s M&E results framework and relevant policies and procedures;
12. Documents lessons learned, stories, case studies and evidence related to the delivery of the Project’s results;
13. Oversees the Project risk assessment and management, actively manages risks and regularly updates the risk management strategy in line with International IDEA’s policies and procedures.

General Profile

• Combines in-depth knowledge, acquired through academic achievements, excellent skills including managerial skills and relevant experience in their field;
• Manages assigned projects throughout the project life cycle, i.e., from strategic planning and project design, funding, and budgeting to project assessment and accountability; leads meetings and discussions, supervises publications and input from external providers;
• Has contributed to publications on their relevant subject; is recognized as a knowledge resource in his/her broad professional community;
• Has the intellectual leadership in integrating innovation into his/her field of expertise;
• Directly manages a team of contributors to the project, including staff members and possibly consultants;
• 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;
• 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 inclusion perspective in all activities.

Reporting Line

• Director Latin America and the Caribbean Region.

Education and Experience

• A postgraduate degree in public policy, political science, public administration, international relations, social sciences, Latin American or Central America Studies, or related fields;
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in the field of democracy and governance in Central America, particularly in Guatemala, El Salvador and/or Honduras;
• Experience working with civil society organizations, journalists and media in Central America;
• Experience of monitoring and evaluation approaches and procedures is essential;
• A minimum of three (3) years’ solid experience in successful project management and the management of teams;
• Experience in designing and organizing international seminars and conferences;
• Experience with different donors, as well as familiarity with their processes and systems is considered an asset;
• Experience working in international organizations, civil society organizations, or think tanks.

Terms of Contract

• This post is advertised subject to the confirmation of funding;
• International Post;
• Fixed term appointment until 30 April 2027;
• Remuneration – EUR 4 728 NET per month + benefits.

Applying for this position

• Applications should be submitted no later than 23:59 (CEST) 18 April 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.

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