Activity Implementation Manаger

JOB TITLE: Activity Implementation Manager (AIM) 

ESTIMATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE/LEVEL OF EFFORT: Long-term

BACKGROUND: The five-year USAID Democratic Governance East Activity (DG East) aims to strengthen the connection and trust between citizens and their government in eastern Ukraine DG East’s methodology is to (1) develop greater acceptance of a shared civic culture based on common values and understandings, and (2) increase participation to improve Ukraine’s governance and reform processes and help to resolve community problems. DG East activities аre implemented with the regional focus on eastern and southern parts of Ukraine with two project offices based in Kyiv and Staryi Sambir. This position is assigned to the support of the Mariupol portfolio. 

JOB SUMMARY: The Activity Implementation Manager (AIM) is responsible for leading its respective Activity Management Unit (AMU) composed of a procurement manager, grants and subcontracts manager, finance assistant, and MEL coordinаtor. The AMU will drive the AMUs design, implementation, and provide monitoring and evaluation oversight. The AIM will utilize its established relations with local networks and organizations to develop implementation activities. In addition to the AMU, the AIM will coordinate closely with the Deputy Chief of Party and the Chief of Party and engage appropriate members of the Technical Expert Group as needed.

REPORTING: This position reports to the Regional Director.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Lead an Activity Implementation Unit composed of a procurement manager, grants and subcontracts manager, finance assistant, and monitoring and evaluation coordinator, engaging long-term and short-term technical specialists as needed.
• Establish and maintain relationships with partners, through networking and outreach, and work with them to determine training, technical assistance, equipment, or financial needs with a focus on sustainability, under the supervision of the Chief of Party of their designee.
• Coordinate and liaise with the Grants and Subcontracts Managers and Procurement Managers to ensure effective grant implementation, compliance, and procurement requirements; and coordinate assistance from the Technical Expert Group, implementing partners, and short-term technical assistance and/or in-kind contributions of subcontracts or grants.
• Proactively develop activities, including grants, which have a high likelihood of achieving impact and respond to the current social and political situation in Ukraine.
• Prepare, present, analyze, and evaluate grant concepts, solicitations, applications, and grant agreement/award documents to ensure consistency with program priorities, goals and objectives.
• Lead a stakeholder outreach system to coordinate the design and implementation of programming on a context-driven basis, working with the Technical Expert Group to evaluate and refine concepts with local partners, short-term technical assistance to support the design and alteration of activities, and the Technical Expert Group and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning staff to replicate and scale activities.
• Develop and finalize multiple activities, on an ongoing basis, in a fast-paced and highly variable environment, monitoring the changing socio-political climate to provide on-going strategic analysis and advice to DG East.
• Provide technical assistance to grantees, and potential partners as required, during the implementation phase in coordination with other staff.
• Use the DG East activity database for tracking and detailing activities, and liaise with grants management, procurement and finance staff, and under the direction of the Chief of Party or their designee ensure that grant implementation, compliance, and procurement requirements are adhered to.
• Develop and maintain strong relationship with community and government counterparts to successfully lead community and government outreach, including reviewing contextual analysis, communicating actively with Activity partners, and holding discussions with partners on activity concepts that fit within the Activity’s strategic objectives.
• Evaluate activities’ progress, and coordinate with beneficiaries and other staff to prepare, review, and approve monitoring and evaluation data and final reports.
• Ensure mechanism for sustainability are in place, including continued financial support, maintenance plans, ongoing training, etc.
• Conduct reviews, summarize results, and provide recommendations, including completing final management reviews to document lessons learned, summarize results, and make suggestions about next steps for activity replication (additional communities, new sectors, new partners, etc.)
• As needs dictate, the supervisor may assign ad hoc special tasks and duties to the AIM to ensure the overall efficient development of program activities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Activity Implementation Assistant, if assigned.

DUTY STATION: This position will be based remotely and when the security situation permits in the designated DG East location, Ukraine.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to travel throughout Ukraine is required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.
• At least three (3) years demonstrated experience in project design, development and management of relevant donor-funded community development projects at the local, municipal, or national level in Ukraine.
• Experience developing information/media activities and knowledge of the Ukrainian media market, particularly in Eastern Ukraine, desired.
• Strong organizational, management, and administrative skills, preferably with respect to report writing and monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrated analytical ability and understanding of local and regional political context, with the ability to think creatively in conceptualizing relevant grant activities.
• Proven knowledge of local and international NGOs and community-based organizations implementing relevant activities and programs in country, as well as key governmental actors and stakeholders, with an up-to-date understanding and knowledge of the political environment and social conditions in the country.
• Experience working with local organizations to implement community participation and consensus-type activities.
• Experience with USAID-funded projects preferred.
• Proficiency in English and Ukrainian strongly preferred.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to [email protected] with Activity Implementation Manager - Mariupol listed in the subject line by October 10, 2022. Candidates must ensure that CV does *not* include a photograph, date of birth, and/or marital status information.

No telephone inquiries, please. Candidates will be considered on a rolling basis, and only finalists will be contacted.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.