Position Title: Program Officer, CSO Capacity Building – Hela and Morobe Province

Location: Tari, Hela Province and Lae, Morobe Province or Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Project: USAID Peace Project – IR2 Citizens’ Participation in Good Governance Strengthened
Reports To: Papua New Guinea IR2 Team Lead

Position Summary:

The Program Officer, CSO Capacity Building, will be responsible for leading the implementation of activities aimed at strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Hela and Morobe province. This role involves providing technical support to partners, ensuring that project activities are executed according to the workplan, and maintaining effective relationships with local stakeholders. The Program Officer will work closely with the IFES Training Advisor and the IR2 Team Lead to conduct CSO capacity assessments and deliver organizational capacity-building training.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Implementation:
• Lead the implementation of assigned project activities related to CSO capacity building, ensuring alignment with the project workplan and objectives.
• Provide backstop and technical support to ensure successful execution of capacity-building tasks.
• Monitor the progress of CSO capacity-building activities and report any challenges or deviations to the IR2 Team Lead.
2. CSO Capacity Assessments:
• Work with the IFES Training Advisor to conduct comprehensive CSO capacity assessments in Hela and Morobe provinces.
• Analyze the results of capacity assessments to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement within CSOs.
• Support the development and implementation of tailored capacity-building plans for each CSO based on assessment findings.
3. Organizational Capacity Building:
• Work with IFES staff to design and deliver training sessions, workshops, and other capacity-building initiatives aimed at enhancing the organizational effectiveness of CSOs.
• Provide ongoing mentoring and support to CSOs, helping them to implement best practices in governance, financial management, advocacy, and service delivery.
• Facilitate peer learning and networking opportunities among CSOs to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration.
4. Stakeholder Engagement:
• Maintain strong relationships with local CSOs ensuring their active participation in project activities.
5. Monitoring and Reporting:
• Ensure that all CSO capacity-building activities are documented and reported according to the terms of the award.
• Work with the IFES Inclusion Specialists to integrate inclusion and diversity considerations into capacity-building activities.
• Provide regular updates and reports to the IR2 Team Lead on the status of capacity-building activities and any potential risks.
6. Risk Management:
• Collaborate with the IFES global security manager to monitor and manage programmatic and security risks associated with CSO capacity-building activities in Hela and Morobe.
• Ensure that all project activities are conducted in a safe and secure manner, adhering to IFES and USAID security protocols.
7. Team Collaboration:
• Work closely with other members of the IFES team, including Training Advisor, Inclusion Specialists, and IR2 Team Lead, to ensure cohesive and coordinated project implementation.
• Actively participate in team meetings, providing insights and updates on CSO capacity-building activities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, international development, organizational development, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in program implementation, preferably in capacity building, governance, or civil society strengthening.
• Strong understanding of civil society dynamics and organizational development principles.
• Experience working with local CSOs, including capacity assessments and organizational development initiatives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in diverse cultural settings.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and work under pressure.
• Familiarity with USAID regulations and compliance requirements is a plus.
• Fluency in English and Tok Pisin is required.

Application Process:

Interested candidates meeting the above requirements should submit a CV, cover letter detailing qualifications for the position (no more than a page in length), and name/contact details of three (3) referees to png-conf@ifes.org

Please include the subject line "Program Officer, CSO Capacity Building - Hela" if you are based in Tari or "Program Officer, CSO Capacity Building - Morobe" if you are based in Lae or “Program Officer, CSO Capacity Building – Hela and Morobe” if you are based in POM and believe you can carry out this SoW in both provinces.

The closing date for applications is Monday 30^th Spetember 2024 at 4pm

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.