USAID Zimbabwe Democracy & Governance Advisor

Grade-level Equivalent: ~GS 14

Clearance Requirement: Secret

Period of Performance (o/a): 100 days FTE base term; extension possible

Place of Performance: Harare, Zimbabwe

Telework Designation: Situational (up to 2 days/week)

Expected Travel: No TDY travel outside of Harare expected

BACKGROUND:

Zimbabwe was once one of southern Africa's most vibrant, productive, and resilient countries. However, over the past two decades, a series of political and economic crises have led to a general decline in the standard of living and a breakdown in public health, education, and infrastructure.

USAID/Zimbabwe's Democracy and Governance (DG) Office provides technical leadership to deliver technical assistance in the democracy, rights, and governance (DRG) sector. The support includes the protection and promotion of democratic governance to prevent continued backsliding in political and economic conditions; protect and build capacity for civic participation; election monitoring and observation; implementation of the country's 2013 constitution; promotion of accountability, inclusion of vulnerable or marginalized populations in democratic processes; and training and organizing of communities to improve social cohesion and address trauma caused by political violence. The DG Office also supports the development of Mission DRG strategies, implementation of Mission's CDCS, and designs and manages program implementation and evaluation.

The Zimbabwe DG team seeks a DG Advisor to provide support for the Democracy and Governance team. As a critical member of the DG team, the advisor, under the guidance of the DG Office Director, will provide advisory and technical support for the DG office, will work closely with development objective (DO) integration teams to implement Mission CDCS objectives, and with interagency colleagues to identify opportunities for USAID/Zimbabwe to support positive democratic processes. Support will also involve designing activities responding to identified opportunities; working with partners to effectively implement activities and monitor and report on the impact of those activities; and will perform other associated technical and advisory assistance for the Mission. The DG advisor will work closely with other technical offices during reviews of strategies, policy documents, and resource allocation issues.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, include but are not limited to:

The DG Deputy/advisor's responsibilities will be varied and dynamic to reflect changing circumstances facing USAID/Zimbabwe. The DG advisor is considered an expert in the DRG field and is expected to carry out work assignments using independent professional judgment to ensure the provision of effective technical leadership and managerial support. Specifically, the DG advisor will:

• Support the DG Office Director or acting DG Office Director in the absence of the Director.

• Support oversight of thematic assessments or program evaluations and operationalization of DRG Assessment and other context evaluations to inform current activity implementation, new designs, and/or new strategy development.

• Lead and/or contribute to design of new activities/programs.

• Participate in internal, interagency, and/or Washington discussions on the direction of DG portfolio and development policy for the Mission.

• Support coordination efforts with interagency, implementing partners, and international donors.

• Advise and support USAID and/or DG leadership in high-level interagency and Washington meetings.

• Provide soft mentorship for FSO and FSN staff.

• Take up Activity Manager duties for assigned DG portfolio activities, which may include accountability, parliamentary strengthening, elections & political processes, or social cohesion workstreams.

• Develop relationships with government partners, NGOs, academic institutions, and other stakeholders interested in the DG country portfolio.

The advisor will report to the DG Office Director when present. Results of work will be considered technically authoritative. The Supervisor sets the overall assignment objectives, program emphasis, and resources available. The advisor and the Supervisor, in consultation, develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be done. The position needs only administrative direction in order to complete broadly defined missions or functions. The advisor, having developed expertise in the technical field, performs planning and oversight functions and day-to-day work in concert with the Office Director, suggests priorities and approaches to be taken resolving most of the conflicts that arise, coordinates the work internally with others as necessary, and interprets policy in terms of established objectives. Completed work and deliverables are reviewed for conformance to overall requirements, compatibility with other work, and effectiveness in meeting objectives. The contractor has responsibility for independently planning, designing, and carrying out his/her work. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change. If the work should be reviewed, the review concerns such matters as fulfillment of program objectives, effect of advice and influence on the overall program, or the contribution to the advancement of the program.

It is envisioned that the advisor will:

• Serve as advisor to the DG Deputy Office Director or acting DG Office Director and support essential functions in the absence of both.

• Manage thematic assessments or program evaluations and operationalization of DRG Assessment and other context evaluations to inform current activity implementation, new designs, and/or new strategy development.

• Lead and/or contribute to design of new activities/programs.

• Participate in internal, interagency, and/or Washington discussions on direction of DG portfolio and development policy for the Mission.

• Support coordination efforts with interagency, implementing partners, and international donors.

• Support USAID &/or DG in high-level interagency and Washington meetings.

• Support and advise one or more FSNs.

• Provide soft mentorship for FSO and FSN staff.

• Serve as Activity Manager for assigned DG portfolio activities, which may include accountability, parliamentary strengthening, elections & political processes, or social cohesion workstreams.

• Develop relationships with government partners, NGOs, academic institutions, and other stakeholders interested in the DG country portfolio.

NOTE: The consultant will not perform other inherently governmental functions or duties (e.g. will not serve as AOR/COR or supervise staff), but rather will advise, mentor, and facilitate as appropriate on the performance of inherently governmental functions on the part of the Office or Mission.

KEY DELIVERABLES:

By the end of the engagement the DRG Senior Advisor will deliver:

1. Complete two solicitations for 1) Local Governance and 2) Social Cohesion by May 2025. The Advisor will also provide technical guidance to design teams to build capacity for future designs

2. Provide technical advice and finalize the DG portfolio's Theory of Change and Strategic approach to be used to improve the quality of results achieved under existing and future awards

3. Mentor 6 current DG FSN and USDH staff in award management and compliance with agency rules and regulations on activity results' reporting.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS, EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• Education: Master's degree in social sciences, international development, political science, international relations, law, or other relevant fields involving democracy, human rights, and governance with seven years of professional experience in providing technical assistance, implementing, managing, analyzing and/or evaluating democracy and governance programs in developing countries is required or a bachelor's degree with ten years of experience.

• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English language is required.

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of development theory and programmatic best practice in one or a combination of the following fields: democracy and governance, anti-corruption, elections, civil society, local development, justice and rule of law, local governance, independent media, digital safeguarding, and public administration.

• The incumbent must demonstrate advanced knowledge in understanding the economic, social, cultural, and political characteristics of development and democratic governance.

• Expert knowledge in activity design, program management, monitoring and evaluation related to democracy and governance.

• Demonstrated knowledge in managerial and administrative areas, related to project teams and development activity management.

• Technical, analytical, and managerial abilities (project and staff) combined with excellent interpersonal, diplomatic, and leadership skills. This includes learning agility and the ability to effectively adapt to new or changing situations; problem-solving abilities; the ability to establish and maintain effective relations with international and host-country counterparts; sensitivity to others; and balanced judgment.

• Advanced capacity to work successfully in a fast-paced environment and capable of handling tasks with varying deadlines. Expert ability to conceptualize, both strategically and programmatically.

• Excellent English writing and editing skills, as well as ability to provide cohesive oral presentations (formal and ad hoc) around complex issues in an understandable manner; ability to draft quality and clear documents including briefing papers, project design documents, and reports.

• Demonstrated skills in coordinating and collaborating between teams, offices, and or units within a larger organization.

• Proficiency in the use of MS Office suite, Gmail, and Google suite.

Jefferson Consulting Group is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, genetic data, veteran status, or any category protected by law.

Jefferson Consulting Group is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, JCG will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Department at (202) 626-8550 via email: HR@jeffersonconsulting.com