Rule of Law Initiative - Strategic Advisor Country Relations

Job Summary/General Purpose of Job:

Serve as the ABA country representative and Power of Attorney holder in country, or assist the country representative and power of attorney holder, to ensure all activities in related country are completed accurately, timely, and in accordance with ABA policy and all relevant regulatory requirements.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

Start Up:

• Development of updated three-month start-up workplan of activities

• Work with local representatives and counsel to reactivate project registration, as needed

• Work with local counsel, FFM, and Program Management Unit (PMU) to update the project/country Local Office Policy Manual

• Work with Field Finance Manager (FFM) consultant to open project-specific bank account

• Work with the PMU to secure local Power of Attorney authorization

• Development of staffing plan and management of in-country recruitment process for priority hiring

• Development of consultant scopes of work, as needed

• Work with Field Finance Start-up Consultant to produce start-up procurement plan

• Develop initial partner mapping list for grantees, sub-partners, and key stakeholders, then begin outreach

• Other related start-up tasks, as directed

Field Finance Start Up:

• Development of updated three-month start-up workplan of activities

• Work with local representatives and counsel to reactivate project registration, as needed

• Work with local counsel, FFM, and Program Management Unit (PMU) to update the project/country Local Office Policy Manual

• Work with Field Finance Manager (FFM) consultant to open project-specific bank account

• Work with the PMU to secure local Power of Attorney authorization

• Development of staffing plan and management of in-country recruitment process for priority hiring

• Development of consultant scopes of work, as needed

• Work with Field Finance Start-up Consultant to produce start-up procurement plan

• Develop initial partner mapping list for grantees, sub-partners, and key stakeholders, then begin outreach

• Other related start-up tasks, as directed

Business Development:

• Identify needed capture or pre-positioning tasks in concert with ABA Business Development staff

• Provide assistance in developing the proposal or concept note’s implementation strategic approach and activity design

• Provide analysis on donor priorities and solicitation requirements

• Contribute to competitive analysis

• Serve as a technical reviewer of color team drafts (e.g., Blue, Pink, Red, Gold)

• Assist with partner identification and development of teaming agreement scopes of work

• Assist with stakeholder mapping and outreach

• Conduct desk research and review background documents

• Assist with Key Personnel identification and selection

• Conduct local cost analysis and provide suggestions for budget realism

• Serve as a writer for select proposal sections, including technical approach, management, annexes, and budget narratives

• Contribute to the development of capacity statements

• Other related capture, proposal, or concept development tasks, as directed

Registration:

• Serve as the ABA country representative and Power of Attorney holder in country, or assist the country representative and power of attorney holder

• Coordinate with local counsel or other ABA local representatives or agents to draft, prepare, or submit required organizational, tax, and legal documents to register or to maintain active registration

• Provide updates as relevant to ABA on changes in active registration requirements

• Other related registration maintenance tasks, as directed

Administrative Closedown:

• Ensure final payments for staff salaries, benefits, and severance as required are processed and paid

• Submit all final invoices with full back-up documentation into Chrome River

• Process and submit any required tax payments to the local government for staffing and project-specific registration

• Coordinate with local counsel and PMU on any needed notifications to in-country labor ministries or authorities to confirm project termination

• Liaise with the local bank to close project accounts, complete final bank reconciliations, and return any unspent funds to ABA Headquarters

• Assist as needed with final disposition of equipment

• Assist as needed with handover of office lease properties to the landlord and collect related deposits

• Other related closedown tasks, as directed

Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience:

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school or master’s degree and at least fourteen (14) years of program management experience, OR bachelor’s degree and at least sixteen (16) years of program management experience.  NOTE:  If law degree is from a non-U.S. law school, the degree program may not be required to be from an ABA-accredited law school.
• At least 10 years of int’l development or human rights experience at the managerial level.
• Previous experience managing U.S. Government or other similarly funded programs which must have included responsibilities for supervision of a team, financial management and compliance.
• Relevant experience, knowledge, and understanding of budgeting, financial principles and performance monitoring of similar programs.
• At least 10 years of previous supervisory experience which must have included providing performance feedback to direct reports.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience:

• Strong time management skills and ability to work under tight deadlines and to prioritize/manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Experience overseeing the development of organizational systems to maintain effective communication and coordination across a large portfolio of diverse programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Ability to lead by example, positively motivate others and be an effective team player.
• Significant representational experience with key stakeholders, including donors, high level USG and local government officials, and peer organizations.
• Previous experience in the field of international development/ human rights with an emphasis on the rule of law, democracy, and/or governance.

• Language proficiency, if not fluency, in one or more other languages in addition to English.
• Prior engagement with key donor agencies including (USAID, U.S. State Department, UK FCO, DFID, World Bank, UN and others).