Careers

With an eye to the upcoming local elections, IFES is seeking a candidate to support its efforts to provide technical assistance to advance key areas in the electoral process in North Macedonia. Subject to donor approval, IFES will implement a project that would contribute to enhancing transparency, strengthening public oversight, and promoting accountability in campaign financing and the use of state resources. These efforts will support credible electoral and political processes, advance democratic reforms, and build greater resilience to external threats. Among others, the project will provide small grants to civil society organizations (CSOs) and equip them with tools, knowledge, and capacity to monitor areas that have traditionally received limited oversight, such as campaign finance practices and potential misuse of administrative resources in several municipalities during the October local elections. 

• Assist and support project implementation in line with the project documents, proposed budget and other relevant documentation;
• Contribute to planning, mobilization and administration of resources such as consultants, service providers and subcontractors;
• Closely liaise with participating civil society organizations (CSOs) and monitors, provide necessary operational and administrative support, and help ensure the timely delivery of election monitoring reporting outputs as well as narrative and financial reports;
• Provide required assistance with financial tracking and reporting of project expenditures, including small grants to CSOs and contracts of implementing partners and other service providers;
• Map key local information sources (e.g., municipal websites, social media pages, local public announcements, key contestant communication channels) for municipalities selected for monitoring, and organize this information to support CSOs and monitors in their observation efforts;
• Support local and international consultants in realization of specific assignments and organization of events, including providing background information and briefing materials regarding the project and the approach to the national context and the identified needs and priorities;
• Undertake day-to-day administration of the project activities, including operational, financial, administrative and logistics related tasks ensuring efficient use of resources and realization in line with IFES policies, rules and procedures.
• Maintain good communication with relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries involved in project design and implementation;
• Provide input in drafting project documents, including briefs and background materials on-spot reports, supporting documentation for procurement and contracting related processes, etc.
• Gather necessary data for monitoring and evaluation of the progress in the implementation of project activities and draft quarterly and final project reports;
• Collaborate with project national implementing partner(s) in organizing activities and realizing the agreed deliverables;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, psychology, organizational development, business or a related field.
• Master’s degree is preferred. 

Experience:

• At least 4 years of experience in coordination/implementation of development projects.
• At least 2 years of experience in providing assistance in the field of elections, democratization, management and administration of grants to civil society organizations and/or assistance to local self-government units.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Proven ability to plan and organize work effectively, manage multiple workflows within a required time frame, including administrative and operational tasks.
• Ability to familiarize oneself with the legal framework regulating the conduct of election campaigns prior to the beginning of the assignment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to engage with CSOs and local actors in a supportive and professional manner.
• Excellent written and verbal command of English and Macedonian languages.
• Knowledge of Albanian language will be considered an asset.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT: Standard office work environment. 

POSITION DESIGNATION: This position is subject to mandatory background checks. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Must be authorized to work in North Macedonia. Must be responsive to emails and phone calls outside of regular business hours when necessary to support time-sensitive matters. 

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS: This is a project specific position for 10 months. The selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a 30-day probationary period.

DISCLAIMER: The information indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate. It is not designed to contain, nor to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. 

To apply for this role, please send your cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Kindly include "Project Officer (North Macedonia)" in the subject line.