Austrian Development Agency HQ

International Team Leader Local Empowerment of Actors for Development in Shirak province of Armenia (LEAD4Shirak)

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Last update: Jan 10, 2022 Last update: Jan 10, 2022

Details

Deadline: Jan 30, 2022 Deadline for applications has passed
Location: Armenia Armenia
Job type:Contract, 12 months +
Languages:
EnglishEnglish
Work experience: Min 5 years
Date posted:Dec 27, 2021
Expected starting date:Mar 15, 2022

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Description

The Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC), is looking for an international Team Leader (full time, f/m/x) for the project “Local Empowerment of Actors for Development in Shirak province of Armenia (LEAD4Shirak)”.

  1. Background and Introduction

The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) has been delegated by the European Union (EU) to implement a strategic project focusing on the development of Local Empowerment of Actors for Development in Shirak province of Armenia (LEAD4Shirak).

The 48-month project with a volume of EUR 4.4 Mio. started implementation in October 2020. To support the Coordination Office for Technical Cooperation of the Austrian Embassy, Yerevan (CO) in ensuring successful implementation of this project, ADA is recruiting an experienced International Team Leader based in Gyumri for a maximum of 36 months (including 3-month closure period).

The overall objective of the action is “to promote inclusive and sustainable growth and improved livelihoods of rural population in Shirak marz through support to community-driven local development initiatives and partnerships” by focusing on the following specific objectives:

Specific Objective 1: A sustainable mechanism for mobilising local actors for development according to the EU LEADER approach is set up in Shirak marz.

Specific Objective 2: The implementation of community needs-based projects according to the EU LEADER approach has been supported in Shirak marz.

Within the above objectives, the project envisages achievement of the following outputs:

Output 1: The regulatory framework and delivery system for CLLD/LEADER are effective in Shirak marz.

Output 2: At least two representative Local Action Groups (LAGs) have been established and are operational.

Output 3: Local stakeholders in at least two LAGs have elaborated an inclusive, gender-sensitive and sustainable multi-annual community-driven Local Development Strategy (LDS) and an Implementation Plan (IP) that represents the needs, interests and potentials of the local population.

Output 4: Local economic and social initiatives and innovations have been supported based on the priorities set up in the LDS and according to the grant and support scheme.

Output 5: LAGs and local stakeholders have been involved in lively exchanges, capitalising on the CLLD/LEADER approach and furthering its sustainable anchoring in the institutional fabric of Armenia.

Further background information and documents regarding ADC’s engagement in Armenia are available on our homepage www.entwicklung.at. 

  1. Detailed Terms of Reference

Under the overall supervision of the Head of CO in Yerevan, the International Team Leader will be responsible for detailed planning, initiating, facilitating and managing project activities and measuring performance and reporting on project results and outcomes. This position is based in the project office in Gyumri with frequent trips to Shirak marz (province) communities, the CO, and occasionally abroad.

The Head of the CO has the overall responsibility concerning all disciplinary, organisational and contractual matters of this employment. The CO Yerevan will oversee the project implementation on a regular basis. The International Team Leader will be responsible for overall project management, guidance and supervision of the project team. Close cooperation between the Project Management Team in the Gyumri project office, the CO office in Yerevan and the responsible Programme Manager in ADA Head Quarter (HQ) is required. Coordination and cooperation with local and regional authorities and institutions, Local Action Groups (LAGs) as well as with non-governmental partners, is a core task of the assignment.

  1. Specific Duties
  • Manage project implementation in close coordination with the Head of CO in Yerevan and the ADA Head Office (HO) in Vienna;
  • Assure overall results-based technical and financial management of the project (under the supervision of the ADA CO);
  • Perform contracting and supervision of delivery of external services and goods;
  • Regularly monitor and analyse the project environment and timely adjust the implementation as needed in line with EU and ADA regulations;
  • Lead and supervise the project team in Gyumri (approx. 8 staff);
  • Select short-term experts, provide overall coordination and monitoring of the experts’ performance;
  • Ensure compliance of procurement and grant award procedures with EU and ADA regulations;
  • Coordinate the project implementation and joint activities with projects implemented by UNDP/FAO and ICMPD in the neighbouring provinces;
  • Effectively liaise (serve as the project key liaison) with government counterparts and the EU Delegation, as well as with the project stakeholders, beneficiaries, other donors and the public to develop professional relationships;
  • Organize and coordinate Advisory Board and Strategic Steering Committee meetings and assure implementation of the project-relevant recommendations;
  • Ensure compliance with ADA’s Environmental, Gender and Social Impact Management (EGSIM) Manual
  • Coordinate monitoring and evaluation activities, analysis and aggregation of monitoring data collected;
  • Contract and support external audits and evaluations;
  • Regularly monitor potential risks as well as develop and implement risk mitigation measures;
  • Prepare regular project reports and coordinate the reporting process with the team of the CO Yerevan;
  • Ensure high EU and ADA visibility in line with the project’s communication and visibility plan;
  • Carry out any other duties as required by the supervisor;
  • Ensure the application of an EU like LEADER approach in the establishment of Local Action Groups (LAGs) and drafting of Local Development Strategies;
  • Coordinate the appropriate implementation of the grant scheme support in LAG areas
  1. Requirements and Qualifications
  • University degree in rural development, economics, business or public administration, development studies, or other related field; post-graduate degree (Master level or higher) is an asset;
  • At least 5 years in managing international development programmes and projects of similar scope and nature; successful experience with EU or ADC funded projects is considered an asset;
  • At least 5 years work experience in the rural development sector, preferably in the transition market economies;
  • Proven experience and successful track-record in results-based project/programme management (including monitoring and evaluation);
  • Sound understanding of donor procedures and rules applicable to funding received from large institutional donors, in particular with European Union external action;
  • Good understanding of the LEADER methodology and local development combined with proven ability of applying these principles;
  • Experience in local (economic) development and/or multi-level governance would be an asset;
  • Experience in the management of grant schemes for local development;
  • Understanding of international development cooperation principles and quality standards, including cross-cutting issues is highly desirable;
  • Excellent written and oral communication/reporting, representation skills in English are required; knowledge of Armenian or Russian is considered an important advantage; good German skills would be an advantage;
  • Demonstrated gender, diversity and environmental competence; ability to integrate the gender perspective into tasks and activities;
  • Proven management and leadership skills;
  • Full proficiency in Microsoft Office applications;
  • Ability and willingness to travel within Armenia and occasionally abroad;
  • Excellent interpersonal/social and communication skills;
  • Adherence to highest standards of ethics;
  • Valid driving license (category B) is an asset;
  • Self-motivation, decisiveness and hands-on mentality;
  • Ability to effectively coordinate a multi-disciplinary team of staff, experts and consultants;
  • Ability to work in multinational and multicultural environment.
  1. How to Apply

The assignment is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2022. Contract duration: 12 months, with the possibility for extension until project closure.

All applications are due by COB January 30th 2022 CET. If you wish to apply for this position, please submit your application (Cover Letter and CV as well as other relevant documents) via our E-recruiting system to www.entwicklung.at/ada/karriere.

Women are particularly encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence and no application fees or information with respect to bank account details are required by ADA for recruitment process. Please note that in the event of an invitation for an interview, ADA is unable to reimburse costs incurred. Candidates must expect that references from previous employers will be requested by ADA. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

To protect our employees and partners, candidates who are fully immunised against COVID-19 are preferred.