The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.
The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.
The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security. The ABA’s wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.
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The Country Representative (CR) is responsible for the implementation and overall management of all aspects of one or several programs. The CR has the leadership role in overseeing field-based program staff and compliant high-quality program(s) implementation, focused on achieving program goals. S/he will lead the country team’s coordination of activities with all relevant actors, including donor(s), host government representatives, key stakeholders, and implementing partners.
The CR may also oversee the management and performance of sub-awardees for results-oriented planning, leadership, and coordination of program activities in collaboration with the Program Management Unit (PMU) Lead.
In close collaboration with the PMU lead, the CR actively participates in business development efforts, capturing needs, liaising with stakeholders and donors, drafting proposal pieces for the HQ team review, providing technical input on concept notes and proposals responsive to the unique legal, political, and operational climate of the assigned country(ies).
The CR is responsible for managing all personnel under her/his/their authority including ensuring compliance with all ABA policies and systems.
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities
- Manages all facets of the international development program cycle, from assessment or inception to design, implementation, and evaluation.
- Actively applies knowledge of international development industry practices, actors, and trends as well as expertise in rule of law and/or adjacent fields to design and implement international programs and interfaces effectively with donors, headquarters staff, and local counterparts.
- Applies fundamental program management principles, practices, and standards and knowledge of the program cycle, from assessment to design and implementation through evaluation in the management of technical and financial aspects of programs.
- Provides flexible, adaptive, and responsive leadership and management for the program(s).
- Represents ABA CGP in presentations/briefings to donors, government officials, partners and law practitioners, both within and outside of the host country.
- In close consultation with the PMU lead, is actively involved in the startup and close out of multi-year field programs, which might include sub-awardees, on schedule. Manages technical and financial aspects of programs to meet targets while effectively utilizing donor funds.
- Sets a high standard for accountability and quality in program performance and reporting. Ensures processes for monitoring and reporting are in place for successful implementation. Regularly reviews progress reporting against targets. Emphasizes tracking of progress against accomplishment of program outcomes. Approves data for reporting period in assigned country(ies) in accordance with all ABA policies and systems.
- Sets an example for the program in seeking evidence and incorporating evidence in decision making. Ensures program data is used for reflection and adaptations are proposed based on learning. Provides senior manager level review to evaluation and learning deliverables of the program.
- Maintains in-country donor relationships and leads donor and key partner conversations on important programmatic activities in collaboration with headquarters team. In collaboration with the Program Management Unit (PMU) lead, develops strategic partnerships and establishes and enhances effective collaboration and relationships with local entities and other development partners (e.g., local bar association, law schools, NGOs, civil society, governmental agencies, UN, INGOs, etc.) to fulfill program objectives within cost constraints.
- Stays abreast of latest innovations in rule of law programming or adjacent fields. In close collaboration with the PMU lead, meets with new and potential donors and staff to assess ABA ’s opportunity for new programming, either through expansion of current agreements or development of new agreements.
- Under PMU Lead’s close guidance actively seeks and captures new business opportunities in the assigned country(ies) and keeps HQ staff informed about them. Works with the PMU and BD team to provide input and advice for the development of technical proposals for grant/contract applications. Contributes to technical and cost proposals.
- In collaboration with the PMU lead, trains program staff and external stakeholders on ROL and/or adjacent issues related to the program(s) managed.
- Reviews and advises on program activities to produce weekly updates, monthly reports, website updates, annual reports, and periodic program highlights.
- Drafts, reviews, and manages budgeting and financial reports for field office staff and operations. This includes but is not limited to Expense Reports, timekeeping systems, HQ financial reporting and requests, and budgets for cost extensions, and new programs. Ensures that financial reporting requirements and deadlines are met. Exhibits ethical financial decision making in all aspects of operations.
- Oversees the local workforce to ensure that they adhere to ABA policies, systems, and procedures related to compliance requirements. Applies donor rules and regulations, as well as the terms or conditions set forth by the donor found in the cooperative agreement/contract.
- Oversees the development of a diverse, skilled, and productive workforce, an effective leadership team, as applicable and an organizational culture where ABA's values are practiced.
- Works in tandem with HR Division on all staff matters, ensuring adherence to ABA HR policies, processes and practices. Keeps abreast of local employment laws and HR trends in the assigned country(ies). Manages staff and is responsible for staff performance evaluations, oversees staff timekeeping, is responsible for recruitment efforts in the assigned program(s).
- Ensures staff are aware and follow the labor law requirements set forth in the Local Office Policy Manual (LOPM) and is responsible for enforcement of the standards contained in the document.
- Ensures adequate oversight of HR matters, follows established recruitment processes and maintains sound HR practices, including management of HR files and Personally Identifiable information (PII), maintaining accurate time and attendance records; enforcing open and transparent recruitment processes; etc.
- Applies applicable GESI policies in the recruitment, management and retention of staff.
- Reviews and approves the program(s) procurement documents following ABA procurement requirements. Understands and applies procurement industry standards and best value for goods and services.
- Ensures adherence to safety and security protocols including a basic understanding of cyber security principles. Ensures staff are aware of and follow the safety and security protocols set forth in the Field Office Security Manual (FOSM). Carries out active drills and security protocols in collaboration with the PMU and HQ Security Director.
- Maintains an awareness and understanding of the economic, political, social, and security trends that have potential to impact the office's operations and technical programing. He/She/They shall be prepared to implement mitigation measures to minimize the impact on operations and technical programming.
- Performs other related duties, as required.
Required Education, Qualifications, Experience
- Bachelor's degree in relevant area.
- At least 6 years of professional experience in an international development setting with at least 4 years of people management experience.
- Prior overseas experience with managing a similar size program(s)/portfolio.
- Has prior experience working as an international development professional abroad in a leadership role in more than one jurisdiction.
- Intermediate levels of knowledge and skills in financial management, HR, and compliance with the relevant donor policies and regulations.
- Knowledge of and experience of MEL practices and systems.
- Demonstratable experience in supporting or leading business development efforts and proposal writing.
- Experience in supervision of teams of individuals from different backgrounds and skillset.
- Ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize data, and evidence from programmatic activities and external sources to oversee all activities and lead high level technical presentations on subject matter expertise.
- Excellent written and spoken English language skills with the ability to produce weekly updates, monthly reports, website updates, annual reports, periodic program highlights and business development concept notes and/or proposals.
- Intermediate levels of understanding of the program(s)/portfolio subject matter expertise.
- Experience starting up and closing out field programs.
- Previous experience applying FAR, acquisition regulations, or CFR 200 to donor-funded programs successfully.
Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience
- JD or MA in a relevant area. Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school or master’s degree in a relevant area. NOTE: If the law degree is from a non-U.S. law school, the degree may not be required to be from an ABA-accredited law school.
- 8 years of professional experience in an international development setting.
- At least 6 years in a leadership position.
- Relevant country or regional experience and language skills.
- Previous experience in managing similar size programs/portfolio with USG donors.
- Has written publication-ready pieces on rule of law issues and/or adjacent fields.
The American Bar Association is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with the American Bar Association, please call 312-988-5188.
How to apply
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