the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: ABA ROLI, Executive Director of BRRLN Secretariat (Consultant)

ABA ROLI is currently hiring for an Executive Director (Consultant) position to lead the sustainability efforts of the Macedonia-based civil society organization, the Balkans Regional Rule of Law Network (BRRLN).

Background: The Balkans Regional Rule of Law Network (BRRLN) seeks to strengthen the rule of law in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Serbia, by building mechanisms for collaboration and sharing best practices, tools, and knowledge among the region’s bar associations and justice sector civil society organizations (CSOs). The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), together with the regional bar association and CSO members, established BRRLN in 2014, and the Network was formally established as a Macedonian civil society organization in January 2017. The ABA ROLI-supported program seeks to build the capacity of the BRRLN Network and empower BRRLN members to develop and advocate for solutions to continued rule of law challenges in their countries. For more information on BRRLN please visit www.brrln.org.

Location: The Consultant will work together with Skopje-based ABA ROLI staff to carry out the duties of the Secretariat, which administratively supports the Mission of the Network. The Secretariat is also based in Skopje, Macedonia; however, we are currently accepting applications for the Executive Director (Consultant) position from each of the five countries in the BRRLN Network. Thus, the Executive Director (Consultant) can be based in Skopje, Macedonia, or in his/her place of residence within the five countries and thus work remotely.

Scope of Work: The Executive Director shall lead the Secretariat in performing the following duties:

1. Develop proposals for projects that would be undertaken by the Network (expected level of effort at 50%)
2. Conduct outreach with donors and engage in fundraising for BRRLN;
3. On behalf of the Network, accept project proposals or other activities proposed by BRRLN members that will be undertaken by the Network;
4. Draft financial and activity progress reports for donors, as required;
5. Work with Network members to draft a strategic plan and sustainability plan for BRRLN (activity to be held in the Fall of 2018);
6. Provide general administrative services to the Assembly, and the Governing Board of the BRRLN Network;
7. Report on BRRLN’s activities to the BRRLN Governing Board;
8. Facilitate and report on the election of the members of the BRRLN Governing Board;
9. Establish, maintain and develop communication with member organizations and other rule of law stakeholders in the region;
10. Support and promote the relationships between BRRLN members;
11. With the assistance of ABA ROLI staff for the duration of ROLI’s grant, coordinate BRRLN program and project activities, including the supervision of any implementing partners or subgrantees and BRRLN working groups (see BRRLN website for detailed information on working groups http://www.brrln.org/http/record.php?id=12&mv=33 );
12. Develop and maintain the BRRLN website (www.brrln.org); and
13. Perform any other tasks determined by the Governing Board.

Qualifications:

• University Degree in Law required. Master’s Degree in law degree preferred.
• Licensed Lawyer or at least five year experience with legal work in an organization;
• In-depth knowledge of the Balkan countries legal, legislative and judicial systems, policies and practices.
• Knowledge of fundraising (new business development), proposal writing and budgeting.
• Strategic planning, organizational management, and project design and management skills are preferred.
• Proven ability to work with governmental and judicial officials at different levels, and with civil society.
• Strong interpersonal and consensus building skills.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Strong leadership and teambuilding skills.
• Fluency in English (speaking, reading, and writing) is required. Knowledge of Macedonian, Serbian and/or Albanian is preferred.
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint is required.

Consultancy period: The position will be for a period until November 30, 2018, with a possibility to be extended until May 2019.

ABA ROLI is a non-profit program that implements legal reform programs in more than 50 countries around the world. ABA ROLI has nearly 500 professional staff working abroad and in its Washington, D.C. office. ABA ROLI’s host country partners include judges, lawyers, bar associations, law schools, court administrators, legislatures, ministries of justice and a wide array of civil society organizations, including human rights groups.

If you are interested in the position please sent us your CV and cover letter to katerina.nikolova@abaroli.org no later than July 30, 2018. Only the selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.