West Africa: Program Consultant, Mano River Union

CONSULTANCY POSITION OPENING

Program Consultant, Mano River Union

Organization Description:

New Field Foundation (www.newfieldfound.org) contributes to the creation of a peaceful and equitable world by supporting women and their families to overcome poverty, violence, and injustice in their communities. Founded in 2003, New Field Foundation is currently focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa and operates in support of Tides Foundation's international grantmaking.

Based in San Francisco, CA, USA, New Field Foundation is an eight-person team comprised of staff and program consultants in the USA, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone. The Program Consultant for the Mano River Union is contracted by Tides Foundation to work with New Field Foundation.

Position Summary:

New Field Foundation is expanding and deepening its grantmaking to support rural women and their organizations, families and communities in West Africa through its Rural Women Creating Change program. We are seeking a Program Consultant for the Mano River Union, who is familiar with the realities and potential of rural women in the border region of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

A seven-month full-time contract is offered initially from June - December 2010. Key services for the first contract include: becoming familiar with New Field Foundation and its Rural Women Creating Change program; getting to know organizations in the Mano River Union focus area that currently receive New Field grants; reviewing grant reports and applications; carrying out grant assessment and analysis; writing up grant recommendations; and carrying out financial and office administration as a consultant.

The Program Consultant reports to and is guided by the Executive Director, and will have regular contact with other members of the New Field Foundation team.

Terms of Reference:

Orientation

Become familiar with New Field Foundation's mission, values and current strategic plan.
Develop understanding of Rural Women Creating Change goals, strategy and grantees, particularly in the Mano River Union focus area.
Become familiar with groups currently funded by New Field Foundation.
Become familiar with local advisors in the Mano River Union focus area and meet them, as appropriate.
Become familiar with grants administration processes and requirements.
(Preferably) Travel to San Francisco and/or Dakar for further in-person orientation, training and discussion.

Mano River Union Grantmaking

Provide commentary and analysis on relevant trends, actors and initiatives that impact rural women and their families in the Mano River Union border region, particularly on issues of food sovereignty, agro-ecology, peace building and the rights and status of rural women.
Develop two year plan with goals, approaches and results for the Mano River Union focus area that contribute to the overall goals of Rural Women Creating Change.
Review grant reports, invite renewal applications and draft renewal grant recommendations to the New Field Foundation Board of Directors. Visit grantee partners as needed.
Review initial information from groups seeking funding and determine relevance to New Field Foundation's Mano River Union strategy.
Review and process supplementary grants, particularly for participation in convenings and exchanges.
Administration

Communicate regularly with supervisor, including weekly check-in meetings.
Develop and monitor work plan to deliver contract services and inform supervisor of any discrepancy or challenges on a regular basis.
Participate in monthly team meetings to review institutional goals and priorities.
Develop and monitor budget for telecommunications, internet and travel. Track and submit expenditure reports, including submission of receipts.
Develop and maintain strong administrative systems, IT and telecommunications that meet SF office standards and requirements.
Arrange all travel logistics for local and international travel.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Strength of character and integrity with high level of commitment to rural women and their families in Africa.
Based in and familiar with the Mano River Union, with a strong understanding of the political, economic and social context of Guinea, Liberia and/or Sierra Leone, and the factors creating change for rural women, families and communities.
Practical knowledge and experience of working with rural women on issues of organizational development, leadership, networks, food sovereignty, agro-ecology, peace building, status and rights, and/or resource mobilization.
High competency to understand and interpret financial statements and budgets at organizational and project level.
Strong ability to review and analyze information and summarize findings.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and French. Local languages also preferred.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with a range of individuals at local, national and international levels.
Ability to be fair and objective, regardless of religious, ethnic, political, organizational and other affiliations.
Strong computer skills, including Word, Excel, and internet.
Strong planning, budgeting and administrative skills.
Availability to travel, including in hard-to-reach rural areas.
Education & Experience:

7+ years experience working with NGOs and/or CBOs, with a solid understanding of organizational development, financial management, program design and implementation, and monitoring.
Experience working with and reporting to international donors.
Experience working independently, preferably as a consultant.
Experience with grantmaking preferred.

Fees:

Consultancy fees are $18,000 - $20,000, based on full-time work for a seven-month period. The fees will depend on the candidate's experience and qualifications. The fee is inclusive of the consultant's basic administrative expenses, with the exception of telecommunications, internet and travel, which will be covered by New Field Foundation based on an agreed upon budget.

Application Instructions:

Only candidates who meet the above-stated qualifications will be considered. Your application must include the following:

Resume (in English or French).
Answers to the following three questions (no more than two pages overall):
a. Why are you interested in this job? (in English)
b. What strengths and skills would you bring to this position? (in French)
c. What would you find challenging or difficult about this position? (in French)
Contact details for three people who are willing to act as professional references for you.
How you heard about this opportunity.
Please submit your application to [email][email protected] with 'PCMRU application' in the subject line. The position is open until filled; however, we prefer to receive applications by March 20th. Selected finalists will be interviewed in-person in late April/early May in Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone, depending on the location of the candidates.