Careers and Opportunities

Program Officer, CSO Portfolio, Pacific RISE-CTIP, Palau

Location: Pacific Islands
Program area: Law and Justice
Deadline: January 7, 2024
Type: Independent contractor

This is a consulting opportunity open to Palau nationals only, with the possibility of transition to a staff position

Pacific Regional Initiative and Support for More Effective Counter-Trafficking in Persons (Pacific RISE-CTIP) project is a five-year project implemented by The Asia Foundation with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Pacific RISE-CTIP addresses trafficking in persons (TIP) through a holistic, multi-sectoral approach that engages an inclusive cross-section of PIC stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector to strengthen TIP prevention, protection, and prosecution.

Summary of Responsibilities

The program officer works closely with the Pacific RISE-CTIP chief of party in planning, implementation, and monitoring of activities; developing innovative and entrepreneurial approaches in delivering and expanding the Foundation’s program in counter trafficking in persons as well as identifying emerging issues and new opportunities for possible programming.

The program officer will handle the Palau civil society organizations (CSO) portfolio, closely coordinating and engaging with Pacific RISE-CTIP’s partner organizations from civil society organizations, consultants, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment with program objectives, timely delivery of outputs and compliance with USAID and Asia Foundation rules on expenditures and overall program management.

The program officer is also expected to work with the other program officers to deliver the team’s target results and to coordinate with the Foundation’s Finance and Administration unit on all logistical, administrative, and financial aspects of program and grants management related to the project.

Relationships

Internal

Regular interaction with the regional representative, chief of party, deputy chief of party, Palau program officer, other team members and staff and consultants involved in the program, the Pacific Islands Finance and Administration unit, other program units within the Foundation, as well as the Evaluation and Learning unit of the Foundation.

External

Regular contact with program partners, Pacific Islands stakeholders from government, civil society, and private sector working on TIP prevention, protection, and prosecution, as well as development partners and other implementers for information exchange and collaboration. Attendance in meetings, conferences, and external workshops as appropriate.

Accountabilities

Program Support and Management

Support the chief of party in the determination of project outputs, impact, overall project direction, and documentation of project activities.
Manage the relationship with USAID and Palau CSO stakeholders in support of the Palau counter-trafficking initiatives as aligned with the Pacific RISE-CTIP annual implementation plans.
Develop mechanisms for effective reporting of activities and other updates from the program areas and implementors and grantees.
Monitor project data, coordinate with project partners, and report the progress of activities based on approved work plan.
Track ongoing activities of partners/grantees, consultants, and other external service providers to ensure all program activities and reports are delivered at high quality, making the most effective and efficient use of program resources.
Provide program management coaching and assistance to partners/grantees as they implement program activities.
Interact with current and potential partners of the Foundation. forge collaborative and trusting professional relationships with all partners.
Participate in the organization of dissemination and facilitation of events as required.
Contribute to project-related research, including data collection, analysis, and report writing.
Draft letters of grant and amendments, letters of contract, and correspondence related to the project.
Conduct due diligence on subgrantees and subcontractors pursuant to donor conditions and regulations.
Support drafting of periodic reports either for the purpose of the Foundation’s internal reporting or for donor’s reporting requirements.
Monitor ongoing developments with the host government and stakeholders and provide regular feedback to the chief of party and deputy chief of party of broader context impacting program implementation.
Track activities of other organizations/development partners that are also implementing counter-trafficking in persons activities.
Contribute to the development of any materials and publications that will be produced by the Pacific Islands office.
Represent the Foundation in project activities as directed by the chief of party or deputy chief of party.
Assist the chief of party to ensure that the project activities are implemented in accordance with Asia Foundation and donor rules and regulations.
Perform other tasks as may be assigned from time to time.

Financial Management

Support the deputy chief of party and finance and grants manager in the monitoring of activities’ expenditures and targets.
Contribute to project budgeting and financial management.
Following Foundation policies and practices, ensure that all financial documentation related to project activities is prepared, updated, and settled, including supporting documents.

Representation

Participate in meetings and events with development and local partners, governments, businesses, and civil society organizations.
Contribute to articles, written materials, and documentation for publication.
Participate in Foundation meetings and other relevant professional forums and events.

Other Responsibilities

Comply with all grant and contractual requirements and related regulations and procedures.
Ensure compliance with the Foundation’s policies and practices.
Participate in Foundation-led initiatives as assigned.
Undertake any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education: Tertiary degree in the Social Sciences, International Relations, Law, or other related fields.

Experience

Minimum five years of relevant professional experience in international development in the Pacific with private, public, bilateral, or multilateral development institutions or nonprofit organizations.
Deep local knowledge and familiarity in some of the following: human rights, transnational organized crime, labor rights, or similar or related development projects, preferably in the area of counter-trafficking in persons.
Experience working with government and other stakeholders.
Strong research background.
Successful experience in partnerships and management of grantees and consultants.
Successful experience in program development and management: design, coordination, monitoring, reporting, and networking.
Experience in proposal and report writing, financial and grants management and budget control, strategic planning, fundraising, and managing international donor-funded projects.

Skills

Proven ability to work with respect and sensitivity to specific contexts.
Strong program management skills such as design, coordination, monitoring, and administration.
Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to perform and collaborate in changing project environments.
Strong network with government agencies, especially key institutions, local partners, and members of civil society working on human rights and counter-trafficking in persons.
Proven management, analytical, and research skills with strong problem-solving ability.
Excellent capacity to handle information with diligence.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills, including ability to work with cross-cultural teams and adaptability to developing country contexts.
Strong track record of working independently and in a diverse team environment.
Strong attention to detail and ability to multi-task.
Highly organized, proactive, energetic, and efficient.
Ability to travel domestically and regionally, including to remote locations.
Proficiency in using Microsoft applications and database management.
Knowledge of the programs and operations of The Asia Foundation or similar international development organizations would be helpful.
Knowledge of USAID or other international funding agency reporting requirements.

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