Jobs and Careers

TERM: 

Full-time

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking candidates for a Challenge Fund Manager to be based in Yerevan, Armenia. NEF is a non-profit international development organization that has supported livelihoods recovery and community-based economic development in the Middle East, Africa, and Caucasus since 1915. NEF draws on local teams, experience, and partnerships in these regions to create community-led solutions to improve livelihoods and local governance among conflict and crisis-affected groups, while maintaining neutrality and ensuring inclusiveness in its approach. Working through a network of country offices and local partners, NEF currently has operations in ten countries: Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. Its programs are organized around three pillars: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate-resilient Development, and Stabilization and Peacebuilding.

The Challenge Fund Manager is a key member of the Near East Foundation team in Yerevan, Armenia. This position will provide technical leadership for the STRIVE for a better future: communities and civil society resilience in Armenia programme. STRIVE aims to improve the resilience, sustainability, accountability, and capacity for innovation of Armenian civil society organisations (CSOs), enabling them to play a pivotal role in raising awareness, deepening democracy, and serving constituencies in Armenia, especially vulnerable populations.
Reports to: Project Director
Travel: 25-50% covering 11 Marzes
Contract Type: Fixed Term, Full Time

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The Challenge Fund Manager is responsible for overall cohesiveness of the STRIVE project’s challenge fund facilities (including: design, outreach, sub-grants, technical assistance, and monitoring) and ensuring inclusivity and accountability of the sub-grant projects. The position has the following specific responsibilities:
- Challenge Fund management: (a) Ensure cohesion between STRIVE grant-making facilities in coordination with NEF’s team and partners; (b) Support and follow up with sub-grantees to ensure compliance with the EU’s best practices on Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP); (c) Assess and coordinate capacity building support required by sub-grantees - e.g., financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and communications and visibility; (d) Oversee Field Officers’ coaching and support to sub-grantees;
- Inclusion: Oversee and ensure inclusiveness and diversity across STRIVE sub-grant projects;
- Do No Harm, conflict sensitivity, and accountability towards affected populations: (a) Assess the “do no harm” approach of sub-grantee projects to mitigate or manage any negative impacts; (b) Ensure regular engagement of and feedback from sub-grantees.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

The successful Challenge Fund Manager must be a self-directed individual with the following qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences (e.g., Political Science, Public Administration, Public Affairs, Civic Engagement), Media Studies, or a related discipline;
- At least 5 years of experience in the non-profit/ development or CSO sector;
- An understanding of the structure, constraints and functioning of CSOs, especially in Armenia;
- Experience providing capacity building related for grants management;
- Experience designing and overseeing sub-grant schemes, including setting up and providing guidance to selection committees for competitive grant processes;
- Fluency in Armenian language; working proficiency in English language.

Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a related field;
- Experience with digital curriculum development and delivering hybrid remote/ in-person training;
- Experience in supporting local and national Armenian CSOs or informal civic groups;
- Experience in promoting principles of diversity and inclusion;
- Experience in programming that prioritises participation and leadership of women, youth, people with disabilities, and other disempowered groups;
- Experience in EU regulations.

Position Criteria:
- Effective interpersonal and oral communication skills;
- Excellent written communication skills;
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team;
- Ability to complete assignments independently and/ or collaboratively, meeting project deadlines;
- Ability to take instructions and criticism constructively;
- Problem-solving skills;
- Ability to interact with project stakeholders in a professional and pleasant manner.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: 

NEF will accept rolling applications until the position is filled. Review of applications will begin on 14 November 2022. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

To apply:
Please apply by submitting the following documents in the English language on the Near East Foundation’s career page at: https://neareast.bamboohr.com/careers/257?source=aWQ9MjY%3D:
- Cover letter outlining relevant experience and availability;
- Curriculum Vitae;
- List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer).
Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at: www.neareast.org.

Please clearly mention in your application letter that you learned of this announcement through Career Center and mention the URL of its website - www.careercenter.am. Thanks.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: 

The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Employment Opportunities for all applicants seeking employment and NEF employees.