Counterpart International is currently seeking a Civil Society Technical Expert for the anticipated USAID Civil Society Program in Kyrgyzstan. This activity will be a multi-year multi-million program focused on increasing citizen engagement, and civil society resiliency in Kyrgyzstan by enhancing capacity of civil entities to advocate for changes across issues that resonate local communities’ priorities. The Expert will provide technical leadership in working with civil society actors either in Kyrgyzstan or in Central Asia.

The candidate should have proven experience in civil society strengthening as well as knowledge in the development of approaches to improve civil society actor’s ability to identify and support community needs and advocate for government responsiveness and accountability. The Expert will provide technical guidance and support to program staff, regional and local CSO partners, and represent the Program at conferences and workshops This is a full-time position that will report to the Chief of Party of the Program.

• Serve as Program’s technical leader in civil society engagement, including capacity development or collective action and advocacy for local and regional organizations through the development and implementation of new tools and cutting-edge methodologies.
• Remain fully apprised of current trends and best practices in the technical area, including the challenges of CSO sustainability, advocacy campaigns and policy development and support its integration into program activities’ design and implementation.
• Advise technical design of approaches to ensure civil society safety and effective engagement of partners in meeting program needs.
• Provide trainings to partners, civil society stakeholders and others on civil society engagement approaches, methodologies or tools as needed.
• Work collaboratively with program staff to meet program needs and objectives of activities.
• Support the development of technical deliverables of the program.
• Provide technical support, in close collaboration with Home Office and Field Office teams.  Design and implement strategies to build the organizational capacity of local partners.
• Represent Counterpart at client and stakeholder forums, including presentations and public events, ensuring Counterpart’s continued representation as a leader in the civil society development and enhancement sector.
• Potentially support proposal design efforts as needed and when appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Advanced degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Political Science, Governance and Civil Society and/or other related fields.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience working on civic social strengthening programs, preferably in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia.
• Experience implementing USAID or USG funded programs in Kyrgyzstan or Central Asia.
• Experience designing and/or implementing civil society programs that support civic engagement, CSO organizational capacity development, and/or advocacy for local community needs responsiveness and public accountability.
• Experience with Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and program planning, implementation and reporting.
• Ability to produce high quality deliverables throughout the project cycle from planning, management, and execution to troubleshooting.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and deliver quality outputs.
• Experience with adaptive management approaches preferred.
• Strong and demonstrated inter-personal skills, sound judgment, ability to work with diverse teams.
• Fluency in English and Russian required. Proficiency in Kyrgyz preferred.

Counterpart is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. 

Accessibility Notice: If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to recruiting@counterpart.org. Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.

Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.