National Democratic Institute
Job Function: International
Department: Asia
Location: Taiwan
Country Representative — Asia/Pacific – Taiwan
Job Description
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) Country Representative oversees the implementation of its democracy and governance programs based in Taiwan. The Country Representative oversees all aspects of programming, staff, and office management, including implementation of program activities, managing grants (local and regional-focused), providing leadership to a talented and experienced team in-country, and ensuring compliance with financial policies and procedures.
The position is based in Taipei, Taiwan and will require regular travel within the country and across the Asia-Pacific region. The Country Representative serves as principal liaison with political and civic leaders, local and regional program partners, and representatives of the international community using a high degree of professional judgment, political analysis and objectivity for the successful leadership of NDI’s programs.
The Country Representative reports to the Regional Director for Asia-Pacific (based in Washington DC). This position works closely with teams based in Washington, DC who provide strategic guidance and day-to-day support for activities in the region as well as functional advice/strategy. The Country Representative also serves as the primary local authorized representative to Taiwanese authorities and stakeholders for other regional programs based in Taiwan. In addition, the Country Representative supervises and provides oversight of regional support roles placed in Taiwan.
Applicants for this position must have the ability to live and work in Taiwan without visa sponsorship. High fluency in Mandarin-Chinese is required.
Responsibilities:
- Provide in-country leadership for NDI’s programs in Taiwan and oversee day-to-day activity implementation and operations. Ensure collaborative leadership and oversight of a country/regional team, ensuring accountability in the execution of program activities and management of operations and local staff based on established institutional procedures, local laws, donor regulations, and best practice
- Manage staff based in-country, including hiring, performance reviews and staff development, and adherence to human resource policies
- Ensure program compliance with donor requirements with regards to work plans and performance monitoring plans, and respect of procedures to ensure the integrity of all financial transactions
- Serve as principal liaison between NDI and program donors, Taiwan government officials, legislators and staff, local nongovernmental organizations, and the media
- Establish and maintain working relationships with Taiwan government officials, local and regional civil society organizations, and other program partners
- Report on political developments in Taiwan and across the region that may affect program outcomes to the Washington, DC-based staff on a regular basis
- Design and conduct training workshops and one-on-one consultations for legislators, and civil society groups
- Manage the development, review and timely submission of program-related materials, including regular reports that measure and evaluate program progress
- Work closely with NDI headquarters and operations and risk management personnel to assess and coordinate appropriate security and risk management measures for the Institute’s program operations across Taiwan
- Adjust programmatic activities based on changing local and regional political circumstances and in response to needs articulated by local partners and program stakeholders, and in consultation with donors
- Coordinate with NDI headquarters for developing proposals, budgets, work plans, and reports and ensure documents reflect NDI priorities, strategy, needs and objectives; collaborate with NDI functional teams on key thematic strategy areas/issues (i.e. Civic Technology, Transparency and Accountability in government, Anti-Corruption, etc.)
- Represent NDI and its programs at local and international public events and functions
- Assist in identifying and securing additional funding for NDI programs, including local funding and cost-share
- Build the capacity of NDI staff to play a substantive role in program development and implementation
- Serve as an authorized representative under NDI’s registration in Taiwan for local and regional programs, including programs housed in Taiwan but not under the management of the Taiwan team. The authorized representative role can include operational, registration, administrative, legal, and other support functions.
- Provide oversight of regional support roles to ensure overall adherence to job responsibilities and labor compliance
- Advise and assist with NDI regional convenings held in Taiwan
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in international relations or a related subject; Master’s degree or higher preferred
- A minimum of Twelve (12) years of program management experience overseeing international development programs, preferably in the field of democracy and governance, and at least five in a senior leadership role
- Substantial work experience in multiple disciplines of democracy development, including parliamentary strengthening, elections, and civil society development
- Senior-level program management experience, including proposal and work plan development, strategic planning, office operations and the management of fiscal and human resources
- Prior management and implementation of international development programs funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Department of State Bureau of Human Rights, Democracy and Labor (DRL) and other donors preferred.
- Sound political and negotiation skills, and extensive experience in working on complex programs and political issues
- Ability to live and work in a challenging political and economic environment;
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior political and civil society leaders as well as members of the donor and diplomatic community
- Exceptional interpersonal and managerial skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, funders, and policy-makers
- Ability to adjust programmatic activities based on changing political circumstances and in response to needs articulated by local partners and program stakeholders
- Experience with Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Google Drive, G+, etc.)
- Ability to motivate and inspire a diverse group of professionals in a challenging environment, instilling a strong sense of mission and team work to program implementation
- Demonstrated ability to conduct and apply sophisticated political analysis to programmatic activities; knowledge of political processes and actors of Taiwan preferred
- Superior oral and written communication skills in English and Mandarin-Chinese
- Ability to work in a highly challenging and stressful environment
- Ability and willingness to travel to regional locations
ADA Notation:
The physical demands and work environment that have been described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Comment:
NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). As such, NDI makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state and local laws. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify NDI’s Human Resources department.
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