Senegal: Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE FOR WEST AFRICA The Board of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) seeks an Executive Director for OSIWA.

The Foundation Established in December 2000, OSIWA is part of the global network of
32 autonomous foundations founded and supported by George Soros. OSIWA is dedicated to supporting the creation of open societies in West Africa marked by functioning democracy, good governance, rule of law, basic freedoms, and widespread civic participation. OSIWA believes that it best serves by sustaining innovative and catalytic initiatives that add value to the efforts of West Africa’s civil society. OSIWA seeks to collaborate with advocacy groups, like-minded foundations, governments and donors. OSIWA further recognizes the importance of incorporating global developments in building open societies and seeks a greater commitment to the region by rich nations. OSIWA serves the
15 members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as Cameroon, Chad and Mauritania. The ECOWAS members are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. For further information visit www.osiwa.org Job Summary and responsibilities The Executive Director, who will be based in Dakar, Senegal, will be responsible for directing and managing the OSIWA office and providing leadership and acumen to all aspects of program development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation to achieve the foundation’s objectives. The Executive Director should have a demonstrated commitment to open society values, excellent understanding of the social and political context of West Africa and familiarity with organizations and networks in the West Africa region.

The responsibilities of the Executive Director include but are not limited to the following:
o Provide strategic direction and systematic planning for the foundation; o Provide overall management and be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the foundation including staff management and evaluation, and the development and maintenance of administrative procedures and principles; o Work cooperatively and collaboratively with many national, regional and international stakeholders to promote and sustain the mission of the foundation; o Provide supervisory assistance to an international team of professional staff in a dynamic work environment; o Assist the Board of Directors in developing policy to achieve the mission of the foundation; o Direct and implement programs in accordance with the mission and values of the organization; o Oversee the foundation's annual budget and perform overall management and oversight of all financial activities of the foundation, establishing adequate controls over expenditure at program and administrative levels and ensuring regular and accurate audits and reporting on financial matters.

Qualifications The candidate must have o An advanced degree in business administration, human rights, economics, management, political science, development policy, public administration or related fields; o 10 years relevant experience; o Relevant experience in policy-oriented work at national and international levels; o Proven skills in proposal and budget development and management supervision and leadership; o Human resources management skills and international staff experience, field experience and proven experience in crisis management; o Excellent negotiation, representation, networking and communication skills o the ability to lead and manage a team; o Experience and proven skills in creative thinking and strategic planning as well as demonstrated sensitivity to people and issues of the region; o Written and oral fluency in English and French required; knowledge of Portugese will be an advantage.

To Apply Please send a copy of your CV with a cover letter including three references and two original writing samples one of which should be in English and the other in French to The Board Chair, c/o A. Tejan-Cole and Associates, Cardinal Chambers, 40 Rawdon Street, Freetown, Sierra Leone or send the same via email to [email][email protected] or [email][email protected] closing date for the submission of applications is 30th April 2004.