Project Associate - USAID Safe Migration in Central Asia (SMICA), Kyrgyz Republic

POSITION TITLE: Project Associate  

LOCATION: Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic 

GROUP: Human Rights, Education and Empowerment 

REPORTS TO: Country Director 

GENERAL: 

Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunities, and sustain natural resources. By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock is increasing long-term productivity, equity, and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged of the world. 

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Project Associate will support the Country Director in the implementation of the USAID-funded Safe Migration in Central Asia – Kyrgyz Republic project. The goal of the project is to strengthen the mutual accountability of all stakeholders to become more self-reliant in efforts to prevent trafficking in persons (TIP), protect survivors, and promote safe migration processes in the Kyrgyz Republic. The Project Associate will ensure quality programmatic and administrative support, including liaising with subgrantees; organizing events and activities; assuring filing and documentation per Winrock and donor requirements, and drafting communication materials and reports; with guidance from the Regional MEL Officer, and under the direction of the Country Director, the Project Associate will oversee MEL activities and conduct monitoring and quarterly reporting on progress towards targets. MEL activities will include maintaining the MEL Plan, data management, quarterly analysis, learning, and any project assessments. 

Position This position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Program: 

• Support Country Director in planning, executing documenting project of country-level activities, including managing logistics and providing administrative support; 

• Assist Country Director in communication with stakeholders including government institutions, NGOs, international and private sector partners; 

• Draft and translate relevant project documents and provide oral translation during meetings, workshops, etc.;  

• Assist in capacity strengthening of partners and grantees;

• Ensure that gender and inclusion considerations are integrated in all planning, execution and monitoring of activities. This includes equitable access to activities for men and women and age-specific approaches to reach children and youth, applying Winrock’s safeguarding policies;

• The Associate will also support the Country Director in engaging with and collaborating with the survivor advisory group, providing space and adjustments for survivors to be able to contribute to activities’ design, co-implement them when they are interested and support MEL processes;

• Support project communications plan and protocols for documenting, reporting and sharing progress and results; as well as monitoring and measuring the effect of communication efforts; 

• Produce information sheets, updates, success stories, and other materials, utilizing infographics and visuals; 

• Ensure project compliance with the approved Branding Strategy and Marking Plan, including the compliance of subgrantees;

• Serve as GESI focal point and ensure GESI perspectives are included into the project activities;

• Maintain updated and accurate programmatic filing system; 

• Assist Country Director in preparing work plans, narrative reports, briefs, presentations, talking points, etc.  

• Other duties as assigned 

MEL: 

• Work with Winrock International Regional MEL Officer and Winrock HO MEL Specialist to amend, as necessary, the MEL Plan; 

• Oversee updates of the project MEL Management Information System;  

• Collect, verify and input performance project indicator data, working in collaboration with Winrock International Regional MEL Officer; 

• Support monitoring and assist subgrantees in the implementation of their activities;  

• Implement the AMELP processes, and activities with input and assistance from the Country Director and Regional MEL Officer, verify and input performance project indicator data; 

• Contribute to the Program Team’s Data Quality Assurance exercises in coordination with HO MEL Specialist and/or MEL Officer;  

• Assist MEL Officer in preparing regular CLA workshops; 

• Other duties as assigned 

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND: 

• Bachelor degree from a recognized and accredited university in law, development, international relations or other related field of study; Master’s degree preferred 

• At least 4 years of experience working in development projects, preferably in a relevant field (trafficking in persons, migration, rule of law, access to justice, social and child protection, etc.);  

• USAID or other international donor experience preferred  

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to be flexible, responsive, and confident in interfacing with staff members and external stakeholders to accomplish tasks 

• Strong problem-solving skills and sense of responsibility in seeing tasks through to completion 

• Excellent working knowledge of office software packages including Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, SharePoint, and PowerPoint 

• Excellent attention to detail, ability to organize, and to meet deadlines 

• Familiarity with US Government MEL requirements strongly preferred 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in Kyrgyz and English required 

To apply a candidate should email a current CV and cover letter referencing Kyrgyzstan Project Associate by September 30, 2024 through online application platform: Job Openings - Winrock International

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and Winrock reserves the right to make an offer prior to the closing date for applications. Applicants are thus encouraged to submit their applications at the earliest opportunity.

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes and compensates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law.

At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.

Winrock knows that its success comes from the hard work and steadfast dedication of its diverse workforce. Winrock remains committed to maintaining diversity, inclusion and equity across the entire organization