Project Description: About IFES:

 

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) supports citizens’ right to participate in free and fair elections. Our independent expertise strengthens electoral systems and builds local capacity to deliver sustainable solutions. As the global leader in democracy promotion, we advance good governance and democratic rights by providing technical assistance to election officials; empowering the underrepresented to participate in the political process; and applying field-based research to improve the electoral cycle. Since 1987, IFES has worked in over 145 countries – from developing to mature democracies. Job Responsibilities:  

 

·        PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE: 

 

The Special Assistant will support the President in all aspects of his day-to-day work including strategicinitiatives and partnerships external to the organization, and leadership andmanagement oversight within the organization.  The Special Assistant will have a holisticview of the organization’s business and will need to work in close partnershipwith leaders and staff across the organization to help execute strategic initiativesand operational priorities. The Special Assistant will routinely accompany thePresident to internal meetings and external engagements, as well as on domesticand international travel. 

 

 

 

The main responsibilities of the Special Assistant will be to helpprepare the President for his internal and external meetings and engagements (forexample, preparing and/or coordinating the preparation of briefing materials)and then ensure proper read-out of and follow-up to those meetings andengagements (for example drafting summaries of decisions, letters and emails).The Special Assistant will work closely and in partnership with other parts ofIFES and routinely interact with external partners and stakeholders. The SpecialAssistant will need to operate at a tactical, strategic, and operational level,often handling the oversight of projects that fall between different areas ofresponsibility.  

 

MAJORDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:    Scheduling and preparing the President for high priority meetings, including the coordination and preparation of briefing materials. Overseeing the Personal Assistant to the President and, in coordination with him/her, deciding on the President’s time allocation. Helping prepare follow-up on all Presidential meetings, engagements and travel. Taking meeting notes and tracking meeting follow-ups. Tracking and keeping the President informed of high priority initiatives and identifying any obstacles to their implementation Coordinating certain priority projects that require input from multiple areas within the organization.  Defining and researching new ideas and business opportunities.  Providing decision support through data gathering, information analysis, and options development.  Communicating on the President’s behalf with internal and external stakeholders.  Assessing inquiries directed to the President and determining the proper course of action.  Vetting requests for time and routing requests to other departments as appropriate.  

 

Other

 

·        Traveling with the President.

 

 

 

 

 

   Qualifications: POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

 

Education:Master’s degree (preferably in international politics, internationaldevelopment, political science or related field).

 

 

 

Experience: Minimum of 6 years’ experience in progressively more responsiblepositions.

 

 

 

Related Skills or Knowledge: Outstanding written and verbal communicator.Ability to work effectively with wide range of people across IFES and fromexternal parties.  Ability to prioritizeand oversee multiple activities in a fluid and dynamic environment. Ability toproactively identify risks and opportunities and develop approaches to mitigatethe risks and pursue the opportunities. Independent thinker willing to take initiative, share opinions, providefrank advice to the President.  Excellentjudgement and diplomatic skills.  Organized,effective time and resource manager. Proven experience organizing and directingmultiple projects with varying deadlines and stakeholders. Extremely versatile,dedicated to efficient productivity. High emotional EQ.

 

LanguageSkills: English required. Proficiency inanother language desired, not required.

 

 

 

Travel:Travel required up to 30% of time.

 

 

 

PHYSICALREQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT: Standardoffice work environment plus extensive domestic and international travel.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilitiesto perform the essential functions of the job.

 

 

 

OTHER: Subject to the interest of theselected person and demands of the job, time will be made available for theSpecial Assistant to work on areas of interest on which IFES is engaged.

 

 

 

“All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment/promotions and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. 

 

IFES takes affirmative action with respect to the employment and promotion of women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans.  IFES will also take affirmative action on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

 

 

 

IFES is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor”