Project Director

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Project Director is responsible for implementing a high-quality, results-oriented project to strengthen government and civil society efforts to prevent child trafficking, increase the number of trafficking victims identified, and provide comprehensive, trauma-informed care to trafficked children as well as vulnerable children of migrant workers. 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The Project Director is responsible for overall project management, including achievement of goals, team management and grantee oversight. S/he will ensure that all agreement deadlines are met and targets are achieved; and coordinate and maintain working relationships with project stakeholders. This includes government ministries, departments, agencies, subgrantees and/or subcontractors, short-term technical experts, individuals with lived experience and relevant international programs and organizations. S/he will lead collaborative initiatives to ensure all approaches are sustainable and evidence-based. Essential responsibilities include: 

Provide overall leadership, management, and technical direction while ensuring alignment with the project's vision; Model Winrock's values and Code of Conduct to facilitate a productive and professional work environment; Lead strategic planning for the project, such as annual work planning and quarterly reviews and adjustments; oversee implementation of workplan activities and achievement of project targets; Represent the above-described project and Winrock to external stakeholders such as donors, local and national government entities, NGOs, and international community; Initiate and maintain accountability for required Leahy Vetting at least 60 days prior to any activities that will include participation of security forces or armed personnel; Establish and maintain effective collaboration with relevant government stakeholders to improve coordination and services by frontline agencies and service providers;  Support partners in reviewing protocols and streamlining child trafficking responses and referrals, implementing minimum standards of care, case management protocols and referral procedures;  Expand, strengthen, and oversee Survivor Advisory Group and Child CTIP Champions, including recruitment of new members, leading collaborative planning, ensuring timely and consistent communication, and addressing any support needs; Work with relevant partners to identify capacity gaps in child trafficking response, develop capacity development milestones, and provide technical assistance to implement capacity development plans; Oversee specialized training of government officials and civil society representatives on identification and trauma-informed comprehensive care for child trafficking; Work with subgrantees to implement activities and trainings at local level; With support from and collaboration with local and home office staff, prepare and submit high-quality, timely and accurate programmatic, financial, and other reports/deliverables; Lead timely, high-quality implementation of project activities that are demand-driven and align with donor objectives and project documents; Oversee monitoring and evaluation of project implementation, including pause and reflect sessions, after-action reviews, and continuous reflection and adaptation of project activities and approaches to ensure achievement of project objectives; Provide continuous technical assistance, support, and information to national and local government officials, partner NGOs, consultants, and project staff;  Oversee management of project budget (including monthly budget projections, Winrock institutional budgets) and expenditures in collaboration with home office and Regional Director of Finance and Operations Ensure that all financial activity is carried out in accordance with annual budget allocations, Winrock policy, and donor guidelines; Maintain close communication with Winrock home office and U.S. Department of State and provide ongoing updates of project progress; Supervise project staff, including delegating duties, providing regular feedback and annual performance evaluations, and implementing effective conflict resolution; Draft and translate relevant project documents and provide oral translation during meetings, workshops, etc. Other duties as assigned 

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education: Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree preferred in the field of law, social work, management, political science, public policy/administration, or a relevant social science discipline. 

Experience: 

At least 8 years' professional experience in in international projects, with at least 3 years of demonstrated managerial and/or team leadership experience managing to the highest ethical standards, on time and on budget; Strong technical background in human trafficking or child protection essential, preferably in international or regional projects funded by international donors;  In-depth knowledge and understanding of social, economic, political, and cultural context governing migration, human trafficking and child protection issues in Kazakhstan; Demonstrated team management skills; Financial oversight and budget management experience; Good track record of strengthening capacity and overseeing governmental and nongovernmental organizations; Experience with monitoring and evaluation; Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills, creative problem solving, conflict, and ethical management skills; Fluency in English and Kazakh and/or Russian is required. Excellent written and oral communication skills.

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