Myanmar: Myanmar Country Representative

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

AFSC is a Quaker organization founded in 1917, devoted to peacebuilding throughout the world. In Myanmar, we are seeking a Country Representative (CR) to work closely with established partners, build trust and continually strengthen programs, and offer leadership and experience.

The Myanmar CR is responsible for the direction and management of the Myanmar programs, staff and office of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). AFSC’s work in Myanmar includes the Pluralism program and the Business and Peace program. The Country Representative is responsible for the strategic development and direction of the Pluralism program as well as its day to day operation, and for implementation of the Business and Peace program in close cooperation with AFSC’s office in Beijing. The Myanmar CR serves as official representative of the AFSC, managing contacts with partners, with government ministries, UN agencies, local and international NGOs. The CR shall ensure compliance with Myanmar regulations and other administrative responsibilities. The CR will also source funding and act as the main contact for planning, monitoring and reporting on programs in Myanmar, and shall lead on regional Dialogue and Exchange activities as appropriate. As an active member of the Asia Leadership Team, the Myanmar CR provides strategic and creative support to AFSC’s broader work in the Asia Region.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES: The key responsibilities follow:

Program Development and Management

1. Continually develop the program strategies in Myanmar, in alignment with the Asia Region Strategy. Articulate within the strategy clear theories of change, identify baseline information for the selected indicators, and ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of the program work in relation to the indicators.

2. Collaborate regionally with other AFSC programs in ways to increase the impact of AFSC’s work beyond the country of implementation, building the knowledge and influence of partners and networks AFSC engages with. The cross-regional engagement will primarily be with the China Program and the Indonesia Program.

3. Participate in periodic program assessment with the Asia Leadership Team, the Global Quaker International Affairs Representative, the Associate General Secretary and with oversight Committees as part of formal evaluations

4. Continue to oversee registration of the offices with government agencies as needed, consistent with AFSC guidelines and in consultation with the Asia Regional Director.

5. Ensure fiscal management of supervised programs including oversight of budgeting and accounting procedures defined by AFSC and donor partners; preparation and timely processing of monthly financial reports; oversight of contracts and materials.

6. Prepare annual and semi-annual narrative reports, reports to appropriate government authorities, and regular correspondence and written reports to the Asia Regional Director.

Staff Management, Development and Support

1. Supervise program and support staff in Myanmar, including staff development, performance planning and review, and hiring as necessary. AFSC currently has an office of five staff in Myanmar, with additional consultants and fellows/interns at times. The CR is supported by the Myanmar Program Director, and shall work together closely with the Program Director for input on program implementation and management.

2. Cultivate a work environment that attracts and maintains a diverse and highly motivated staff.

3. Promote teamwork, common purpose, and continuous professional growth. Ensure that all staff are familiar with and work toward the long-term vision and strategic goals of AFSC and incorporate the organization’s values and principles in their work.

Financial Management and Fundraising

1. Maintain good stewardship of AFSC resources. Take full responsibility for the management of the Myanmar budget, including preparing annual budgets and grant budgets, as part of the program planning process. Monitor grant and larger program budgets, and recommend necessary action to meet budget requirements.

2. Explore opportunities for program funding and either lead on proposals or support development of funding proposals and annual budgets with the Regional Director and the Development Department in Philadelphia.

3. Ensure timely reporting to support funding applications; ensure compliance with donor funding requirements and accurate reporting on use of funds to donors.

4. Ensure that accounts are kept in a way that permits ready identification of the use of funds from specific sources, and is compliant with AFSC financial policies, procedures and auditing requirements.

Diversity and Inclusion

1. Consider accessibility and inclusivity in all program planning and program activities. Ensure no groups are excluded on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, religion, etc., unless an event or activity is deliberately designed for a specific group.

2. Ensure all internal policy and practice in the office reflect a commitment to inclusion, in terms of accessibility, recruitment and other policies and benefits. Continue to educate staff on AFSC’s commitment to inclusion and what this means.

3. Encourage partners to adopt inclusive policies, practices and considerations in all the activities they implement with AFSC support, and beyond, if possible.

4. Raise awareness in the region of AFSC’s commitment to equality, inclusion and respect for diversity.

External Representation, Outreach and Communication

1. Articulate AFSC’s basic principles/Quaker values as appropriate, with staff and partners, including the organization’s commitment to a nonviolent approach to conflict and long-term strategies for peacebuilding.

2. Coordinate visits by representatives of donor agencies and other AFSC – related programs or partners. Provide quick and timely information to AFSC and to donor representatives on key developments or events in the region as they are related to or affect AFSC work.

3. Prepare written materials, testimonies or analysis in coordination with the Regional Director, local partners, and the Communications Department as appropriate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: At least Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience in lieu of a Master’s degree, in one of the following critical areas: international affairs/relations, policy formulation and advocacy, peace and conflict resolution, development studies, Asian studies.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Three years living and working preferably in Myanmar, but certainly in Asia.

2. Five or more years of senior-level experience in peace practice, preferably in Myanmar.

3. Experience in informal/quiet diplomacy, pluralism and religious tolerance expertise.

4. Conflict analysis, conflict resolution and transformation, mediation, and multi-party dialogue. Understanding of the history, politics and cultures of the region.

5. Experience with regional and global political and economic institutions and their roles in peace, conflict prevention and resolution, and development in in Asia.

6. Demonstrated leadership experience in program and budget development and management.

7. Demonstrated experience in staff and team supervision, development including use of coaching and mentoring techniques.

OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.

2. Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of the AFSC regarding issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with a diversity of colleagues and partners.

3. Demonstrated knowledge of relevant political and socio-economic history and context; an understanding of the causes of conflict and divisive issues in Myanmar, and more broadly in Asia. Experience in work with Myanmar civil society preferred, especially the ability to build trust across lines of conflict and in exchanges with high-level leadership and community-based groups and individuals.

4. Discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

5. Demonstrated self-motivation, proactive and able to work with minimum supervision, to deadlines.

6. Experience in strategic thinking, program planning and implementation. Ability to work independently in an unstructured setting yet within a framework of careful communication, consultation, and decision-making.

7. Ability to travel frequently, to cope in situations of high risk and to comply with security measures and policies. Willingness to work some evenings/weekends as necessary for the program schedule, and to travel frequently within Myanmar.

8. Fluency in written and oral communication in English and preferably in Burmese/other languages of Myanmar.

Compensation:Salary Range starts at $62,265 – Exempt – AFSC provides a comprehensive salary which includes a country differential and savings (available for assignments of at least six months). For appointees with children, reasonable school costs are also covered, and each child is eligible for savings allowance. Note: country differential and school costs only apply to staff who are living in a country that is not their home country. Benefits and insurances provided by AFSC are dental care, group life insurance, health, short and long-term disability, accident, and high-risk insurances. Emergency evacuation and business travel insurances are also provided.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity**,** sexual orientation or disability.

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is not represented.

The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.

To apply, please visit https://www.afsc.org/job-center and complete an online application.