Senegal: Civic Engagement Specialist

Counterpart International helps people build better lives and more durable futures, community by community. We equip individuals, organizations and communities-our counterparts- to become solution creators in their own families, communities, regions and countries. We work with them in some of the world’s most challenging places to tackle social, economic, environmental, health and governance issues that threaten their lives and undermine their futures.
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SUMMARY:
Counterpart International is currently seeking a Civic Engagement Specialist to support its anticipated five-year, USAID-funded local governance project in Senegal. The project will build the capacity of local government in improving service delivery at the local level and will improve citizen engagement in good governance. The Civic Engagement Specialist will build the capacity of citizens and civil society organizations to collaborate with local government to improve service delivery and management in health, education, WASH, and food security and provide technical assistance and training to ensure that they can play an active role in monitoring and oversight of local government. The Specialist will be expected to interact regularly with local authorities, civil society leaders, media organizations, and international donors. This is a full time position based in Dakar, Senegal. Local candidates are encouraged to apply. This position will report to the Deputy Chief of Party.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provide technical leadership on citizen engagement in local decision-making processes and citizen monitoring and oversight mechanisms.
• Lead the development of program strategies, planning, and implementation of civic engagement activities across all project components.
• Build the capacity of civil society organizations in technical areas related to government accountability and oversight, including monitoring government expenditures, tender competitions, and service delivery.
• Support inclusive citizen and civil society organization engagement with local government through existing mechanisms for oversight and participation in governmental decision-making.
• Guide and ensure the highest quality of project monitoring, evaluation, reporting and communications, in line with USAID’s rules, regulations and requirements.
• Document implementation successes, challenges, and lessons learned and share them with Counterpart and USAID through regular program reports and online Knowledge Management portal.
• Provide mentoring and professional development support to project staff, with emphasis on building capacity of national staff.
• Deliver technical presentations on program achievements to audiences, including implementing partners, civil society organizations, government officials, USAID, and other relevant organizations.
• Ensure Counterpart’s best practices are institutionalized within the program and adapted to the local context.
• Other duties as assigned.
RequirementsQUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as international development, political science, public administration, or public policy.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in the civil society and governance development field, preferably in Senegal or West Africa.
• Minimum of four (4) years’ experience in strengthening citizen participation at the local level, preferably in Senegal or West Africa.
• Successful track record in advising local governments and civil society on citizen engagement and participation, including methodologies for oversight of local government.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with civil society, local government officials, civic leaders, media, private sector representatives, and international donors.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, oral and written communications skills, with keen attention to interpersonal skills and effective communication.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with diverse teams and building partnerships.
• Demonstrated commitment to gender integration and social inclusion, including women, youth, and PWDs.
• Fluency in French and minimum professional proficiency (level 3) in English required.
Preferred:
• Seven (7) years of experience in the civil society and governance development field, preferably in Senegal or West Africa.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Knowledge of local languages.
• Familiarity with USAID.

• Counterpart International is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of Counterpart International to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
• Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.

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