Background:

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The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) strengthens democracy around the globe through private enterprise and market-oriented reform. CIPE is one of the four core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy, and is an affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce. Since 1983, CIPE has worked to build the political, market and civic institutions vital to a democratic societies and private sector led economies. CIPE’s key program areas include anti-corruption, public governance reform, support of civil society, property rights, economic empowerment of at-risk communities, and opening political space in closed societies.

 

Through ongoing partnerships with the U.S. and Australian governments, CIPE is implementing a cutting-edge women’s economic empowerment program in Papua New Guinea. To help create a broader “entrepreneurial ecosystem” CIPE is operating a Women’s Business Resource Centre (WBRC) in Port Moresby,  integrating entrepreneurship into the curriculum of Papua New Guinean universities, and providing technical assistance in the launch and roll out of a women’s business agenda by the Business Advocacy Network (BAN). Additionally, CIPE has launched other thematic work in PNG with eye towards expanding in the Pacific as a region, such as corrosive capital and other anti-corruption projects. The WBRC is housed at:

 

Century 21 Building

Lot 51, Section 35, Kunai Street, Hohola

(PO Box 599)

Konedobu, NCD

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

 

Through its work with universities, CIPE is working to ensure that future generations of Papua New Guinean women will have the option of considering entrepreneurship as a career path. By providing technical assistance to PNG women’s business organizations, women in business now have a voice in economic policymaking. Additionally, CIPE is focusing on achieving inclusive growth by engaging and gathering the voices of the most vulnerable entrepreneurs in PNG who face significant challenges and barriers to growth.

 

In addition to programmatic work focused on improving the enabling environment for women in business, CIPE has begun other thematic work in PNG. CIPE uses the term ‘corrosive capital’ to label financing that lacks transparency, accountability, and market orientation flowing from authoritarian regimes to new and transitioning democracies. Assertive donor nations offer funding and development assistance not only exploit governance gaps in countries with weak or corrupt structures, but also make the gaps wider. CIPE’s approach to combatting the effects of corrosive capital in the Pacific region centers around identifying specific governance gaps and working with local partners to design and implement local projects to close the gaps, as well as to foster dialogue among civil society, the private sector, and lawmakers.

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Role Summary:

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     CIPE is seeking a full-time Deputy Country Director who will be responsible for supporting the growth of CIPE in Papua New Guinea and quality control of CIPE’s programs with strong focus on the WBRC. This will include playing a key role in managing CIPE PNG operations and programs and expanding community relations to increase existing business and to find new opportunities, especially for the WBRC. In particular, the Deputy Country Director will provide support to the PNG Country Director in supervising CIPE personnel and human resources, liaise with CIPE’s donors and stakeholders in the Pacific region, and report regularly to the Asia-Pacific team in Washington, D.C. The Deputy Country Director will also support the Country Director to promote CIPE’s mission and cultivate relationships that support the organization’s efforts to meet strategic goals. Under the direct supervision of the Country Director and in close collaboration with the local PNG team, the Deputy Country Director will provide leadership support across the full range of CIPE’s functions and responsibilities.

 

Primary Duties to be Performed:

 

Operations

• Work with the Country Director to manage local staff, including the establishment of performance and development goals, assigning responsibilities, settling of team objectives, submitting and reviewing timesheets in a timely manner, etc.

• Assist and facilitate the process of hiring local staff in collaboration with the Washington, D.C. Human Resources department.

• Facilitate coalition-building between community organizations and partners.

• Work with the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Specialist to produce and execute a program impact evaluation plan for each program as well as a set of overall office goals.

• Write, edit, and distribute a wide range of internal and external communication materials, including but not limited to blog posts, newsletters, website content, and presentations.

• Oversee weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports. Insure all are written and delivered professionally and on time. Contribute to writing and developing project final reports on time at the end of each program.

• Coordinate and promote internal and external events.

• Ensure compliance with donor guidelines and procedures when managing programs.

• Serve as the security point of contact, as well as the acting Country Director in the Country Director’s absence

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Strategy and Organizational Management

• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategy for accomplishing CIPE’s objectives on improving the entrepreneurial ecosystem for women entrepreneurs in PNG, serving as a key advisor to the PNG Country Director on all matters.

• Consult, strategize, and problem-solve with the Country Director and WBRC Manager on a regular basis to ensure the WBRC is successfully registered and on target to achieve sustainability.

• Create business development strategies and initiatives in collaboration with the CIPE Country Director and WBRC Manager.

• Develop and execute strategic communications plans to build visibility for the WBRC brand and communicate the Centre’s mission and impact to external audiences.

• Oversee business development initiatives and identify potential partnerships with donors, NGOs, government organizations and other stakeholders, and develop a strategy and action plan to communicate with potential partners

• Act as a point of contact with existing and potential donors, partners, government agencies, and relevant media platforms and/or events.

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Program Implementation

• Collaborate with the Country Director and the Asia team in Washington, D.C. to design, implement, and manage a portfolio of projects and grants in the Pacific, supportive of CIPE’s overall goals and strategies.

• Analyze, research, and be familiar with the Pacific region’s political and economic landscape and various stakeholders to develop project concept papers and proposals.

• Oversee program implementation and monitor project impact in collaboration with relevant CIPE team members and local partner organizations, maintaining reports, assessments, and records regarding CIPE’s programs.

• Ensure project deliverables are achieved within project deadlines.

• Collaborate with multiple CIPE departments to achieve programmatic goals, including Communications, Grants and Finance, and Policy and Program Learning teams.

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Financial Management and Oversight

• Participate in the program budgeting process, including the preparation of cash flow projections and forecasts.

• Maintain policies and procedures to effectively manage grants and contracts, providing support for compliance and donor and audit requirements.

• Assist in generating revenue for the WBRC in the form of venue rentals, membership fees, corporate sponsorship, or other revenue streams as identified in strategic business plans.

• Collaborate with the Finance Officer to review monthly financial reports for accuracy, proper coding, compliance, and reasonableness.

 

Key Qualifications:

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• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in international relations, trade, economics, business administration, public policy or related field required.

• Minimum ten years professional experience with strong project implementation and organizational management.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment and handle multiple detail-oriented tasks with limited supervision; ability to manage staff in such an environment.

• Demonstrated experience with leading organizational growth and expansion, and developing procedures and processes preferred.

• Financial skills and acumen required, particularly in budgeting and oversight.

• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to confidently engage with all levels of business professionals and clearly and effectively communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders. Must be able to articulate WBRC’s value proposition to empower prospective partners to support the Centre’s mission.

• Demonstrated ability to develop, establish, and maintain good relationships with stakeholders including international donors and partners.

• Experience developing and executing marketing and communications efforts to further visibility of organization and programs

• Fluency in English and Tok Pisin required, with excellence in English composition.

• Proficiency with necessary technology, including computers, software applications, phone systems, social media platforms (SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook), etc. Candidate should have experience using a computer system and phone system simultaneously.

• Strong skills in Microsoft Office, specifically MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and One Drive is required. Familiarity with telecommunications platforms such as Skype or Zoom is required.

• Ability to work with a sensitive nature with people of various cultures, languages, socio-economic status, age, religion, gender, sex, and disabilities.

• Working knowledge of the Pacific Islands, including professional experience and significant travel in the region.

• Must be eligible to work in PNG and based in Port Moresby.

 

Duration:

 

     This is a full-time position following successful completion of a 3-month probationary period. 

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To Apply: 

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     To apply for this exciting opportunity, please submit a resume or CV, a cover letter, and police clearance for the Business Support Specialist position posted under “Opportunities” at www.cipe.org. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

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