Project Director - KATCH

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.