Program Manager, Malaysia (Consultant) | ReliefWeb - 2015

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) is an international development program that promotes the rule of law by working with in-country partners to build sustainable institutions and societies that deliver justice, foster economic opportunity and ensure respect for human dignity. In collaboration with our in-country partners—including judges, lawyers, bar associations, law schools, court administrators, legislatures, ministries of justice, and human rights and civil society organizations—we design programs that are responsive to local needs and that prioritize sustainable solutions to pressing rule of law challenges. ABA ROLI has roughly 700 professional staff working in the United States and abroad, including a cadre of short- and long-term volunteers and legal specialists, who in fiscal year 2013 alone contributed $3.9 million in pro bono assistance.

JOB SUMMARY

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative seeks a Program Manager for an anticipated one-year program building lawyers’ capacity to promote religious freedom and tolerance in Malaysia. The Program Manager will be the sole field-based staff member for the program and will be responsible for day-to-day program implementation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Program Manager will be responsible for day-to-day implementation of an anticipated program, with backstopping support from ABA’s Washington, DC staff. In this capacity, the Program Manager will undertake the following activities:

• Maintain relationships with local partners, including overseeing subgrant agreements, mentoring partner organizations, providing support for program activities, and reviewing financial and program reports;


• Build and maintain relationships with domestic and international experts on freedom of religion;


• Advise on specific substantive legal issues, political situation, and legal strategies;


• Conduct basic financial and administrative tasks necessary for a small field office.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and skills:

• Law degree and at least 4 years of experience using legal strategies to promote human rights through domestic legal systems;


• Familiarity with comparative approaches to promoting human rights and international law protections;


• Deep understanding of religious freedom issues in Malaysia


• High degree of discretion and experience working on politically sensitive topics;


• Connections with members of the legal community in Malaysia;


• Excellent cross-cultural communication and coordination skills;


• Ability to work independently and solve problems with minimal oversight;


• Fluency in English;


• Strong background in grant management, including knowledge of USG grant regulations (preferred);


• Experience working with civil society organizations (preferred);and


• Understanding of basic accounting principles (preferred).