Program Manager, Kazakhstan

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) strengthens democracy around the globe through private enterprise and market-oriented reform. Since 1983, CIPE has worked with business leaders, policymakers, and civil society to build the institutions vital to a democratic society. CIPE’s key program areas include enterprise ecosystems, democratic governance, business advocacy, anti-corruption & ethics, and trade.

Position: Program Manager, Kazakhstan 

Reports To: Deputy Director, Europe and Eurasia 

CIPE is seeking a full-time position based in Astana, Kazakhstan or Almaty, Kazakhstan for a Program Manager, Kazakhstan, to work under the US Department of State-funded “Improving the Business Environment in Central Asia” (IBECA) program and the “Equipping Central Asian Business to Navigate Global Economic Security Issues” program, funded by UK International Development.  

IBECA supports private sector-led advocacy for business environment reforms with particular focus on building the private sector’s capacity to access finance, identify opportunities for US investment, and facilitate regional networks and international connections to attract the US and international investments. The Program Manager, Kazakhstan will support the promotion regulatory reforms to improve the business climate and support private sector-led economic growth by strengthening the capacity of private sector actors to identify and advocate priority issues. Specifically, the Program Manager for Kazakhstan will support program management and implementation and development of a national roadmap of policy reform measures and implementation recommendations from the field and represent CIPE in Kazakhstan in coordination with local partners and project beneficiaries.  

Duties and responsibilities 

• Design, implement, and manage a portfolio of projects for the assigned region, supportive of CIPE’s overall goals and strategies for target countries. Project responsibilities have the following dimensions:  

• Develop project concept papers, proposals, reports, and correspondence. 

• Act as CIPE’s representative to promote market-oriented institutional reforms in the region including developing and implementing training programs, public speaking at events, and facilitating meetings with partners, potential partners, and other stakeholders. 

• Analyze, research, and be familiar with the region’s political and economic landscape, identifying opportunities for CIPE programs and partners.  

• Identify potential partner organizations and beneficiaries in country and collaborate to design effective programs.  

• Implement, monitor, and manage all project activities, in collaboration with local partner organizations and CIPE team members. 

• Establish and maintain regular communication with project partners and other stakeholders.  

• Maintain correspondence and operational records regarding CIPE-funded programs in the assigned portfolio.  

• Monitor partners, contractors, and consultants’ performance to ensure full compliance with objectives, financial and reporting requirements, and evaluation plans.  

• Evaluate projects through on-site visits, file reviews, and coordination with independent evaluators where appropriate.  

• Develop project reports, summaries, and assessments.  

• Oversee program management and implementation and in-country activities, including the development of a national roadmap of policy reform measures and implementation recommendations with oversight by CIPE Deputy Director.   

• Jointly with Deputy Director and Program Manager, Central Asia, conduct stakeholder mapping and organizational capacity assessments using CIPE business associations capacity assessment and diagnostic framework. 

• Support the facilitation of in-country training by CIPE-affiliated experts on topics related to advocacy, associations management, and economic security. 

• Support the facilitation of consultative meetings and advocacy campaigns to be led by country partner associations, including roundtables and launch events engaging key stakeholders. 

• Monitor local political and economic developments in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, broadly, as they pertain to the program.  Report on these developments in weekly staff meetings, monthly written reports, and more frequently by email when the situation requires it.   

• Draft monthly and weekly internal reports to CIPE’s Washington, D.C. office and contribute to funder reporting, translating documents when necessary.  

• Update and oversee the maintenance of a database of business associations, entrepreneurs, civil society, academicians, government representatives and other key stakeholders. 

• Establish and maintain relationships with other international organizations to identify linkages with CIPE strategies, monitor trends, and assess new funding opportunities.  

• Collaborate with multiple CIPE departments to achieve programmatic goals, including Communications, Finance, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, and other regional teams.  

• Adhere to appropriate CIPE, U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce policies and procedures. 

Qualifications 

Minimum qualifications include: 

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields is required: International Relations, International Business, Economic Development, Political Science, Law, or Public Policy. 

• Master’s degree, or the equivalent experience in International Relations, International Business, Economic Development, Political Science, Law, or Public Policy, is preferred.  

• 4-7 years of experience in international assistance programs, non-profit organizations, chambers of commerce, and/or associations in the region.  

• Minimum four years’ experience with program management and program implementation at the strategic level, preferred.  
• Willingness to work through an EOR (Employer of Record)

• Experience with international development and topics consistent with CIPE’s mission, including economic policy reform, anti-corruption and business ethics, democratic governance, business association advocacy, entrepreneurship and others.  

• Demonstrated ability to develop, establish, and maintain good relationships with international partners and colleagues.  

• Full professional proficiency in spoken and written English. Professional proficiency in Kazakh and Russian.   

• Strong public speaking and writing skills with attention to detail.  

• Proposal writing skills are required.  

• Demonstrated strong critical thinking and analytical skills.  

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment, as well as independently with minimum supervision; ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks.  

• Ability to supervise, develop and manage young professionals and other staff, when applicable.   

• Prior experience with U.S. Department of State, U.K. FCDO, or USAID programs is preferred.  

• Proficiency in MS-Office, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint.  

• Must be able and willing to travel for extended and multiple periods. 

• Commitment to free market principles and the democratic ideals of freedom, participation, prosperity, and growth. 

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experience in project management for US or other foreign-funded projects. 

• Demonstrated understanding of public-private dialogue processes, models and mechanisms, advocacy tools working with private sector actors and business associations. 

• Experience in economic security topics such as sanctions compliance and investment screening.