Vice President, Civil Society Programs

The Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) is an independent non-profit organization that gives passionate, committed people the tools, skills, and resources they need to make their communities better places to live. Our current areas of programmatic growth include strengthening democratic institutions and citizenship in transition countries; helping communities in the US and China become more resource efficient  and move to a less carbon dependent economy; and supporting sustainable community development - particularly in areas recovering from natural disasters or vulnerable to climate disruption. 

With our headquarters in Montpelier, Vermont, and offices in China, Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, and Washington, DC, ISC has an international staff of approximately 70 people. Since our founding in 1991 by former Vermont Governor Madeleine M. Kunin, ISC has led transformative community-driven projects in 20 countries across the globe.

Position Overview: 

ISC is seeking a senior professional to expand and oversee its international civil society programming.  The position requires a proactive, social entrepreneur with expertise in civic engagement, advocacy, leadership development, and capacity building.

The person must have an advanced degree in a relevant discipline (MBAs are encouraged) and excellent skills in communication and donor cultivation.  A strong record of success in project design and development and solid experience in USAID project management is required (preferably as a chief of party based in Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe or Eurasia).  The position requires frequent travel.   Highly skilled individuals with less experience are encouraged to apply, but, if selected, the job title and some responsibilities may be adjusted. 

Responsibilities:

• Expand ISC's civil society program to new countries and regions. 
• Coordinate and provide technical support in the areas of civic engagement, advocacy, leadership, and institutional development to all of ISC's projects.
• Supervise Chiefs of Party and other project managers working on ISC's Civil Society projects.
• Ensure that ISC's Civil Society projects receive all the technical, management, and administrative support they need to be successful.
• Represent ISC to senior government officials, partners, funders and beneficiaries to educate and promote ISC's work and raise the organization's profile.
• Gather and track intelligence that will strengthen ISC's programmatic opportunities and ensure the organization is responsive to evolving administration priorities.
• Direct the development and implementation of a civil society strategic plan including specific and measurable annual goals.
• Provide creative leadership and innovative ideas in the use of limited resources to achieve maximum results.

Relationships:

• Reports to President. 
• Works closely with directors of development, finance, communication, and program teams. 
• Communicates with Board of Directors, donors, partners and other organizations.
• Serves on the Management Team.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in an appropriate discipline, plus 15 or more years of relevant international development experience (preferably including 3 or more years as project manager such as a Chief of Party for a USAID civil society program), or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.
• Expertise in civic engagement, advocacy, leadership, institutional development, governance, and other forms of community capacity building.  
• An excellent track record designing successful international projects. 
• Exceptional analytical, interpersonal, and fundraising skills.
• Demonstrated experience and success in institutional representation and proven ability and desire to actively lead a successful expansion of program activity. 
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, financial management, and collaborative decision making with proven ability to meet or exceed stated goals and objectives.
• Cross-cultural competence from living for an extended period outside the U.S. or through other experiences that have required cross-cultural understanding.
• Experience in providing creative leadership and innovative ideas in the use of scarce resources to achieve maximum results.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Fluency in relevant foreign languages preferred. 
• Ability to travel frequently (at least 4 months per year). 
• Demonstrated knowledge and commitment to ISC's mission.

To Apply:

Submit cover letter, resume, and salary history.  Please specify last name, first initial and Civil Society in the subject line of your email. 

No phone calls please