Projects Assistant (IWPR Kazakhstan)

Position: Project Assistant

Location:  Almaty, Kazakhstan

Hours: Full time

Contract length: Until December 2024

Deadline for applications:  26 February 2024

About IWPR:

The Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) is an independent, international non-governmental organisation with head offices in London and Washington DC. IWPR empowers local voices to drive change in countries in conflict, crisis and transition. Where hate speech and propaganda proliferate, and journalists and civic activists are under attack, IWPR promotes reliable information and public debate that makes a difference.

About the role:

The Project Assistant will have direct responsibility for implementing the media programs in Kazakhstan:

• To identify and contract consultants to conduct training workshops, mentorship programs and grant-making processes;
• To monitor the progress of program work and control expenditure against budget lines;
• To assist the project manager with tasks.

The main responsibilities and duties of this role will be:

• Performing administrative tasks;
• Working with partner organisations in and outside the country;
• Assist the project manager in ensuring timely and accurate monitoring and evaluation of project activities in accordance with the project monitoring and evaluation plan;
• Support in the preparation of regular narrative reports to IWPR and donors according to their requirements;
• Assist the project manager in planning and organizing events, meetings, workshops, study tours, training courses, and overall program activities;
• Provide technical assistance to project manager and project partners in the implementation of projects;
• Assist the project manager in data collection and analysis;
• Make necessary purchases in compliance with all procurement policies and regulations;
• Travel arrangements for the project team and beneficiaries;
• Coordinate any logistical issues;
• Assistance in planning and coordinating project activities;
• Under the guidance of project manager preparing documentation for financial support to beneficiaries;
• Compiling and sending bulk mailings;
• Assist in controlling project expenditures and ensuring that they are in line with budget and IWPR and donor requirements, together with IWPR finance staff in Kazakhstan;
• Maintain and organize up-to-date hard and electronic files for easy access and retrieval. Ensure safekeeping of confidential materials;
• Create and maintain files of correspondence/documents and electronically received information, and ensure up-to- date filing; Maintain both hardcopies and electronic copies of the office records and reference files on various subjects;
• Prepare presentation material/slides in Power-point/Canva presentations for the project events;
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

To be successful in this role we anticipate that you would have:

• Higher education in social science or other relevant fields;
• A minimum of 1 year's work experience in international projects (preferably in media development or a similar sector);
• Experience in media development project management and financial management would be assets;
• Good command of written and oral English and Russian (fluency in Kazakh language is desirable);
• Analytical and reporting skills;
• Excellent computer skills;
• Interpersonal, communication and people-management skills, including ability to establish and maintain contacts with various stakeholders;
• Ability to analyse and distil financial and narrative information;
• Ability to show initiative and creativity;
• Working on multiple priorities to very tight deadlines;
• Ability to implement systems and procedures.

Principals only. No calls please. Only those who have been considered for an interview will be contacted.

IWPR is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, veteran status or pregnancy and maternity. IWPR will never ask for payment for recruitment.