Program Delivery Specialist

The Program Delivery Specialist (PDS) for CRDF Central Asia Hub in Almaty, Kazakhstan will play a pivotal role in driving regional engagement & technical coordination initiatives on behalf of the U.S. Department of State, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK FCDO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), European Union (EU) institutions, and other international donors and cybersecurity partners by implementing effective project management practices and tools. Expertise in project management will be instrumental in executing a diverse portfolio of projects while also leading the planning and execution of impactful activities. Through seamless integration of project management methodologies, this role will foster collaboration with technical team members and local beneficiaries, drive effective organization and positive communication, and further our organization's mission across the Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership countries, Central Asia, and beyond.

Major Responsibilities

Project Management: The Program Delivery Specialist (PDS) will play a leading role in ideating, organizing, and executing strategic cybersecurity & digital resilience activities and facilitating technical assistance deliveries. The PDS will manage ad hoc travel and communication logistics, coordinate with key experts and stakeholders, handle event/meeting readouts, and manage invoices and payments to vendors.

• The PDS will implement a structured project management approach, utilizing project management tools, to initiate, plan, execute, and monitor projects in the region with clear objectives, timelines, deliverables, and performance indicators.
• The PDS will proactively establish and nurture relationships with key stakeholders and institutions in relevant sectors, conducting market research for potential partners, engaging in regular communication to expand the network of strategic partners. Additionally, this role will work closely with sector experts to foster knowledge exchange and collaborative initiatives.
• The PDS will regularly refer to emerging or current activities, global threats, and regional politics to inform risk and strategy in coordination with the CRDF technical cadre.

Financial Management: The PDS will play a critical role in managing the portfolio’s financial management with a clear understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and risk management methods. The PDS will adhere to internal timelines and manage customer reporting requirements. This function will operate in close coordination with the Program Financial and Accounts Receivables staff.

M&E: The PDS will work together with the CRDF Global MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) Specialist to initiate and support the design and implementation of monitoring frameworks, indicators, and data collection tools to track progress toward objectives. The PDS will regularly assist in collection, analysis, and reporting of project performance KPI data points to ensure activities align with targets, timelines, and quality standards.

Implementation: The PDS will be willing to travel to provide on-site support and coordination during implementations to ensure seamless execution and promptly resolve any arising issues. While on site, the PDS is expected to foster networking opportunities and facilitate meaningful interactions among participants, speakers, and partners.

Travel & Logistics: The PDS will be responsible for implementing travel and logistics related activities, with a particular focus on the design and coordination of in-person regular events (meetings, workshops, trainings) and online/hybrid events (webinars, virtual meetings, and online asynchronous courses). The PDS will coordinate travel arrangements including, but not limited to, airfare, accommodations, expense reimbursement, ground transportation and visas in addition to event logistics including venues, catering, translation and interpretation.

General Requirements

The Program Delivery Specialist will be expected to:

• Proactively identify project risks and implement risk mitigation strategies to address potential challenges.
• Optimize resource allocation and efficiency across programs to maximize impact and achieve sustainable outcomes and meet strategic objectives.
• Close coordination with the finance team for financial forecasting, reporting, and risk & opportunities management.
• Lead and/or participate in cross-functional meetings with other program support functions and technical staff and contribute ideas for optimizing regional impact.
• Monitor the effectiveness of engagement activities and events, capturing key insights and lessons learned for continuous improvement.
• Prepare timely and comprehensive reports on engagement efforts, event outcomes, and stakeholder feedback.
• Prepare meetings and implementation reports, evaluations, and tools to organize and optimize feedback and insights for continuous improvement.
• Travel domestically and internationally as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

OUR VALUES AND WHY:

CRDF Global is committed to implementing our values in our processes, policies, and decisions. By identifying innovative solutions, adapting to new systems, and collaborating with international partners daily, we get a little closer to achieving our vision of building a more secure and prosperous United States and, in turn, a safer world overall.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required. Master’s degree or another relevant specialized degree or certification is preferred but not required.
• 4-5 years of work experience in a related field
• Experience or demonstrated interest in international affairs and global security related topics, including but not limited to cybersecurity, digital resilience, regional security, border security, diplomacy, global affairs, and counterproliferation.
• Demonstrated project management skills. Proven experience in project management, event planning, strategic donor coordination, foreign assistance, financial management, or regional security assistance is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of building successful partnerships and collaborations
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural and diverse environment
• Proficiency in local language and English required. Knowledge of other regional languages is advantageous
• Willingness to travel within the region and globally to support events and engagements when necessary

Preferred but not required:

• Prior experience in a global non-profit, international organization, or donor-funded environment.
• Experience working on cybersecurity programs in post-conflict or hybrid threat environments.
• Knowledge of critical infrastructure protection, election security, and public-private cyber collaboration models.
• Awareness of NIST/NIS2/ENISA/ECSF/GDPR and other global cybersecurity and information security frameworks
• Cybersecurity certifications (any level)