USAID-funded CIDR program Project Manager

Location: Chisinau, Moldova 

Project Name: Critical Infrastructure Digitalization and Resilience (CIDR)

Duration: One year with possibility to extend

Date: Immediately 

Program Background 

The Critical Infrastructure Digitalization and Resilience (CIDR) program is a five-year initiative managed by DAI Global LLC on behalf of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Bureau for Europe and Eurasia. CIDR focuses on enhancing cybersecurity resilience in the Western Balkans, Black Sea region, and South Caucasus, areas that have experienced increasingly diverse and sophisticated cyberattacks targeting sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and government services. 

CIDR collaborates with partner governments and key stakeholders to identify cybersecurity gaps, establish priorities, and develop actionable strategies to bolster cybersecurity across critical infrastructure and key institutions. 

Currently operating in Albania, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, CIDR provides comprehensive development assistance. This includes assistance for cybersecurity education and workforce development, cybersecurity assessments, governance frameworks, and facilitating information sharing on cyber threats, attacks, and mitigation strategies. 

The overarching goal of CIDR is to elevate the cybersecurity standards of the region through country-led initiatives. By strengthening the defense mechanisms of critical infrastructure and key institutions, CIDR aims to ensure the continuity of essential services for citizens while enhancing overall resilience against cyber threats. 

Overview of Job Description: 

The Project Manager will oversee initiatives focused on promoting cybersecurity and addressing cybersecurity challenges, particularly within critical infrastructure sectors. A key responsibility is advancing diversity and inclusivity in the workforce by tackling sociocultural barriers and stereotypes through targeted research, stakeholder engagement, and strategic initiatives. This includes identifying key challenges, developing gender-sensitive approaches, mapping national stakeholders, and forming partnerships with donor-funded programs. 

Additionally, the Project Manager will lead a critical infrastructure cybersecurity initiative that unites governmental entities, regulators, private sector representatives, experts, and NGOs to address cybersecurity challenges. This initiative will focus on policy development, workforce capacity building, threat information sharing, and cybersecurity exercises to enhance critical infrastructure resilience, increase cybersecurity talent, and establish sectoral Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs). Responsibilities include ensuring project objectives are met, managing deliverables, overseeing meeting logistics, coordinating stakeholder engagement, monitoring project developments, facilitating meetings, engaging in policy advocacy, sharing knowledge, building capacity, organizing seminars, planning resources, developing workplans, and liaising with relevant authorities.

Responsibilities

1. Project Management: Ensure the achievement of project objectives, managing deliverables and reporting on progress.
2. Project guidance: Provide guidance to ensure alignment with project objectives.
3. Meeting Logistics: Oversee logistical preparations for meetings, including arranging travel, venues, equipment, and materials.
4. Invitation Coordination: Coordinate and manage invitations and confirmations for meetings, ensuring stakeholder participation.
5. Presentation Verification: Ensure that presentations are prepared and ready for dissemination.
6. Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with stakeholders from various sectors to foster discussions on relevant workforce development.
7. Monitoring and Research: Monitor projects developments to ensure alignment with plans and budgets.
8. Meeting Facilitation: Facilitate meetings to ensure smooth proceedings and active participation.
9. Private and Academic Sector Engagement: Cultivate partnerships with the private sector to create professional opportunities for underrepresented groups.
10. Policy Advocacy: Engage in dialogues and discussions to advocate for supportive policy reforms.
11. Knowledge Sharing: Collaborate with other organizations to leverage best practices and share knowledge.
12. Capacity Building: Contribute to designing evolving activities to incorporate workforce development issues, providing progress reports.
13. Seminar Organization: Organize and lead seminars and meetings on relevant career pathways.
14. Resource Planning: Prepare and plan for technical assistance as needed.
15. Workplan Coordination: Develop and coordinate workplans to ensure alignment with goals and objectives.
16. Coordination with Authorities: Liaise with relevant authorities to align project activities with their priorities.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s Degree and 8+ years of work experience in ICT and Cybersecurity coordination, policy-making positions, Project Management, or related areas.
2. Master’s degree in relevant field is preferred.
3. Large-scale project management experience preferred.
4. Fluency in Romanian and English is required.
5. Experience working on USAID projects is preferred.

Apply HERE (click the link for the application form)