Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.
Department Programs - Pact strives for a world where all people are heard, capable, and vibrant. The Programs Team helps realize this objective by bridging program management, technical support, and business development, enabling Pact to achieve its global strategy. We ensure program excellence through continuous learning, monitoring and evaluation and provide organizational and industry-wide thought leadership by leveraging a complementary set of cross-functional, multi-disciplinary skills, expertise, and experiences. The Programs team: influences progressive change through the development and implementation of global and regional strategies and business plans; supports advancement of innovative solutions; pursues new business opportunities; and drives effective internal and external engagement to maximize Pact’s impact across the globe. Across all aspects of its role, the Programs Department adheres to and promotes a culture of inclusion, accountability, and respect.
Position Overview
Pact is seeking candidates for a Chief of Party (COP) position for an upcoming USAID-funded project, USAID/RDMA Partnerships for Green Investment, which will serve as a follow-on to Pact-led Green Invest Asia program. This activity will advance systematic change in agricultural, forestry and other land use (AFOLU) systems in the region to reduce carbon emissions at meaningful scale in inclusive and sustainable approaches, enabling the regional transition to net zero climate resilient economics. The COP will be responsible for technical leadership and overall management and operations of the USAID Partnerships for Green Investment Activity, ensuring achievement of the three objectives outlined in the RFI:
- Increase sustainable and scalable investments in biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, low emission land use and AFOLU supply chains.
- Credible environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards adopted and/or implemented for biodiversity and conservation and low emission investments.
- Inclusive and equitable benefit sharing to local communities and smallholders enhanced.
It is anticipated that the solicitation will be released in late 2023. This position is contingent upon award.
Key Responsibilities
The COP will supervise high-quality project implementation, with a focus on achieving the project goals and USAID/RDMA development objectives. The COP will take a leadership role in coordination of all activities across all relevant parties, including USAID, private sector companies, civil society organizations, key stakeholders, and implementing partners. The COP will also oversee all project staff and sub-partners for results-oriented planning, leadership, and coordination of project activities.
The specific duties to be carried out by the successful candidate are listed below:
- Accountable for the overall technical direction of the project and management of project activities and providing leadership to the project team to ensure high quality programming to achieve project results.
- Serve as the project’s primary liaison with USAID, partners, governments, and other key project stakeholders.
- Oversee project planning (i.e., development of work plans and operating budgets) and internal and donor reporting.
- Ensure the provision of high-quality technical assistance to local implementing partners.
- Oversee project staff in helping partners establish reporting and tracking systems to provide key information to donors, staff, and project stakeholders.
- Represent Pact at conferences, working groups, and meetings in contribution to USAID and Pact’s thought leadership in local partner transitioning efforts.
- Manage project budget to meet expected results, ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact resources.
- Oversee project MEL agenda and ensure that project impact reporting requirements are met.
- Oversee and mentor the project technical and operational team.
Employee complies with all company policies and procedures, including completing all compliance training topics by the deadline to satisfy each and receiving the corresponding acknowledgment statement that the training has been completed.
All other duties as assigned
Basic Requirements
Masters with at least 12 years of experience or Bachelors with 14 years of experience in a senior leadership role managing programs in relevant areas such as sustainable natural resource management, sustainable landscapes, agriculture, conservation finance, private sector investment or related field.
Atleast 7 years of experience working on issues related to sustainable agriculture, forestry, or other land use.
Demonstrated knowledge of climate change mitigation and the role of the private sector in investing in sustainable landscapes initiatives.
Demonstrated track record in successfully building and effectively managing diverse teams of employees.
Experience managing regional USAID contracts and cooperative agreements
Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills, creative problem-solving, and ethical management.
Prior experience in Southeast Asia.
Advanced degree in a relevant field, such as environmental science, agriculture, finance, or business administration.
Professional level English ability - both written and oral.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience working on climate change issues.
Prior experience with private sector investment in sustainable landscapes and agriculture.
Prior experience with developing investible projects for impact investment.
Prior experience as a Chief of Party, Project Director, or Team Leader on a relevant project.
Prior experience working with regional bodies or working groups, e.g., ASEAN, around sustainable commodity value chains
Southeast Asian nationals are encouraged to apply