Chief of Party

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 seeks an experienced Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID-funded Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, Immunization, and Malaria (RMNCI+M) Activity in Burundi. This Activity will support comprehensive RMNCI and Malaria services at health facility and community level and will strengthen the health system at the national and district levels, to:

1) Improve the delivery of high-quality RMNCI+M services across the continuum of care;

2) Promote healthy behaviors among women, youth and men, and

3) Strengthen the health system to support high-quality delivery of integrated care. It will also improve malaria case management among older children (above five years) and adults.

This is anticipated to be a five-year activity (2024-2029). RMNCH+M is anticipated to be a $25-$49.99M cooperative agreement. This position is contingent upon award; it is anticipated to be based in Bujumbura with frequent travel to provincial offices.

Key Responsibilities

The COP will be responsible for technical leadership and the overall management and operations of the Activity as well as Pact Burundi office. The COP will supervise high-quality project implementation, with a focus on achieving the project goals and USAID/Burundi development objectives. The COP will take a leadership role in coordination of all activities across all relevant parties including USAID, the Government of the Burundi, local organizations, key stakeholders, and implementing partners. The COP will also oversee all project staff and consortium partners for results-oriented planning, leadership, and coordination of project activities. The Chief of Party will also serve as the Country Manager. As such, the individual will be the main contact for all organizational matters pertaining to the Pact Burundi office and will liaise with Pact DC office, Africa Regional office and other country office teams.

The specific duties to be carried out by the successful candidate are:

• Ensure high-quality, results-oriented technical programming through hands-on guidance and support grounded in the project’s strategic objectives and approved annual workplans.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the USAID Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) on management and technical matters.
• Ensure compliance with USAID rules/regulations and Pact processes.
• Supervise the Deputy Chief of Party/Technical Director, Senior Finance Manager, Senior MERL Manager, and others as needed.
• Ensure that the project meets stated goals, outcomes, benchmarks, and reporting requirements.
• Take a leadership role in coordination among USAID and key stakeholders, including partners, government stakeholders, civil society, and other USAID projects.
• Promote the use of recognized evidence-based tools and promising innovations in public health for strengthening the capacities of public health practitioners.
• Manage and coordinate the implementation of activities across project partners, ensuring successful integration of activities.
• Liaise closely with the Pact Regional Director and Finance team, and Pact’s U.S. team to ensure that all project activities are compliant with USG rules and regulations, as well as consistent with Pact’s policies, procedures and best practices.
• Oversee project planning (i.e., development of work plans and project budget), monitoring and reporting (i.e., review and approve periodic budgets and technical and financial reports) in accordance with the highest standards.
• Oversee project budget and work in close coordination with Activity and Pact DC finance leadership to meet expected results, ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact resources.
• Support the implementation of a highly adaptive, context-driven programmatic approach.
• Provide strategic management and oversight of the project’s partner portfolio.
• Manage a team of flexible and adaptive employees and oversee evidence-based adjustments in programming to achieve greater impact.
• Oversee project staff in helping partners establish reporting and tracking systems to provide key information in an efficient and timely manner.
• Ensure the program meets programmatic and financial targets and makes accurate projections.
• Represent the project at conferences, working groups, and meetings to support USAID and Pact’s thought leadership in building public health resilience.
• Ensure that Pact’s operations in Burundi are compliant with national laws and regulations, and that Pact’s good reputation is maintained.
• Champion and disseminate Pact’s values and strategic priorities to other staff.

  Basic Requirements

  • Master's degree with eleven (11) years’ work experience or bachelor's degree with at least (13+) years’ work experience. Graduate degree in public health or relevant field strongly preferred.
    At least six (6+) years management experience, preferably as a COP or in a comparable managerial position on donor-funded health projects, preferably for USAID programs.
  • At least ten (10) years of experience in the successful implementation of international development activities, with demonstrable experience in public health, health systems, and health policy.
  • Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to perform and collaborate in complex and politically sensitive project environments.
  • Experience working on and leading teams for USAID contracts and/or cooperative agreements.
  • Knowledge of USAID rules, regulations and policies.
  • Demonstrated leadership and management skills.
  • Demonstrated track record of successfully building and effectively managing a diverse team of employees and partners with conflict sensitivity.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments, and work with and between different stakeholders, including local organizations, government institutions, private sector entities, and US Government agencies.
  • Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.
  • Fluency in English and French (oral, writing, and reading); fluency in Kirundi preferred
  • Experience with national health policy development and implementation, including national health insurance.
  • Ability to travel within Burundi and occasionally internationally.

    Preferred Qualifications

    • Demonstrated experience managing highly adaptive programs, as well as applying systems-driven approaches and/or thinking and working politically (TWP) principles.
    • Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Burundi.
    • Broad understanding of public health, health systems, and health policy and practice in Burundi.
    • Preference for individuals with experience leading integrated maternal, newborn and child health and malaria projects.
    • Burundian nationals, especially women, are strongly encouraged to apply.