Chief of Party
Project: USAID Benin Northern Economic Livelihoods for Youth (NELY) Activity
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technologyโ creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges.
We are currently seeking qualified Chief of Party candidates to be proposed on an anticipated new activity in Benin to improve economic livelihoods for rural and urban youth and women in violent extremist (VE) moderate and high-risk areas in the North. We anticipate that this position will be based in Cotonou, with significant travel in Northern Benin, and is contingent upon award.
Job Summary:
The Chief of Party (COP) will provide overall vision, leadership, management, and technical direction for the entire program, to ensure an integrated vision among different components and actors and achieve programmatic results. S/he will serve as the projectโs main point of contact for USAID/Benin, local partners, and other program stakeholders. Further, the COP is expected to identify issues and risks related to program implementation in a timely manner, recommend appropriate program adjustment, and ensure smooth functioning among and between donor, grantees, partners, and other key stakeholders. S/he will supervise activity implementation and ensure that program activities meet the stated goals, objectives, and reporting requirements. The COP position requires strong and positive communication skills and political savviness, as s/he will interact with numerous institutions, local influencers and decision-makers, including those inside and outside of government structures. The COP must demonstrate his/her ability to work in complex environments and manage diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories.
Essential Job Functions: Duties and Responsibilities
Lead FHI 360โs project team and serve as the primary point of contact with USAID regarding the day-to-day activity implementation and management matters relating to the award.
Oversee technical implementation and ensure project activities are of high technical quality and delivered on time and on budget.
Manage and supervise the work of personnel provided under the award including direct supervision of other members of the projectโs Senior Management Team.
Serve as the primary point of contact for information on the progress and current status of all activities under the award.
Establish appropriate monitoring mechanisms to ensure that activity progress and specific implementation concerns are regularly and promptly reported and that project objectives are met.
Manage the preparation and presentation of work plans, M&E plans, and all reports, ensuring the quality of all deliverables.
Facilitate ongoing project learning and adaptive management.
Ensure that solid relationships are built and maintained between and among FHI 360 and sub-awardee project staff, USAID, and key local stakeholders and partners.
Qualifications and Requirements
Requires a masterโs degree in a directly relevant field from an accredited university;
At least 10 years of relevant experience, including at least 5 years of successfully managing complex international programs (implementation, logistics, budgeting, staffing), preferably those funded by USAID and conducted in Benin or other similar contexts, including Coastal West Africa;
Prior experience as a Chief of Party or Deputy Chief of Party preferred;
Programming experience in the areas of economic livelihoods, youth entrepreneurship, community and youth resilience, preventing violent extremism, and/or conflict sensitivity integration;
Demonstrated success across the whole range of project management responsibilities including: strategic program planning; work planning and budgeting; financial, administrative, contractual management and oversight;
Demonstrated successes in relationship management and collaboration with local partners and stakeholders, host government representatives, and private sector enterprises;
Excellent interpersonal and intercultural skills with demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in diverse team situations, build and maintain a cohesive team spirit, as well as mentor staff;
Strong written and verbal communication skills, and analytical capacity;
Fluency in speaking, reading and writing French and English.
This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.
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