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 DRC Enseignement Technique pour Opportunités Inclusives, Lucratives et Équitables (ETOILE) Activity, which aims to enhance inclusive workforce development to improve livelihoods for Congolese youth, particularly those from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds, to improve social mobility, economic livelihoods, and access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. This is anticipated to be a five-year activity (2023-2028). This position is contingent upon award.
Key Responsibilities
The COP will be responsible for technical leadership and the overall management and operations of the Activity. The COP will supervise high-quality project implementation, with a focus on achieving the project goals and USAID/DRC development objectives. The COP will take a leadership role in coordination of all activities across all relevant parties including USAID, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, local 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:
- 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 Contract or Agreement Officer’s Representative (C/AOR) on management and technical matters.
- Ensure compliance with USAID rules/regulations and Pact processes.
- 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.
- Manage and coordinate the implementation of activities across project partners, ensuring successful integration of activities.
- Liaise closely with Pact DRC’s Country 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 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 finance leadership to meet expected results, ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact’s resources.
- Support the implementation of a highly adaptive, context-driven programmatic approach.
- Provide strategic management and oversight of the project’s sub-award 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.
- 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
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant field. Master’s degree and 11+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience, including 6 years of management experience.
- At least ten years of experience in the successful implementation of international development activities within the DRC or similar environments, incorporating elements of improved access to livelihood opportunities, stabilization, capacity development (CD), private sector engagement, gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, and inclusive humanitarian action.
- At least eight years of experience as a COP or in a comparable managerial position on donor-funded livelihoods projects, preferably for USAID programs.
- 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 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)
- Ability to travel within the DRC and occasionally internationally.
Preferred Qualifications
- Fluency in one of the following DRC national languages: Lingala, Kiswahili, and Tshiluba
- 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 the DRC.