CHIEF OF PARTY At Feed the Children

JOB PURPOSE

Tiwalere-III Project will use a multi-sectoral nutrition programming approach, as recommended by the Government of Malawi (GOM) and USAID. The overall goal of Tiwalere III is to improve the health and nutritional status of women and children, with an emphasis on the First 1,000 Day period, from conception to the first two years of life, a critical period stunting in children occurs.

The Chief of Party (COP) will be responsible for overall project performance, management, and execution of Tiwalere III ensuring all project deliverables are exceptionally exceeded within budget and compliance for projects. The COP performs project planning, oversight and ensures strong and favorable client relations. The COP may perform technical assistance within the scope of the project and may also perform business development activities within the country as directed. S/he will have overall responsibility for contract implementation and will serve as the primary liaison with USAID/Malawi on management and technical matters. S/he will ensure exceptional quality and timeliness of project deliverables within budget and compliance parameters.

The role will require previous experience managing nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive projects, a strong understanding and capacity to thrive and grow in a matrix management structure, and the capacity to build trust and engage in constructive engagement with partners, stakeholders and the donor.

SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for providing leadership and overall management of a multi-disciplinary team to implement a multi-sectoral nutrition program to achieve project goals and objectives.
• Initiate and drive coordination with other program activities implemented by local and international partners and donors, as well as the private sector.
• Hold primary responsibility for project performance and budget management.
• Leads planning, oversight and coordination of all project activities and personnel, operational and technical.
• Ensures all project deliverables exceed expectations and managed within budget.
• Manages client relations and serves as primary liaison and FTC Representative with the client and stakeholders regarding overall policy, resource mobilization and allocation, joint initiatives and coordination of project management and planning.
• Ensure internal integration of project activities through 1) the annual work plan and budgeting process; 2) creating/maintaining an effective project management team; 3) overseeing an effective monitoring and evaluation system.
• Provide leadership and oversight for areas such as Finance, Operations, Reporting, Public Affairs, Fund Management and Human Resources; liaise with International Operations Office and business partners per policy and practice.
• Responsible to ensure all staff receive adequate security and operational support and that Standard Operating Procedures are implemented.
• Manage all aspects of staffing and creating/maintaining a clear organizational structure with specific roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines.
• Ensure management systems are operational to track expenditures (including labour) and monitor same against the program work plan and budget, according to both company policy and client standards/regulations.
• Responsible for developing and implementing practices to ensure a high level of staff morale and retention.
• May participate in business development activities including meetings with prospective clients.
• Identify strategic opportunities for function and work with business development to market these opportunities.
• Prepare status reports, budget information and other documentation as needed.
• Develop and implement practices to ensure a high level of staff morale and retention.
• Remain in close contact with the home office, providing regular presentations and updates about the project’s progress.
• Other responsibilities as required and developed over the life of the project.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWELDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Master’s degree in international development, public health, health administration, nutrition, human development, organizational development, or related social sector field of study or equivalent work experience.Twelve (12) years or more of senior project management work experience implementing social sector development programs with demonstrated strong management and coordinating skills and including the direct supervision of professional and support staff and assembling teams working on multi-faceted international development programs.
• Relevant technical background or having managed projects in health, preferably in the areas of maternal, newborn and child health, nutrition, health and sanitation, and livelihoods support.
• Specific knowledge of the Malawi health and nutrition systems/IYCF, or demonstrated experiences in similar contexts in Eastern and Southern Africa.
• Strong ability to work across technical and operational areas and manage teams within a matrix supervision model.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing alliances with national partners and community-based organizations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and superior interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Knowledgeable and experienced with international development contracting policies and procedures, specifically USAID.
• The ability to build consensus and demonstrate the ability to recruit and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well with diverse teams.
• Professional level proficiency in English