CARE seeks a Chief of Party for the anticipated USAID-funded I-WASH (Integrating Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) solicitation in Guatemala. This procurement is expected to be a five-year cooperative agreement in the $10-$25M range. The objective of I-WASH is to integrate water supply, hygiene, and sanitation services activity that will work with local municipalities and the private sector to ensure that rural Guatemalans have a reliable water service that is chlorinated and adequate for human consumption, improved sanitation facilities, and establish the habit of practicing optimal hygiene behavior. USAID/Guatemala expects to incorporate NPI (New Partnership Initiative) into this activity.
The Chief of Party is accountable for the overall vision and leadership of the project and is accountable for delivering results. The successful candidate should possess significant experience managing USAID programs, financials, and operations and compliance – or other international donor-funded projects. The ideal candidate will be an inclusive leader who can foster and facilitate a culture of continuous learning, build relationships among thought leaders and practitioners in the national WASH sector, and able to navigate change with flexibility.
The procurement is expected to be released in July 2021 and awarded in December 2021. This position is subject to project award and funding.
This position is open to Guatemalan and international candidates. Guatemalan nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.
This position is anticipated to be based in Guatemala City.
Primary Responsibilities:
· The COP will lead the project, providing vision, direction, and technical guidance to and supervising staff and consultants fulfill the project’s strategic goals and objectives.
· Oversee the completion of all technical requirements, including project results and deliverables, in accordance with the project work plan.
· Build and maintain productive working relationships with USAID, project partners, and key stakeholders. Serve as the primary liaison among all project stakeholders, including the Agreement Officer and Agreement Officer’s Representation (AO/AOR).
· Manage the project’s operational, financial, and administrative priorities; direct the planning and budgeting processes. Create or adapt management systems in line with CARE’s standard operating procedures – ensuring consistency with project needs, applicable USAID policies and regulations, and relevant national policies and laws.
· Build partnerships among international-, national- and community-level stakeholders
· Design and oversee an annual project cycle in accordance with USAID’s annual planning cycles. Ensure documentation and dissemination of findings, impact, innovations, and lessons learned, and utilize a collaborative and adaptive learning approach to the project cycle.
· With staff and partners, translate project goals and objectives into implementable strategies and plans. Oversee the preparation of quarterly and annual project activity reports, M&E reports, and other deliverables, as specified in the agreement. Report against the project’s targets.
· Represent the project at high-level meetings, conferences, and other fora.
· Supervise and mentor senior staff, delegating responsibilities as appropriate. Clearly communicate expectations for staff performance.
Required Skills:
· Master’s degree in a relevant field in international development, water supply and sanitation, water resource management, or civil engineering or other closely related field. Additional years of experience may be substituted for a Master’s degree.
· Minimum of 10 years of experience working on, designing, and/or implementing projects related to water sector governance and finance; WASH systems; private sector development; government and civil society accountability and municipal service provision, or other related fields, including extensive experience in similar dollar-value WASH programs, preferably in Guatemala or the Central American region.
· Previous Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, or senior management experience on USAID-funded programs is required.
· Working knowledge of and experience with U.S. government-funded program management, policies, regulations, and procedures
· Demonstrated technical knowledge of water utility performance and management, WASH private sector development, sanitation coverage, and/or WASH behavior change adoption.
· Proven exceptional leadership in the design, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of similar-sized international donor-supported programs, with skills in strategic planning and thinking, management, supervision and budgeting, and experience managing complex activities involving coordination with multiple program partner institutions. Strong familiarity with USAID collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) principles and approaches preferred.
· Demonstrated skills building and maintaining relationships with host governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and partners.
· Strong oral and written communication skills; excellent demonstrated inter-cultural, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
· Experience recruiting, developing, and managing staff and teams.
· Track record of strong commitment to sharing knowledge, documenting experiences, supporting creative initiatives, and sharing credit.
· Demonstrated commitment to principles of Gender Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, as evidenced in previous management positions and programming. Demonstrated commitment to PSEAH (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Harassment).
· Experience managing required programmatic and financial reporting requirements. Experience with M&E is a plus.
· Fluency in English and Spanish are required (spoken and written); knowledge of local languages is a strong advantage.
· Ability to travel within Guatemala as required and as security conditions allow.
How to apply
https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=CAREUSA&cws=52&rid=5512