Overview
Background:
Creative Associates International is a fast-growing, social impact company that specializes in the areas of education, economic growth, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, this global development organization has a field presence is more than 25 countries and a strong client portfolio of that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department. Since its founding in 1977 by four enterprising women, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
Position Summary:
The Chief of Party will develop strong relations with USAID, oversee project implementation, ensuring compliance and project quality, and mentor the Deputy Chief of Party to transition into the COP role, working in close coordination on key decision-making processes. The COP will be based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. This is an unaccompanied post. The duration of this posting is one year.
Project:
Creative is implementing the five-year, USAID funded Inclusive Governance for Resilience (IGR) project in Burkina Faso. With the goal of building mutual partnerships between local governments and citizens, IGR will operate at the commune-level across four regions of the country to strengthen local governance, build citizen capacity to actively engage in their governing needs, and ultimately build partnerships for resilience in Burkina Faso.
Ideal Candidate:
Have experience in implementing local governance projects in difficult operating environments, that engage and work across levels of government administration with significant emphasis on building civic engagement in governance processes. S/he must possess strong mentorship, facilitation, communication, collaboration, adaptability, and leadership skills, and a proven track record of USAID COP experience. Given the complexity and scope of this activity, it is critical that the COP is dynamic and exhibits effective personnel and resource management, coordination, conflict resolution, facilitation, and decision-making skills.
Reporting and Supervision:
This position reports to the Project Director in the CIT Division or his/her designee.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities:
- Serves as the key point of contact for with USAID regarding day-to-day implementation and management matters relating to the agreement.
- Assures that all assistance provided under the agreement is technically sound and appropriate, and manages and supervises all work performed under the agreement.
- Provides strategic mentorship to the project DCOP, with the goal of transitioning the DCOP to the COP role.
- Provides technical leadership and creates an enabling environment that cultivates a strong adaptive and learning by doing approach.
- Manages and is responsible for technical and financial performance of the project.
- Provides technical direction, leadership, and oversight of all administrative matters.
- Ensures technical, financial, and administrative activities are carried out according to Creative’s policies and procedures and consistent with USAID regulations.
- Works in partnership with the Project Director, engaging in frequent, routine communication with the Home Office around the project’s progress and potential issues.
- Leads development and implements work plans for project activities.
- Oversees implementation of project monitoring and evaluation activities and ensures that project results are met.
- Supervises development and submission of project deliverables and provides timely and accurate reporting and briefings to U.S. Government/Stakeholders on all program areas.
- Responsible for managing the project’s relationships with federal, state, and local counterparts, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
- Supports the implementation of Creative’s security protocols and provides leadership in handling security-related issues and addressing local staffing and personnel issues related to security; and
- Manages project team in a manner that is open and respectful and encourages professional development and solicits constructive staff input.
Qualifications
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, law, development studies, etc; or bachelor’s degree with five (5) additional years of relevant international development experience;
- At least ten (10) years of relevant experience working in governance programs, including experience with a Contractor or international NGO with demonstrated supervisory experience;
- At least five (5) years of demonstrated experience in senior program management;
- Demonstrated experience applying principles of adaptive management to complex development programs;
- Has significant experience in managing USAID-supported development projects of similar size and complexity.
- Has experience in implementing local governance projects in difficult operating environments, that engage and work across levels of government administration, and have included a significant emphasis on building civic engagement in governance processes.
- Possesses strong facilitation, mentorship, communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
- Exhibits effective personnel and resource management, coordination, conflict resolution, facilitation, and decision-making skills
- Fluent in written and spoken English and French.
Desired qualifications:
- Experience working in the democracy and governance sector in West Africa, preferably Burkina Faso;
- Be willing to have close, daily collaboration with USAID’s in-country staff;
- Take programmatic and strategic direction from USAID staff;
- Have strong management and leadership skills, including the ability to mentor staff;
- Be a “hands on” manager who is actively engaged in all aspects of program management;
- Have demonstrated past representational experience with host governments, other donors, and civil society and demonstrated success with inter-agency coordination and joint programming ideally; and
- Be flexible to potential changes in program objectives and shifting political and security contingencies.
Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.
Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.
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