Chief of Party for the Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment (WAVE) activity

The USAID-funded Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment (WAVE) activity in Kazakhstan, implemented by Tetra Tech International Development (www.tetratech.com/intdev) is currently accepting expressions of interest from qualified Chief of Party candidates. The COP position is full-time for the 5 years of the life of the project, and is based out of Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The USAID Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment (WAVE) activity promotes economic stability and prosperity, and healthy ecosystems by strengthening regional capacity to manage shared water resources and mitigate environmental risks in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins, that are shared by five Central Asian States – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The five-year USAID WAVE activity takes a multi-level governance approach to tackling complex regional water challenges by strengthening collaboration through stakeholder dialogues, shared vision development using evidence and modeling, and collaborative action across sectors and governance levels. WAVE seeks to improve the capacity of small and regional river basin councils to identify and address water management issues; and support national governments to improve regional collaboration, effective joint water management practices, and legal/regulatory improvements.

The Chief of Party (COP) is responsible for leading all technical, financial, and administrative aspects of the activity and coordinates closely with USAID to develop, implement, and revise the activity’s overall strategy. The COP is the principal liaison between USAID, Tetra Tech, the Governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and other counterparts. They provide overall strategic and technical guidance to subcontractors. The COP provides comprehensive expert technical oversight and guidance in all aspects of the program, including monitoring evaluation and reporting to USAID. They also ensure that the project is compliant with Tetra Tech ’s and USAID’s policies and procedures.

Tetra Tech retains authority over contract execution to ensure fiscal and legal responsibility for contract performance under the contract. The COP reports to the Tetra Tech Home Office Project Manager (PM) who is responsible for ensuring contract compliance.

Responsibilities:

The COP is responsible for the overall implementation of the project and his/her responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:

*Provide leadership, supervision, and direction to the activity implementation team and STTA resources;

*Coordinate and assume the role of official spokesperson of project activities with the USAID COR, host country governments and local counterparts, and other collaborating institutions and agencies;

*Supervise, guide the development, and ensure the technical rigor of contract deliverables/requirements; including but not limited to activity annual work plans, detailed task work plans, performance monitoring plans/M&E plans and their results, weekly progress reports, quarterly and annual reports, communications products, activity self-assessments, and periodic activity updates;

*Assume overall responsibility for the establishment and efficient operations of administrative, personnel, financial, and management systems including the provision of management support and strategic guidance to administrative functions as requested by the Deputy Chief of Party Operations;

*Oversee the project’s finances: authorize all in-country expenditures, oversee local currency accounts and procurement, and work with the Deputy Chief of Party Operations, Project Manager and Deputy Project Manager on budget control and financial planning;

*Assume responsibility for recruitment and hiring of local personnel in accordance with activity and USAID’s guidelines and policies;

*Responsible for initial project risk identification, management, and mitigation in collaboration with home office, including identification of project risks, development of solutions and responses, and mitigation as required (If necessary, collaborates and coordinates with home office Internal Compliance Committee should field audit of potential risks or compliance be required.);

*Create and maintain a culture of compliance and ethics throughout the field office including overseeing the implementation of Tetra Tech corporate-level policies regarding ethics, health, safety, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, among others; and

Qualifications:

* Advanced degree in Water Resources Management, Climate Change, or other relevant field.

* Minimum twelve (12) years’ experience in successful implementation of integrated water resource management (IWRM), transboundary water cooperation, or water and environment programs

*Minimum five (5) years’ experience in senior program management positions for USAID- or other donor-funded development projects, including direct supervision of professional and support staff;

*Demonstrated understanding of the water sector and transboundary water challenges in Central Asia; Expertise in cross-sectoral programs addressing water, food, and energy linkages is preferred;

*Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain partnerships and strong working relationships with donors, host country government counterparts, academic institutions, and civil society;

*Proven experience navigating complex and high-pressure operating environments;

*Professional fluency in written and spoken English is required. Proficiency in Russian is strongly preferred.**