Chief of Party, Northern Economic Livelihoods for Youth (NELY) Activity At Counterpart International

Counterpart International is currently seeking a dynamic, inclusive, and qualified Chief of Party candidate to support the anticipated USAID-funded program to improve economic livelihoods and resilience building for rural and urban youth in the North of Benin where there is an increased risk of violent extremist recruitment. This activity will focus on listening to young men and women and working with them to co-design locally specific interventions that improve their purchasing powers and inclusion in the modern economy, while developing greater self-sufficiency, interconnectedness, and community resilience.

Responsibilities

The COP will be responsible for overall project leadership, management, implementation, technical direction, vision, oversight, quality, compliance, and the management of productive relationships with USAID and other stakeholders. The COP will be responsible for ensuring the timely submission and quality of all project deliverables. This position requires senior-level program management experience with USAID or other donors.

Overall responsibilities include:

• Lead overall implementation and management of the program throughout its life cycle, and ensure the program succeeds on its established goals, objectives, targets and deliverables.
• Ensure equitable, inclusive, mutually respectful partnerships with all consortium members and the co-design, co-implementation and co-evaluation of activities.
• Provide leadership, inspiration, technical guidance, operational management, and general quality assurance for the program.
• Hold primary responsibility for program performance and budget management, helping to increase operational efficiencies and inspire innovative and cost-effective approaches.
• Lead planning, oversight, and coordination of all project activities and successful execution of technical assistance.
• Ensure the successful recruitment, hiring, onboarding, management, professional development and supervision of all staff, consultants, and any team members helping to implement the project. Coordinate with all consortium partners to ensure the same rigorous standards are being upheld.
• Consistently enhance operational efficiencies, adhere to compliance requirements from donors and Counterparts, and lead innovations in service delivery.
• Oversee development and submission of project deliverables on time and within budget.
• Lead coordination with USAID, the Benin Government, Beninese civil society groups, private sector, other USAID implementing partners, other donor development practitioners, and all counterparts and stakeholders involved with the program.
• Represent the program in the country, regionally/globally.
• Establish and maintain a clear organizational structure with specific roles, responsibilities, and accountability.
• Committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and belonging (DEIB) environment for all our global staff and in our international programming. We strive to cultivate a culture that celebrates and values the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and identities of our employees, clients, partners, and the communities we serve.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development, agriculture, economics, education, public policy or other relevant fields. (Or a bachelor’s degree with 15+ years of experience.)
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international development; Minimum of three years working on youth livelihood generation and/or youth-engaged agricultural markets in Western Africa.
• Knowledge and experience in countering violent extremism.
• Experience supervising teams of diverse staff and demonstrated leadership capacity and motivational skills.
• Previous experience managing USAID -funded programs is required.
• Demonstrated success in managing, implementing, and monitoring effective program budgets, work plans, operations, and personnel management strategies for projects of a similar scale and scope.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively working with the social, political, economic, and cultural context in the region required, and in Benin preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of working effectively to support youth’s positive development, gender equality, social inclusion and both men’s and women’s empowerment.
• Demonstrated experience in working effectively with senior government representatives at the local, and national level, local and national civil society actors, donors, USAID representatives, other implementing agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience implementing safeguarding and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse plans for program participants, partners, staff, and all additional program stakeholders.
• Program management and organizational skills in managing, implementing, and monitoring effective program budgets, finances, and personnel of projects of a similar scale and scope.
• Ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders effectively and collaboratively, including consortium partners, private sector, government counterparts, civil society, and others.
• Positive communication, adaptive management, and multi-cultural communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to a fast past, changing environment.
• Knowledge of countering violent extremism strategies are preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and French are required.
• Excellent in-person and virtual presentation skills are preferred.