EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)
EDC is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms. EDC designs, implements, and evaluates programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity worldwide. Collaborating with both public and private partners, we strive for a world where all people are empowered to live healthy, productive lives.
EDC is committed to diversity in the workplace.
The International Development Division has an opening for a Chief of Party (III), reporting to the Project Director. The position is located in Djibouti. The Chief of Party (COP) for the Djiboutian Workforce Development Project (WFD) will have primary responsibility for leading EDC’s consortium (Cardno Emerging Markets, Taking IT Global and Souktel). To reduce unemployment in Djibouti by improving workforce readiness and competitiveness based on market needs, and to stimulate and support development of a strong workforce development system, with public and private organizations knit together, informed by and responsive to the real demands of a changing labor market. This five-year cooperative agreement is funded by USAID.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.
The Chief of Party (III) has overall responsibility for leading and managing an international project’s administrative, programmatic, technical, and operational aspects in the field — in collaboration with Project Director and in accordance with EDC, funder, and host country requirements — to achieve project success. S/he
- Strategizes, sets priorities; leads implementation, and reviews technical progress
- Establishes, maintains, and is responsible for the ongoing administrative and financial operation of project offices with accountability to home office
- Develops and monitors budgets, records, databases, and reference information
- Determines resource needs and oversees resource use
- Selects, hires, and supervises staff and local subcontractors; assigns roles & responsibilities; manages performance
- Meets contractual obligations
- Implements regulatory compliance directives appropriate to the host country & funder
- Develops policies & procedures to improve efficiency and quality, in conjunction with home office
- Recommends prospective business development opportunities; may conduct comparative or competitive analysis
- Conveys organizational philosophy and values
- May direct project, program, or product development teams in planning for proposal submissions, drafting proposals, and achieving agreed-upon objectives
- May manage website content
The Chief of Party (III)
- Is responsible for partnering successfully with home office Project Director, Center, Business Services, expatriate and local staff
- Is a representative of EDC and the project in the host country, interfacing with the ministry, or other government leaders, the funder, and others; builds positive client, vendor, and funder relations
- Demonstrates diplomacy and leadership to foster an atmosphere of teamwork, productivity, creativity, fairness, equity, and innovation, in support of EDC’s commitment to diversity
- Negotiates and mediates effectively
- Interacts with large numbers of program participants or team members, guiding feedback exchanges, facilitating problem-solving, and providing expertise
- Oversees financial, administrative and logistical coordination; secures consensus about priorities and competing workload demands
- Supervises technical, management, and administrative staff; directs and coordinates work of team leaders &/or project managers
- Organizes and coaches teams
- Fosters excellent communications among all parties, including with EDC home offices
- Oversees training programs, workshops, conferences, or other collaborations
- Travels
- Manages and coordinates activities of subcontractors and all partners to create synergy
QUALIFICATIONS
This position requires educational achievement; excellent writing skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; and strong interpersonal & organizational skills. Specific requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree or PhD preferred
- With Bachelor’s degree, 12+ years related experience, including a minimum of 8 years supervisory/project management or program development experience
- With Master’s degree, 10+ years related experience (as above)
- With PhD, 8+ years related experience (as above)
- Specific technical expertise relevant to the projects, programs and operations
- Outstanding leadership skills
- Excellent analytical skills and aptitude for details
- Capacity to work in difficult conditions and function well under pressure
- Professional Proficiency in English and French
- Extensive international experience and experience in a developing country required
- Experience managing USAID projects
CONTACT
EDC, 43 Foundry Ave, Waltham, MA 02453
No phone calls, please
Posted: 07/03/2017
As an EOE/AA employer, EDC does not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status. EDC is a smoke-free workplace.
More Information
- Job City Djibouti
