Category: Manager
Req ID: CHIEF01945
Posted Date: 2020-02-12
Schedule: Full Time
Location: Juba, South Sudan SSD

Background:

Creative Associates International (Creative) is a dynamic and fast-growing professional services firm that specializes in international development in the areas of education, democratic transitions and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Washington, D.C., the firm currently has a field presence in over 20 countries worldwide with a strong and diverse portfolio that includes global contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other clients. The firm has earned a solid reputation among its clients and missions worldwide and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Position Summary:

Creative Associates International (Creative) is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated USAID funded education project in South Sudan. The COPwill be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the project and will be the senior in-country project representative with overall responsibility for supervising project staff, and managing relations with partners and sub-contractors, both international and local. The COP will take a leadership role in the coordination of program activities among a diverse group of stakeholders and beneficiaries: Ministry of Education, local and international Non-Governmental Organizations, society organization representatives, community and business members, and USAID personnel. The COP will oversee and ensure timely project implementation, monitoring of activities, and management of project staff and subsidiaries. The COP has ultimate responsibility for project financial accountability and reporting to USAID and Creative Associates’ home office.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Chief of Party will report to the Project Director at Creative headquarters.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead the overall technical and financial performance of the contract, including program planning, budgeting, and Monitoring and Evaluation;
• Supervise program progress and coordinate program activities across South Sudan;
• Recruit, hire, and manage national staff and consultants as needed to carry out activities;
• Manage in-country staff to ensure that the project is achieving all deliverables;
• Ensure that technical, financial, and administrative activities are carried out according to USAID and Creative’s policies and procedures;
• Ensure the appropriate implementation of accounting, personnel, IT, and operating procedures are consistent with Creative policies, as well as tailored to meet local needs;
• Work in partnership with the Project Director in the Home Office. Engage in frequent, routine communication so that the Project Director is aware of both progress and potential issues, and solicits assistance and input as needed to ensure that performance meets or exceeds technical and financial contractual requirements;
• Manage subcontractors, both international and local, to ensure that their performance meets or exceeds technical and financial contractual requirements;
• Responsible for maintaining and nurturing Creative’s relationship with the Contracting Officer Representative at USAID/South Sudan;
• Responsible for successfully managing the project’s relationship with local governments/ministries and other stakeholders;
• Prepare and ensure timely reporting including quarterly and annual reports;
• Oversee creation and implementation of project monitoring and evaluation activities, and the development and implementation of work plans;
• Support implementation of Creative’s security protocols and provide leadership in handling security-related issues. Address local staffing and personnel issues related to security;
• Maintain a working knowledge of project financials, working with and supporting the financial officer to ensure that appropriate systems and procedures are in place and being followed; and
• Represent the project in local, national, and international meetings and events as appropriate.

  Required Skills & Qualifications:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience working on education development, at least five years of which have been spent in COP or Deputy COP (DCOP) positions, or their equivalents;
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in establishing systems and overseeing project start-up;
• Experience hiring and supervising personnel and ensuring they acquire the necessary training and skills to meet evolving program needs;
• Experience working for large donor organizations such as USAID is preferable;
• Advanced degree (Masters or Doctorate) in an education-related field;
• Prior work in the East Africa region is highly desirable;
• Strong leadership, program, organizational management and communication skills; and
• Fluency in English is required.
  Position contingent upon donor funding.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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