Save the Children is recruiting an experienced Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated USAID project providing support to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Malawi. The Chief of Party (COP) will work with Save the Children’s existing country office, but will be solely responsible for the overall management of this USAID award. S/he will provide strategic and operational leadership to develop and implement a successful and integrated multi-sectoral program that builds upon existing USAID and Government of Malawi investment and that will achieve sustainable outcomes. All posts are contingent on the issuance of USAID funding and the selection of applicants is subject to USAID approval.
This key project is a five‐year program aimed to reduce HIV impact, vulnerability and risk, as well as increase high impact HIV services among orphans and vulnerable children and adolescents in targeted communities. The goal for this program is improved health, nutrition, psycho-social well-being and educational outcomes; and reduced abuse of children affected by HIV. The program seeks to advance ownership at the local level of a comprehensive, integrated, community-based AIDS response to mitigate the impact of HIV on orphans and vulnerable children.
This position may be based in Lilongwe or Blantyre.
What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)
The COP will liaise closely with USAID, Government of Malawi representatives, Save the Children’s Headquarters and Country Offices, as well as partner organizations. The COP will be the principal representative of the project and will ensure adherence to overall technical and programmatic quality in implementation, in compliance with USAID rules and regulations, and the timely submission of all deliverables to USAID, including annual work plans, performance monitoring plans, semi-annual reports and annual reports as may be required. The COP will be responsible for the overall direction and coordination of the activities of any sub-recipient partners under this grant.
This key position will require travel across the region and to program areas. Responsibilities will include:
- Technical Leadership (Estimated at 20%)
- Establish and guide overall technical direction of the project.
- Staff Management and Supervision (Estimated at 20%)
- Supervise key program staff, both technical and managerial, and oversee the hiring process of all local personnel.
- Partner and sub-grantee management (Estimated at 20%)
- Provide oversight and coordination with international and national sub-recipient partners.
- Serve as key liaison with Save the Children partners and any local sub-grantees.
- Provide overall coordination of the institutional/organizational and technical capacity building of local partners and stakeholders.
- Lead the program’s strategic, financial, and operational planning, including the annual work planning process and development of an appropriate exit strategy. (Estimated at 20%)
- Ensure that efficient systems to support all aspects of the program including sub-grant management, financial, capacity building and performance monitoring and reporting are in place and support the effective use of program resources in compliance with USAID regulations and Save the Children policies.
- Act as principal representative and liaison to all external stakeholders, including but not limited to USAID and the Government of Malawi. (Estimated at 20%)
- Oversee the timely submission of all deliverables to USAID.
Required Qualifications
- Advanced degree in international relations, public health, or related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of field-based experience managing large and complex overseas, multi-partner development programs, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Experience managing large scale USAID funded project(s) at a senior level.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and familiarity with USAID policies, regulations, and procedures.
- Experience in managing large child-focused field programs for an international NGO.
- Demonstrated skills in strategic and program planning and understanding of HIV/AIDS-related support services.
- Demonstrated skills in leadership and supervision of staff and teams.
- Familiarity with USAID regulations and policies, with specific understanding of PEPFAR guidelines, rules and regulations.
- Extensive experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa; specific work experience in Malawi is desirable.
- Proven experience building capacity of local NGOs and government bodies.
- Proven ability in promoting and collaborating closely with multi-level stakeholders.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills. Fluency in English required.
- Malawian candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Strong level of technical and/ or managerial knowledge, skills, and experience to direct the operational activities of a unit or team, or provide technical advice, guidance and management related to various size programs, grants or projects.
More Information
- Job City Malawi
