Djibouti: Chief of Party III

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.

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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) will serve as the individual bearing primary responsibility for technical aspects of contract performance, including design and advice on methods, provide central oversight, and maintaining acceptable standards of quality for tasks assigned. Illustrative responsibilities may include the following:

• Manage the field office, including supervision of Djibouti-based expatriate and Djiboutian staff;
• Work with Offeror home office and local office staff to identify and nominate, for USAID approval, technical specialists/consultants for short-term technical assistance to meet the objectives of the project;
• Coordinate, as requested by USAID/Djibouti with USAID partner organizations, in conducting evaluation and performance management support tasks in accordance with work plan;
• Advise and educate other partners/USAID teams/other stakeholders on policies and services offered by the project;
• Supervise the development, implementation and reporting of evaluation and performance management support activities tasks in accordance with the workplan;
• Assure compliance with contract provisions, including annual work plans and other reports; and
• Transfer knowledge to local staff.

The Chief of Party (III)

• 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

• 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

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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, 15+ years of experience in public or private sector management, administration, and planning; international development, preferably in developing countries; monitoring and evaluation; and project design.

• 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

• Experience managing similar multi-faceted projects in the past is required

• The capacity to manage large complex programs (including subcontracts) in a multi-cultural environment and providing consulting services in helping clients analyze problems, devise solutions and adopt solutions thereto is essential

• Outstanding leadership skills

• Excellent analytical skills and aptitude for details

• Capacity to work in difficult conditions and function well under pressure

• Appropriate interpersonal skills to satisfy the requirements of the position

• Excellent English and French- language oral and writing skills are required

• Extensive international experience and experience in a developing country required

• Experience serving as Principal/Lead Investigator/Team Leader on USAID-funded program(s)/evaluation(s) preferred.

• Experience working in Djibouti and/or East Africa desirable.

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CONTACT**

EDC, 43 Foundry Ave, Waltham, MA 02453

No phone calls, please

Posted: 07/17/2017

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.

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