Chief of Party (COP) Project HOPE

Project HOPE seeks a Chief of Party (COP) to provide vision, leadership, and direction to ensure the strategic, programmatic, technical, and financial integrity of an upcoming USAID Leading Organizational Capacity and Localization Development Activity (LOCAL) project in Zambia. This project aims to support the organizational capacity of current USAID/Zambia local implementing partners to manage, implement, and monitor programs that effectively and efficiently deliver sustainable quality development outcomes and impactfully influence local development agendas.

The COP will act as the primary point of contact with USAID Zambia with regard to day-to-day implementation and management matters relating to the contract. The COP will be responsible for the overall program leadership, management, and technical direction of staff and consultants, project activities such as implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation, and partner coordination. He/she is supposed to serve as key liaison with USAID, government counterparts, and local partners. The COP will manage and supervise the work of program personnel and subcontractors/subgrantees and ensure that all program assistance is technically sound and appropriate. He/she also oversees program work planning, performance management, and strategic communication.

This position will be based in Zambia. This is a Cooperating Country National (CCN) position and individuals who are citizens or permanent residents of Zambia are encouraged to apply.
This position is contingent upon award.

Code of Conduct 

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment.  Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability and transparency.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction to ensure the programmatic and financial integrity of the integrated health project and to achieve rapid and sustained project goals, objectives, and targets
• Manage the project’s operational, financial, and administrative priorities; direct the planning and budgeting processes; design and oversee an annual project cycle in accordance with USAID’s annual planning cycles
• Serve as technical lead in designing, implementing, and overseeing the aspects of the activity
• Ensure compliance with USAID operational policies and regulations and compliance with the project results and oversight of project activities to achieve the stated objectives
• Ensure the development of strong M&E mechanisms, program monitoring tools and efficient systems to ensure high quality implementation
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships and alliances with USAID, the Zambian Ministry of Health, other implementing partners, private sector partners and other key stakeholders in Zambia to maximize resources and avoid duplication of effort
• Represent Project HOPE’s interests and present progress, achievements and lessons learned to key Zambian stakeholders including USAID and implementing partners in public and professional circles through meetings, conferences, and presentations
• Provide technical leadership in the design, analysis, and synthesis of interventions
• Develop strategic plans, annual and quarterly work plans, and overall management of the program in line with USAID guidelines to achieve project objectives
• Ensure the quality and sustainability of interventions within Government health facilities particularly in the areas of health systems strengthening and capacity building of staff and national partners
• Participate in relevant technical advisory groups with counterparts and partner institutions
• Lead the annual work planning process in close collaboration with USAID, Zambia Ministry of Health, project team, and project partners
• Oversee preparation of periodic project reports to donor
• Mentor, support, supervise, and manage a team of highly qualified staff and align their efforts to ensure rapid and sustainable results
• Provide guidance, in collaboration with key staff, to subcontractors and subgrantees and coordinate activities with other agencies
• Manage multiple project partners
• Write and/or review technical components of materials and publications related to integrated health and its development
• Ensure resources for project implementation are available
• Work with finance and project staff to develop and track project budgets and ensure project is implemented in budget
• Work with Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) staff to develop M&E frameworks and effectively track data and results and establish a culture of data for decision making
• Work closely with Project HOPE home office staff to ensure effective, timely and coordinated project implementation
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Public Health, International Development or relevant field is preferred. Applicable experience in the field of public health and related work can also substitute for a Master’s degree
• At least 13 years of demonstrated experience managing operational, project management and administrative duties for the U.S. Government–funded projects or other internationally funded programs
• Previous Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, or senior management experience in public health, health system strengthening, and/or related field
• Proven experience in managing complex public health systems strengthening involving coordination with multiple program partner institutions
• Leadership skills in designing, managing, and implementing, monitoring and evaluation of donor-supported programs as well ability to manage programmatic and financial reporting requirements, including sub-grants management
• Experience and technical expertise working on capacity building and local governance, particularly in an international development context
• Demonstrated experience managing consortiums and building capacity of local organizations
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in establishing systems and overseeing project start-up
• Previous experience working in Zambia (or similar), with intimate understanding of local health system and health systems strengthening, family planning /reproductive health, and maternal, neonatal, and child health care gaps and opportunities, and solid relationships at government agencies
• Understanding of the Zambian (or similar) social and political context, and developments in the health sector
• Experience hiring and supervising personnel and ensuring they acquire the necessary training and skills to meet evolving program needs
• Excellent diplomacy skills and a proven ability to establish and sustain interpersonal and professional relationships with USAID missions, host-country counterparts and representatives from other key stakeholders such as NGOs, PVOs, the private sector and other donors
• In-depth knowledge of USAID projects, regulations, compliance, and reporting
• Demonstrated outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, organizational, team-building, and representational skills
• Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines, and intense pressure to perform
• Fluency of English in reading/writing/speaking is required and additional fluency in local language is preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and data collection software
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required

Work environment:

• Typical office environment with exposure to a minimal noise level
• Emergency deployments may be in resource-deprived environments with austere living conditions
• Travel for extended periods may be by air and/or other modes of transportation
• While international travel is not a regular part of every job, programmatic needs may require it intermittently
• Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship”

Due to the large number of inquiries, we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be considered. No phone calls please.

However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise.

Thank you very much for your interest in Project HOPE.