Chief of Party, El Salvador

Overview

The Rights and Dignity Project is a USAID-funded Strengthening Human Rights Systems Program in El Salvador, which recently received a three-year extension. The Rights and Dignity Project seeks to strengthen governmental and non-governmental human rights protection systems, resulting in an increasingly tolerant, just, and equitable El Salvador. The Project is realizing this goal through the following objectives:

1. Increase effectiveness of human rights organizations and defenders to advocate for human rights and democracy in El Salvador.
2. Increase ability of selected key independent institutions to protect human rights in El Salvador.
3. Increase citizen awareness on human rights and democratic practices to prevent human rights abuses and discrimination.

Counterpart is seeking a qualified individual to serve as the Chief of Party (COP). The COP represents Counterpart before USAID, local and national partners, and other relevant donor organizations or partners in El Salvador, within the LAC region, and internationally. S/he will provide vision and technical leadership, as well as oversee staff management and development and ensure the highest quality of project monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and communications. This is a full-time position based in San Salvador, El Salvador, reporting to the Associate Director for Governance.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall project and staff leadership, management, quality control, and technical direction, while ensuring compliance with donor requirements and regulations and Counterpart policies and procedures.
• Build an integrated vision among diverse project components and stakeholders, with a focus on achieving results.
• Identify obstacles and risks related to implementation based in a timely manner and suggest appropriate adjustments to the home office and donor.
• Liaise with the USAID mission, other donors such as the EU, INL and others, as applicable.
• Represent the Project and Counterpart before Government of El Salvador (GOES) institutions, local CSOs (Civil Society Organizations), and other implementing organizations to coordinate activities and facilitate monitoring and reporting of project objectives and achievements.
• Lead strategy design and annual workplan development and oversee program monitoring and reporting.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Project’s sustainability strategy.
• Manage and supervise the work of project personnel, implementing partners, and grantees, with a focus on achieving work plan targets and core results in a timely manner and on budget.
• Oversee and coordinate the implementation of activities through partnerships with international multilateral organizations including the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights, the Inter-American Court for Human Rights, and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights which are led by the Technical Director.
• Oversee and manage the relationship for the successful implementation of the Human Rights Observatory grant issued by the project and implemented by the Central American University José Simeón Cañas (UCA).
• Manage the working relationship with the two project partners, Partners El Salvador and ConTextos.
• Provide mentoring and professional development support to project staff.
• In collaboration with the Deputy Chief of Party, oversee field office finances and administration of sub-awards.
• In collaboration with the Deputy Chief of Party, oversee field office HR (Human Resources) practices, ensuring hiring, employee evaluations and promotions are in compliance with Counterpart policies and procedures.
• Ensure that long and short-term technical assistance provided by the project is technically sound and appropriate for the local context in close collaboration with the Technical Director.
• Participate in specialized content (technical) events such as workshops and roundtables, support knowledge management, and share learning across key networks.
• Coordinate activities between the field office and Counterpart headquarters.
• Leverage networks, program investments, and project successes to seek opportunities for program expansion and promoting Counterpart’s practice areas.
• Represent Counterpart and the Project at international and regional events, as necessary.
• Ensure that all Counterpart staff, visitors, and consultants read, understand, and follow Counterpart safety and security rules, regulations, and policies in their country of operations.
• Work closely with Counterpart’s Safety and Security department in order to protect staff, assets, infrastructure, and reputation as required.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities, as required.

Qualifications

Required:

• Degree or equivalent in Public Administration, Political Science, Human Rights Law or other relevant field.
• Minimum of fifteen years related experience; at least ten years of experience working in human rights, civil society, and/or justice strengthening, preferably in El Salvador or the Latin American region.
• Successful track record in leadership and personnel management, demonstrating strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Demonstrated skill in supervising, designing, managing, and implementing donor-funded technical assistance projects for human rights and civil society strengthening.
• Deep understanding of Salvadoran current human rights protection environment and the justice and security sector.
• Knowledge of USAID and other USG assistance policies and reporting requirements, and previous experience in managing complex USG or bilateral donor-funded projects with sub-grants portfolio.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to lead and work on a multi-partner team.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with senior government officials, civic leaders, and international donors.
• Strong multicultural, interpersonal, and supervisory skills.
• Demonstrated record of championing social inclusion across programming, such as gender integration and inclusion of women, youth, internally displaced persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic and religious minorities, and other marginalized communities.
• Knowledgeable about USAID’s inclusive development frameworks.
• Professional proficiency in Spanish and English required

Preferred:

• Master’s Degree (or higher) in relevant field.
• Previous experience as a Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, and/or Team Leader of a comparable multi-dimensional USAID project.

We can recommend jobs specifically for you! Click here to get started.