Chief of Party USAID Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management Activity

Overview

Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their own development in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous and equitable global community. We work with government, non-government, private sector, and community stakeholders to promote transparency, foster accountability, and access the channels they need to make their voices heard, promote change, and realize their full potential.

Global Communities is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Activity**.** The purpose of this five-year $25-50M activity is to enable timely anticipatory and early action to preempt crises and reduce the impact of shocks in Ethiopia by strengthening disaster risk management (DRM) planning and preparedness, improving DRM coordination, and enhancing resource mobilization and management. The activity will also strengthen gender in emergencies {GiE) capacity, increase private sector engagement in DRM, and expand local organizations' capacity to engage in DRM.

The COP will lead and oversee the overall implementation of the program, including technical strategy, financial and operational leadership, and human resources. We are looking for passionate, dedicated professionals to help us build the world we envision: one of expanded opportunity, where crises give way to resilience and all people thrive.

Responsibilities

The COP is responsible for overall program implementation, strategic vision, and outcome achievement.  The COP provides an integrated vision for the program and will manage a team of senior staff to ensure the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities generated under the project.  S/he will utilize the principles of adaptive management to maximize impact and facilitate innovation. Finally, the COP will be responsible for communications with USAID, for publicly representing the project, and for liaising with government and other institutions/stakeholders on issues related to disaster risk management and project activities.

Specific responsibilities include the following:

• Provide program leadership, direction, and supervision, including oversight of staff, consultants, and partners, monitoring and evaluation, and program implementation.
• Ensure implementation of technical interventions, resulting in concrete and specific outcomes.
• Lead regular work plan, budget, and implementation reviews to facilitate the cost-effective and timely achievement of contract deliverables.
• Manage team members, including highly specialized technical staff, to deliver against the annual workplan.
• Ensure project activities maximize impact and are completed in compliance with Global Communities, USAID rules and regulations, local laws, and donor agreement requirements.
• Oversee the production and submission of timely activity and financial reports to USAID, effectively and accurately communicating project progress, achievements, challenges, and utilization of funds.
• Meet program targets, as well as fiscal integrity of the use of program funds.
• Act as primary point of contact with USAID, government counterparts, and other critical in-country stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong working relations with key internal and external stakeholders, beneficiaries, prime and subcontractors, suppliers, and partners. Provide effective and timely responses to inquiries and concerns.
• Foster good working relationships with other agencies working on similar or complimentary projects, maximizing visibility and learning.
• Be the principal point of contact with other agencies and individuals working on related projects and activities.
• Ensure that lessons learned are disseminated and applied.
• Represent Global Communities and overall program interests as necessary and appropriate.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a discipline related to international development, public policy/administration, disaster risk management or climate science with a minimum of 10 years of experience managing multi-sectoral projects with increasing responsibilities and duties in fields related to Disaster Risk Management or,
• Five (5) years’ experience as Chief of Party, senior management position, or equivalent, leading implementation of large international donor programs particularly related to humanitarian response, disaster risk management, resilience, climate change adaptation and/or market systems strengthening.
• Experience in East Africa, with preference for recent work in Ethiopia.
• Proven experience in a leadership position involving the administration of similarly sized, international donor-supported programs with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting is strongly preferred. International NGO or for-profit contractor experience is strongly preferred.
• High level of interpersonal, technical, and analytical skills, including a demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaborate with a broad range of public and private sector counterparts and other key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated familiarity with relevant DRM principles and frameworks, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of relevant USAID policies and strategies, including USAID’s Climate Strategy, Resilience Policy, and Locally Led Development Initiatives; Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy; and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting Framework.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with government officials, civil society organizations, private sector actors, implementing partners, international donors, and other stakeholders.
• Knowledge/experience with USAID rules and regulations required; experience managing USAID contracts preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of relevant local laws, regulations and policies is
• Management/supervisory experience is required.
• Proven ability to communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams is desired.
• Evidence of effective communication skills, both oral and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the agreement is desired.
• Languages: Full Professional Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A passion for the mission and values of Global Communities.