Cameroon: Chief of Party

Position Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon

Background:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Position Summary:

In USAID/OTI programs, the Chief of Party commonly serves the traditional responsibilities of a Chief Operating Officer and is not a traditional Chief of Party role due to the USAID/OTI­ Contractor relationship and key decision making processes.

Reporting & Supervision: The Chief of Party will report to the Project Director at Creative headquarters.

Primary Responsibilities:

Based on USAID/OTI's experiences, a strong COP for an USAID/OTI SWIFT Program should:

• Be willing to have close, daily collaboration with USAID/OTI's in-country staff.
• Take programmatic and strategic direction from USAID/OTI staff.
• Have strong management, mentorship, and leadership skills.
• Given the anticipated small footprint, be both a strategic program manager and a "hands on" manager who is actively engaged in all aspects of program strategy, design, evaluation, and management.
• Understand USAID/OTI's need for direct program communication with all program staff.
• Have demonstrated past representational experience with host governments, other donors, and civil society and demonstrated success with inter-agency coordination and joint programming ideally.
• Be flexible.

The Chief of Party is responsible for:

• Responsible for making key operational decisions and solving problems in short time frames while ensuring operational and program integrity. Overall program direction is provided by USAID/OTI through the TOCOR and USAID/OTI Country Representative.
• Responsible for all directly programmatic aspects of the program (activity design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting) in consultation with the OTI CR, and/or the CR's designee. May include direct activity development and oversight.
• Responsible for financial and program management, oversight, and reporting of Contractor progress and quality of performance in meeting the activity undertakings in this program.
• The Contractor's designated person for overall management of the in-country relationship with USAID/OTI.
• Responsible for supervising program design, implementation, and management.
• Under the guidance of the USAID/OTI Country Representative, responsible for contributing to the design and implementation of the M&E system at both the activity level (ensuring that all activities are monitored and evaluated) and beyond the activity level (outcomes and impact).

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Relevant work experience, including experience with a Contractor, international NGO, or donor managing an office or program.
• A minimum of six (6) years of experience supervising complex, high-speed and challenging field operations in developing countries.
• Experience with programs that provide quick delivery of assistance in response to emerging windows of opportunity.
• Experience with grants management, preferably in-kind and small grants.
• Experience working in developing countries is required, preferably in a fragile or transitional state environment. Knowledge of programming in Cameroon and/or Lake Chad Basin is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in establishing systems and overseeing program start-up under limited time constraints as well as program close-out.
• Experience in the hiring, training and supervising of host country local personnel and ensuring, when need arises, that they secure necessary training required to meet program needs.
• Financial management experience, including budgeting and financial management (tracking, reporting and accounting).
• Experience with activity design, development, and implementation.
• Demonstrated working proficiency in French and English is required.
• Experience with remote management in transition environments highly desired.

Local and regional candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

This position is contingent upon donor funding.

Please apply online: https://rew21.ultipro.com/CRE1010/JobBoard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*050A5B7AF8BE6658