The Chief of Party (COP) is responsible for the overall management of the USAID-funded Strengthening Youth and Women's Civic Participation Program in Sudan, an Associate Award under the Civil Society and Media-Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM-STAND) Africa & Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Leader with Associates (LWA) Cooperative Agreement. The project aims to increase collaboration, sustainability, and resilience of civil society and independent media to advance the inclusion, participation and leadership of youth and women in Sudan. Following the outbreak of war in Sudan, the program pivoted operations to Nairobi and Kampala to adapt with a focus on supporting the growing and evolving needs of Sudanese civic actors. The program's administrative hub operates out of Nairobi alongside a program-focused office in Kampala.
Key Responsibilities
The COP leads the coordination of all activities across all relevant parties, including USAID/Sudan, civil society organizations, media outlets, key stakeholders, and other implementing partners. The COP oversees project staff, local partners, and CSM-STAND consortium and technical resource partners for results-oriented planning, leadership, and coordination of project activities. The COP role demands flexibility in overseeing staff in two countries working in support of Sudan program activities, in coordination with CSM-STAND management in Washington, DC. Specific activities include:
Ensure high-quality, results-oriented technical programming and responsible for program delivery, working in collaboration with the CSM-STAND management team.
Serve as the primary liaison with the USAID Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) on management and technical matters.
Ensure that the project meets stated goals, outcomes, benchmarks, and reporting requirements as required by the USAID Agreement.
Take a leadership role in coordination among USAID and key stakeholders, including partners, other stakeholders, civil society, and other USAID projects.
Manage and coordinate the implementation of activities across project partners, ensuring successful integration of activities.
Oversee and strategically manage the implementation of a program grant portfolio for supporting local partners, including the systems and monitoring mechanisms to ensure its effectiveness – all in close collaboration with Pact teams.
Ensure compliance with USAID rules/regulations and Pact processes, and liaise closely with Pact's U.S. team to ensure that all project activities are compliant with US Government rules and regulations, as well as consistent Pact's policies, procedures, and best practices.
Oversee program planning (i.e., development of work plans and project budget), monitoring and reporting (i.e., review and approve periodic budgets and technical and financial reports) in accordance with the highest standards.
Oversee the program budget and work in close coordination with Deputy COP to meet expected results, ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact's resources.
Manage a team of flexible and adaptive employees in multiple locations and oversee evidence-based adjustments in programming to achieve greater impact.
Ensure the program meets programmatic and financial targets and makes accurate projections.
Represent the project at conferences, working groups, and meetings to support USAID and Pact's thought leadership in local governance, capacity development, and civil society strengthening.
Serve as security focal person and ensure the safety and security of Pact's staff and its properties at all times.
Employee complies with all company policies and procedures, including completing all compliance training topics by the deadline to satisfy each and receiving the corresponding acknowledgment statement that the training has been completed.
All other duties as assigned
Basic Requirements
Master's degree and 11+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience, including 6 years of management experience.
At least eleven years of experience in the successful implementation of international development activities
At least eight years of experience as a COP or in a comparable managerial position on donor-funded democracy and governance projects.
Demonstrated ability to successfully operate and manage a large-scale grants program to support local partners.
Deep knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Sudan, as well as key actors within civil society.
Experience managing large and complex USAID contracts/awards in conflict-affected environments.
Ability to work in complex environments, and work with and between different stakeholders, including civil society organizations, media actors, private sector entities, and US Government agencies.
Experience building capacity for civil society organizations and/or media actors in Sudan and/or in the East Africa or Horn of Africa regions.
Demonstrated knowledge of USAID rules, regulations, and policies