FHI 360 is currently recruiting for the position of Chief of Party for a USAID/Central Asia civil society project. This proposed five-year project will strengthen civil society organizations across Central Asia to better represent the interests of citizens and act both as an effective partner and, when necessary, hold the government accountable for being responsive to citizens' needs and interests.
The Chief of Party (COP) will be responsible for providing overall vision, leadership and guidance of the project. S/he will be the project’s main point of contact for USAID and all other stakeholders, including civil society actors and government counterparts. The COP will also be responsible for overall project management and technical operations to ensure that the project tasks are completed and that the objectives of the project are successfully met. It is expected that the COP will be located in Almaty, with anticipated project-funded travel throughout Central Asia.
- Lead the Contractor’s team and serve as the primary point of contact with USAID regarding the day-to-day activity implementation and management matters relating to the contract.
- Ensure that all assistance provided under the contract is technically sound and appropriate for the needs to be addressed.
- Manage and supervise the work of experts/personnel provided under the contract.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for information on the progress and current status of all activities under the contract.
- Establish appropriate monitoring mechanisms to ensure that activity progress and specific implementation concerns are regularly and promptly reported and that project objectives are met.
- Manage the preparation and presentation of work plans, M&E plans, and all reports.
- Facilitate ongoing project learning and adaptive management.
- Ensure that solid relationships are built and maintained between and among FHI 360 and sub-contractor project staff, USAID, and key local stakeholders and partners.
- At least 8-10 years of experience leading civil society programs is required; experience in Central Asia or a relevant context preferred.
- Relevant experience in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with civic actors, CSOs and local government is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated success across the whole range of project management responsibilities including: strategic program planning; work planning and budgeting; financial, administrative, contractual management and oversight;
- Knowledge of USAID policies and procedures;
- Experience promoting civic engagement, advocacy, and/or supporting local community initiatives;
- Experience recruiting, forming, and successfully managing teams and ensuring the quality of their products;
- Knowledge of the political, social, cultural, environmental and development context of working in Central Asia;
- Excellent interpersonal and intercultural skills with demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations, as well as mentor national staff;
- Past representational experience with host governments, other donors, and civil society and media and demonstrated success with inter-agency coordination and joint programming;
- Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity;
- Experience supporting regional or multi-country programming preferred;
- Fluent spoken and written English required and full or moderate proficiency in spoken and written Russian.