Save the Children is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for a five-year USAID-funded Improved Health & Nutrition Activity program in Guatemala. The program focuses on achieving significant and sustainable improvements in nutrition and health outcomes of target select municipalities of the Western Highlands, which will result in reductions of stunted children, and maternal and child morbidity and mortality, and lowering the prevalence of anemia and micro nutrient deficiencies. These results will occur by improving service delivery, incorporating digital advanced technology and strengthening health systems, especially of human resources for health (HRH) in Guatemala. Households with pregnant women and children under two years of age (i.e., 1000 days window of opportunity) will be a primary, though not the exclusive, focus of interventions. This senior leadership position will report to the Country Director and provide overall strategic, technical leadership, and oversight to the program. S/he will be responsible for overall financial management and administration of the activities.
The COP will be Save the Children’s primary point of contact with USAID and all relevant stakeholders. S/he will collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other critical partners to provide high-level support for effective capacity building at the local level and sustainability of the project interventions. The COP will oversee a team of experts and support staff, prepare reports and annual operating plans, align project initiatives with in-country priorities and ensure the program is compliant with USAID and Save the Children’s regulations. The project must be designed to align closely with the current objectives of the Government of Guatemala so that activities are complementary and create sustainability.
This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.
- Develop strategic plans, annual and quarterly work plans, and overall management of the program in line with USAID guidelines to achieve project objectives
- Ensure high quality technical leadership and oversight is in place to design and implement comprehensive public health interventions, and related capacity strengthening
- Advise senior policymakers, host country entities, including central and local governments, development partners, civil society and community-based organizations on health, nutrition and related policies
- Devise standards, guidelines and strategies and working with local and regional health authorities and communities to institutionalize activities
- Support the development of strong M&E mechanisms, program monitoring tools and efficient systems to ensure high quality implementation
- Establish compliance with USG regulations, procedures and Save the Children guidelines
- Represent Save the Children with partners and key stakeholders, maintain positive relationships with USAID, local ministries, and the country office team
- Establish effective communication and coordination with personnel from the government in order to implement interventions and incorporate country-wide priorities
- Actively participate as a member of the Country Extended Senior Management Team (ESMT), contributing to country strategic plans
- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where the project team strives to achieve excellence
- Lead professional and support staff, including oversight and evaluation of staff performance and deliverables, and contract management.
- Incorporate SC’s vision and values and full adherence to Code of Conduct principles
- Closely monitor security dynamics in the project areas and report to the Country Director on significant changes in the security context
- A minimum of 7 years of progressively increasing responsibility, working on large-scale, complex international development assistance and public health programs, OR a Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study and a minimum of 10 years of progressively increasing responsibility, working on large-scale, complex international development assistance and public health programs
- Appropriate balance of technical, managerial, and interpersonal skills and experience
- Depth and breadth of technical expertise and experience in designing and implementing comprehensive public health interventions, and related capacity strengthening
- A proven track record of successful performance of duties necessary to provide technical assistance and achieve the results for this program
- Demonstrated supervisory experience work that involved direct leadership of professional and support staff, oversight and evaluation of staff performance and deliverables, and grant/contract management.
- Experience managing donor funded procurements and familiarity with financial reporting and compliance requirements.
- Experience advising senior policymakers, host country entities, including central and local governments, development partners, civil society and community-based organizations on health, nutrition and related policies and devising standards, guidelines and strategies and working with local and regional health authorities and communities to institutionalize activities
- Demonstrated experience with progressively increasing responsibility for designing, managing, and implementing complex health activities, including in at least two of the following: Nutrition; Maternal, Neonatal, Child Health; Family Planning; Reproductive Health; and Water and Sanitation in developing countries involving multiple stakeholders and implementing partners
- Demonstrated ability to provide oversight of local capacity development efforts.
- Demonstrated experience strengthening service delivery and health systems.
- In-depth knowledge of USAID approaches and regulations
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations
- Creative problem solving skills with the ability to work effectively in resource-constrained environments
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish
- Regional experience, particularly in Guatemala, is required
- Prior experience as Chief of Party or Deputy COP preferred
- Meaningful work, with a knowledge that you are changing the lives of children all around the world
- A family friendly work environment
- Highly collaborative and innovative teams
- Generous paid vacation days, holidays, family leave days, and sick time
- Healthcare plans including medical, dental, and life insurance
- Retirement savings account with matching company contributions
- Structured and formalized management development and coaching programs for mid and senior level managers
- Extensive e-learning opportunities on a variety of topics offered through our affiliation with several prestigious universities as well as language learning opportunities