FHI 360 is seeking applications for a Chief of Party for an anticipated USAID Support for Higher Education Activity in Afghanistan project which will build on current investments made by USAID Afghanistan in higher education and post-secondary level vocational training opportunities to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to meaningfully contribute to the workforce. The anticipated project is expected to introduce opportunities for market driven degree programs, development of leadership and soft skills among students and faculty, and to support public universities with organizational development and policy reform.
The COP will provide leadership, managerial and technical support throughout the implementation of the project and will be responsible for the administration, program management, performance monitoring and technical implementation and oversight of all program activities. The COP will serve as the principal institutional liaison to the Afghan Government and USAID/Afghanistan and is expected to have regular communication with the USAID/Afghanistan Agreement Officer’s Representative. The COP is responsible for ensuring compliance with FHI 360 policies and procedures and USG rules and regulations. The COP is responsible for ensuring sub-awardee compliance and monitoring quality of program implementation. The position will be based in Kabul, Afghanistan. Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project and the selection of final applicant is subject to USAID approval.
- Provide overall management, strategic direction, and leadership to the project to achieve expected project results within budget and timeframe
- Serve as principal liaison to USAID Afghanistan and the Afghanistan Government and ensure high level of coordination and nurture relationships with all key stakeholders including Ministry of Higher Education, partner universities, local and regional public universities, career centers, innovation centers, and other partner institutions on administrative, financial and programmatic matters related to the project;
- Liaise with USG partners and other donors and implementing agencies to ensure coordination of and synergy with other USAID/Afghanistan education and workforce development activities.
- Oversee report preparation to meet USAID and corporate reporting requirements to document program performance and monitor overall award compliance
- Lead preparation of annual work-plans, project activity updates, and other project-related communication and reporting materials
- Provide overall financial oversight of the budget over the life of the project
- Oversee a team of senior technical, program and finance staff and ensure clear roles and responsibilities and lines of communication are maintained amongst the team members Supervising all project staff, including ensuring that field staff regularly prepare and update performance data;
- Represent the project at regional, national and international forums, including technical conferences, policy briefings, etc.
- Overseeing the annual project planning cycle on the development of comprehensive annual work-plans and budgets in accordance with the USAID annual planning cycle;
- Submitting monthly, quarterly and annual project progress reports to USAID, Ministry of Higher Education and other partners;
- Overseeing the identification of technical assistance needs at the institutional and system levels including support for planning units, committees, directorates, faculty development and student engagement; liaise with private sector higher education institutions, and regional instituions.
- Overseeing management systems for the cost-effective implementation of all project activities;
- Developing suitable scopes of work for the engagement and execution of technical assistance contracts as needed.
- A minimum of 15 years of project management experience with at least five years of experience in Afghanistan with progressively increasing responsibility designing, implementing, managing and leading large development programs involving multiple partners, stakeholders and geographic target areas in a conflict or post-conflict setting.
- A minimum of five years prior experience as a Chief of Party or similar leadership role of similar size and complexity.
- A minimum of five years of experience working in the higher education sector and managing relationships with public and private universities.
- Demonstrated ability through previous experience leading a technical activity through evidence and data driven decision making.
- Demonstrated ability through previous experience to establish and maintain productive working relationships with a wide network of partners and stakeholders
- Demonstrated ability through previous experience to liaise with senior government officials, dignitaries, executives of NGOs, FBOs, CBOs, and the for-profit business community, and senior members of the donor community and
- Excellent interpersonal, writing and oral presentation skills in English.
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