Chief of Party
Job Description
Opportunity
The International Development Division focuses on improving the lives and economic well-being of people in lower and middle-income countries. We command technical expertise in health, agriculture, climate change, food security and governance—as well as in international evaluation. Our multi-layered health portfolio includes policy, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management. In partnership with government clients and local experts, our high-quality programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are known for impact and innovation.
Abt Associates is currently seeking a qualified Chief of Party (COP) for the upcoming five-year USAID Liberia Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) project. The COP will be responsible for ensuring effective implementation of the project, represent Abt to USAID and project stakeholders, and is responsible for coordination among USAID-funded projects. The COP will also lead collaboration with Liberia’s Ministry of Health and other ministries, and will ensure the project achieves targets in an effective and compliant manner. Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.
The position will be based in Monrovia, and is contingent upon contract award to Abt Associates.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
- Provide management leadership (programmatic, financial and administrative) for the project ensuring full alignment with national and international standards.
- Oversee the implementation of the project ensuring the achievement of all project deliverables and targets in a timely manner.
- Lead development of the overall HSS strategy and design with the DCOP and other senior level technical staff.
- Effectively represent Abt and build and maintain excellent, productive relationships with USAID and government counterparts and relevant civil society organizations and serve as a leader in the health community.
- Provide vision and guidance to the project staff, and manage and resolve employee relations issues.
- Identify obstacles and risks related to implementation in a timely manner and implement strategies to overcome them.
- Supervise and oversee the work of project staff, partners, and subcontractors.
- Exercise sound financial management skills including effective project spending.
- Uphold the standards of Abt Associates to lead a high performing team; ensure strict compliance to USAID and Abt’s policies, regulations and internal controls.
- Guide the learning agenda for the project, use lessons learned to modify project approaches and strategies, and disseminate findings.
- Review technical materials to ensure high quality products.
Preferred Skills / Prerequisites
- Master’s Degree or higher in Public Health, Policy and Governance, Business or other relevant field.
- At least 15 years of senior-level experience designing, implementing, and managing or evaluating complex health programmes with an emphasis on health systems strengthening; health financing; health sector policy and strategies.
- Demonstrated technical depth and understanding of the health policy environment and governance in Liberia or in a country of similar development context; experience in Liberia preferred.
- Demonstrated success managing complex international donor programs; previous USAID project management experience strongly preferred
- Experience building and maintaining partnerships with other projects, local organizations, host country governments and international agencies.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills in English required.