Chief of Party, CSM-STAND (Africa and MENA Region)

Job Description

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Department

Programs - Pact strives for a world where all people are heard, capable, and vibrant. The Programs Team helps realize this objective by bridging program management, technical support, and business development, enabling Pact to achieve its global strategy. We ensure program excellence through continuous learning, monitoring and evaluation and provide organizational and industry-wide thought leadership by leveraging a complementary set of cross-functional, multi-disciplinary skills, expertise, and experiences. The Programs team: influences progressive change through the development and implementation of global and regional strategies and business plans; supports advancement of innovative solutions; pursues new business opportunities; and drives effective internal and external engagement to maximize Pact’s impact across the globe. Across all aspects of its role, the Programs Department adheres to and promotes a culture of inclusion, accountability, and respect.

Position Overview

Pact is recruiting for a Chief of Party for the upcoming CSM-STAND Project to strengthen civil society globally. The program will have two regional geographic mandates, and this position is for the Africa and Middle East regions. The location of this position is flexible at the moment. The program will identify and develop of evidence-based effective approaches to strengthen civil society and media in open and closing environments. It will focus on designing and learning as well as fostering technical leadership and brokering connections between specific Associate Award projects to enhance outcomes and achieve economies of scale.

The COP is responsible for overall program management and will be expected to interact regularly with a diverse range of actors such as program staff, USAID/DRG staff, USAID Mission staff, civil society organizations, independent media organizations, private sector actors, other donors, and all program stakeholders and beneficiaries. This position is contingent upon award.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall technical direction of the project and management of project activities, providing leadership to the project team to ensure high quality programming to achieve project results.
• Serve as technical expert in civil society / governance reform or capacity development for local and regional organizations.
• Serve as the project’s primary liaison with USAID, partners, governments, and other key project stakeholders.
• Oversee project planning (i.e., development of work plans and operating budget) and reporting (i.e., review and approve periodic budgets and reports).
• Manage project budget to meet expected results, ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact resources.
• Ensure that provision of high-quality technical assistance to local implementing partners; conduct regular monitoring and mentoring visits to local partners.
• Ensure that all project reporting requirements are met to the highest standards.
• Oversee project staff in helping partners establish reporting and tracking systems to provide key information in an efficient and timely manner.
• Ensure close coordination with other relevant in-country initiatives.
• Develop and manage an ambitious learning agenda which advances evidence on key topics related to civil society and media, such as closing space, CSO sustainability and legitimacy, accountability, improved service delivery, and digital security.
• Represent the project at conferences, working groups, and meetings to support USAID and Pact’s thought leadership in democracy and governance.
• Broker and manage relationships and collaborative ventures with private sector partners.
• Provide regular written/oral program progress updates as requested.

Basic Requirements

• Master’s degree in social sciences, community development, media and communications, cybersecurity, business, international development, or other related field.
• Ten (10) years of related work experience in managing donor-supported programming in relevant areas of democracy, human rights, and/or governance, with substantial experience in the field of civil society and independent media.
• Demonstrated experience working with and empowering local partners and traditionally marginalized groups.
• Demonstrated record of achieving results through developing and leading sustainable efforts involving local and regional organizations and actors; designing innovative programmatic approaches to solve complex development problems; applied and iterative technical learning; and mainstreaming of diversity and inclusion considerations into technical and operational project management.
• English proficiency is required.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel internationally periodically.
• Eligibility to work in the US required.

About the Organization

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. The promise of a healthy life. Of a decent livelihood. Of sustainable natural resources that benefit communities. Now more than ever in its 42-year history, Pact is helping millions of people who are poor and marginalized discover and build their own solutions and take ownership over their future.
Pact enables systemic solutions that allow those who are poor and marginalized to earn a dignified living, be healthy, and take part in the benefits that nature provides. Pact accomplishes this by strengthening local capacity, forging effective governance systems, and transforming markets into a force for development.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.