Chief of Party - Greater Internet Freedom

Job Description

We are currently seeking a Chief of Party (COP) candidate for the upcoming USAID/Global Greater Internet Freedom (GIF) Activity. GIF seeks to increase capacity of civil society and independent media, in countries where USAID works, on internet freedom issues relevant to country contexts. The activity will link local actors to regional and global expertise and dialogues in the internet freedom community, broadening that community to include voices and concerns from local civil societies and to bring global expertise and best practices to the local level. USAID, through this activity, seeks to advance internet freedom in the countries where it works by ensuring that digital security capacities, data awareness, and activism on behalf of an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure internet are available, adaptive, and integrated into the operation of independent media and civil society. The activity’s two primary objectives are: 1) improving the digital security practices of civil society, human rights defenders, and media; and 2) increasing the long-term and wide-ranging engagement of civil society on issues of internet governance.

The COP will be 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, media organizations, private sector actors, other donors, and all program stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

The Chief of Party (COP) will lead and manage QED’s efforts to achieve the program results. S/he will provide vision and overall leadership to activity operations; drive the achievement of program results by ensuring the provision of timely, relevant, high quality services; facilitate the intended mutually supportive relationship between QED and the client; serve as the primary point of contact with the client on day-to-day program implementation and management issues; supervise the work of all staff and partners assigned to tasks under the program; ensure timely, accurate and user-friendly reporting on the progress and status of all services provided under the program; and ensure compliance and integrity of operations.

1. Program Management of Planning, Implementation, and Monitoring Activities

• Define, gain consensus, and redefine the vision guiding implementation; identify and pursue targets of opportunity

• Develop a work plan with team members and initiate work plans’ implementation
• Direct and monitor execution of activities within the work plan, ensuring that there is consensus on project objectives; that activities are performed to a high professional standard; and objectives are met

• Identify issues and risks related to program implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate program adjustments
  

• Schedule regular meetings with the project team as a vehicle for guiding the project

• Allocate/reallocate contract resources, manage project budget, and ensure financial health for the project
• Ensure sound financial management including programmatic, budgeting, spending, projections, and monitoring of payments
• Determine causes and effects of deviations from work plan
• Anticipate potential future problems in time to ensure that preventive measures can be taken

• Using feedback received during project monitoring and

• evaluation activities propose and implement actions to remedy deviations from the work plan, or to change the work plan

• Reassess objectives, strategy, and/or plans

• If appropriate, recommend changes in project objectives and/or contract scope of work
  

2. Personnel Management

• Motivate staff to perform effectively toward project objectives, through communication, team building incentives, and responsiveness
  
• Create a positive working environment for all staff and ensure growth and professional development opportunities
  
• Define personnel needs and scopes of work
  
• Make final selections of personnel to be proposed to client
  
• Manage and evaluate work done by team members
  
• Conduct annual performance reviews and recommend/internally negotiate salary adjustments
  
• Determine whether/when/how to make early termination of field employees
  
• Ensure adequate and timely provision of contract-allowed benefits and allowances
  
• Deal with personnel issues and concerns of team members, ensuring their welfare and safety along with the Home Office HR team

3. Communications and Information Management

• Maintain two-way communication throughout the project with Client, team, home office, subcontractors and other relevant project organizations
  
• Communicate with interested individuals, organizations, stakeholders as needed
  
• Make formal and informal presentations on request by Client or as needed for other parties
  
• Prepare periodic reports to Client on progress towards project objectives
  
• Exercise “spin control”
  
• Represent Company interests
  
• Promote the project among Ministry/client department heads, professional groups, and other relevant people
  
• Establish criteria, guidelines, and formats for project plans and reports

4. Contract Management

• Execute contract in compliance with contract provisions
  
• Manage contract and project finances (budget and funds)
  
• Recommend changes in contract and budget
  
• Develop input for and guide response to audit questions and client feedback
  
• Manage commodity procurement, inventory and general logistics
  
• Ensure high quality in fulfilling contract
  
• Represent QED by protecting its contractual interests
  
• Oversee the performance of partners/sub-awardees

5. Technical

• Carry out technical duties
  
• Participate in effective information sharing and knowledge management
  

6. Other Duties and Responsibilities as Related to Assignment and Position

• Develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members
  
• Support identification of growth opportunities in the region for QED and participate in business development as needed
  
• Other duties as requested by QED Management and/or Project Director

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social sciences, community development, media and communications, cybersecurity, business, international development, or related field
  
• At least five years of progressively increasing responsibility in managing donor-supported programming in social sciences, community development, media and communications, business, international development, or related fields, including experience in internet freedom programming in an international context
  
• Demonstrated experience working with marginalized groups
  
• Experience providing strategic design, program planning, and program management services
  
• At least three years’ experience living and working in developing country environments
  
• Knowledge of and experience with USG-funded program management, policies, regulations, and procedures
  
• Proven ability to understand client needs, ensure client satisfaction, and deliver timely and appropriate solutions
  
• Excellent communication (oral and written), management, and interpersonal skills
  
• Foreign language proficiency in Spanish, French, or Arabic preferred

About the Organization

QED is a global consulting firm with more than 20 years of experience providing data-driven and insightful solutions in more than 90 countries. We are passionate about transforming lives through knowledge-based solutions. Leveraging deep expertise in monitoring, evaluation, global health, and learning, we help our clients collect, analyze, visualize, and ultimately use data in more effective ways. Our work maximizes results through the use of cutting edge technologies and innovation, organizational development, and evidence-based decision-making.