Title: Chief of Party - Mali Local Governance
Reports to: Country Director, Mali
Location: Bamako, Mali
Travel: 10%
Expat/TCN Position: This position is open to Expatriates and Third Country Nationals.
Qualified Local candidates will be given equal opportunity and are encouraged to apply. Position contingent on Funding. Anticipated award date: April 2025.
Near East Foundation began its work in Mali in 1984 in response to a severe drought that left the country in crisis. NEF’s subsequent work in the country has largely focused on combating endemic poverty, improving food security, peacefully resolving conflicts, managing shared resources, and mitigating climate change impacts.
NEF has built enduring relationships and trust in northern Mali by providing effective and successful initiatives at multiple scales - from isolated villages to local governments to national policy arenas. NEF’s programs have directly improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and contributed to durable improvements in the regions of Mopti and Timbuktu.
NEF has become a leader and innovator in Mali. Combining rights-based institutional development, policy research and advocacy, and capacity building for local governments and community-based organizations, the models for sustainable natural resource management developed by NEF in rural Mali have spread across Africa.
Project Summary
NEF is looking for a Chief of Party (COP) to lead an upcoming USAID-supported initiative focused on local governance in Mali. The COP will be stationed in Bamako, Mali, and will provide technical guidance and manage program operations within the country. Responsibilities will include supervising both long-term personnel and short-term specialists to achieve program objectives while ensuring adherence to USAID rules and regulations. Additionally, the COP will be the Point of Contact (POC) and manage all communications with USAID, the Malian government, and fellow implementing partners.
Position Overview
The Chief of Party (COP) will provide technical direction, and leadership and will supervise long-term and short-term technical specialists. COP will regularly assess the context and operating environment of Mali to ensure programmatic adaptations in consultation with USAID and NEF Management.
Key responsibilities:
Qualifications:
Crosscutting:
Uphold NEF’s core values of localization, respect, inclusion, and integrity by helping to build an environment of accountability and learning, keeping work commitments and respecting colleagues’ time, listening to diverse colleagues, and participating in regular feedback and performance reviews.
Other duties as assigned.
We will accept a rolling application until the position is filled. Review of application will begin on June 26, 2024. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Please apply by submitting the following information to the Near East Foundation careers page:
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org
The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Employment Opportunities for all applicants seeking employment and NEF employees.
Pre-employment Checks
NEF’s strength is its people. Our team is our fuel to achieving the innovation, quality programming, community focus, mutual trust, sustainability and learning needed to realize our mission. To help our team thrive, we support a working structure that prioritizes flexibility, personal commitments, and staff well-being while promoting a work culture of teamwork, collaboration, respect, integrity, and excellence.
As an international organization, we value a truly diverse workforce and prioritize a culture of inclusivity and belonging. We strive to create a high-achieving work environment informed by different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. With a commitment to diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion in all we do, we aim to ensure that people feel heard, protected, and empowered to contribute to NEF’s mission from day one.
Near East Foundation began its work in Mali in 1984 in response to a severe drought that left the country in crisis. NEF’s subsequent work in the country has largely focused on combating endemic poverty, improving food security, peacefully resolving conflicts, managing shared resources, and mitigating climate change impacts.
NEF has built enduring relationships and trust in northern Mali by providing effective and successful initiatives at multiple scales - from isolated villages to local governments to national policy arenas. NEF's programs have directly improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and contributed to durable improvements in the regions of Mopti and Timbuktu.
NEF has become a leader and innovator in Mali. Combining rights-based institutional development, policy research and advocacy, and capacity building for local governments and community-based organizations, the models for sustainable natural resource management developed by NEF in rural Mali have spread across Africa.
The Near East Foundation (NEF) is a non-profit international development organization that has supported livelihoods recovery and community-based economic development in the Middle East, Africa, and Caucasus since 1915. NEF draws on local teams, experience, and partnerships in these regions to create community-led solutions to improve livelihoods and local governance among conflict and crisis-affected groups, while maintaining neutrality and ensuring inclusiveness in our approach. Working through a network of country offices and local partners, NEF currently has operations in ten countries: Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. Our programs are organized around three pillars: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate-resilient Development, and Stabilization and Peacebuilding.
