Chief of Party (Open Call for Interest)

Job Description

This opportunity is an open call for interest and is contingent on contract award, which is expected to be confirmed in June 2024.

OPPORTUNITY

This is a great opportunity based in Kenya for a seasoned Chief of Party (CoP) who is seeking their next fulfilling opportunity focusing on marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management in Eastern and Southern Africa.

• Are you passionate about marine biodiversity and conservation?
• Do you consider a focus on women and youth as a high priority?
• Do you want to lead change within a growing mission-driven company that fosters knowledge sharing and individual growth? 

If yes, please submit your CV and expression of interest for an upcoming USAID-funded opportunity, Conserving the Western Indian Ocean Activity.

PURPOSE & NEED

The USAID-funded Conserving the Western Indian Ocean Activity solicitation is expected to be released in November 2023 with an award date by June 2024. It will be a 5-year activity and expected to be managed out of the USAID Kenya/East Africa Mission. The target countries may include Kenya, Somalia, the Seychelles, Comoros, South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Mauritius, and Madagascar.

The Activity’s goal is to promote the recovery and resilience of marine biodiversity and coastal communities in the Western Indian Ocean with the aim to achieve a sustainable Blue Economy and protect 30% of marine areas by 2030 in the Western Indian Ocean.

In support of reaching this goal, you will lead such illustrative efforts as designing a strategy to strengthen a marine protected areas regional network to maximize ecological productivity, recovery and resilience. You will coordinate with Environmental Incentives’ Home Office and the Activity’s field team of experts to identify challenges to fisheries management and design approaches that will result in more sustainable fisheries management. Moreover, the team will lead in the establishment of extension services for community co-management of marine areas, guaranteeing inclusion and alternative livelihood opportunities across sectors- public, private and academia. Through strengthening intergovernmental coordination, your team will leverage policy and government interventions to combat the threat of illegal distant water fleets and criminal networks in the Western Indian Ocean fishing industry.

About Environmental Incentives

At Environmental Incentives, our purpose is to create the conditions for human and natural communities to thrive. We do this by helping our partners improve the performance of conservation and development programs. Our clients trust us to design and support implementation of programs that (1) use evidence to develop effective strategies within complex systems, (2) center local stakeholder experiences and facilitate collective action, and (3) produce results that support learning about what works. Environmental Incentives is a certified B Corporation with offices located in Washington, DC, South Lake Tahoe, San Diego, Nairobi, and Lima (pending registration). Our remote staff and consultants are based in multiple states within the United States, and across five continents.

OBJECTIVES AND DELIVERABLES 

The following provides some near-term objectives and deliverables related to this position.

• Lead in all technical, financial, administrative and reporting aspects of the Activity and will coordinate closely with USAID in developing, implementing, and revising the Activity’s overall field strategy.
• Act as the principal link between USAID, key government counterparts, Environmental Incentives, and other project stakeholders and provide overall strategic and technical guidance to subcontractors.
• Provide comprehensive expert technical oversight and guidance in all aspects of the Activity, including monitoring and evaluation, and reporting to USAID.
• Lead all aspects for a successful rapid Activity mobilization including first year work planning, recruitment, building relationships with the team, Client and key stakeholders. From rapid mobilization to implementation, you will guarantee compliance with USAID’s policy and regulations, as well commit to producing high quality products in an inclusive and sustainable manner.

OTHER ONGOING RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide Expert Technical Service

• Provides expert technical assistance to meet client vision & EI quality standards.
• Effectively leverages contributions of partners and consultants.

Manage Teams

• Manages project staff to develop and implement work plans, budget, and staffing plans aligned to client vision and EI quality standards and helps them exercise increasing independence.
• Models EI culture, principles and values, and makes decisions that advance EI’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Client Stewardship

• Establish and strengthen trusted relationship with Client.
• Facilitates creation of a shared vision with the client lead and an adaptive management process to achieve that vision.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree and 11+ years of relevant experience; Master’s degree and 9 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Project experience working in one or more technical disciplines, marine/coastal biodiversity conservation, marine protected area establishment/management, sustainable fisheries management and promotion, distant water fleets, marine science, public policy and governance, sustainable livelihoods, or other relevant technical areas.
• Experience managing a USAID-funded multi-million-dollar project, including work processes, budgets, and staff.
• Experience communicating technical content in multiple formats to meet the needs of different audiences.
• Demonstrated successful experience stewarding a client relationship.
• Experience identifying, recruiting, and onboarding people and partner organizations who successfully contribute to technical work and team performance.

• Professional proficiency in English
• Extensive work experience in East and Southern Africa.
• Experience designing and implementing marine focused USAID funded projects.
• Experience managing the work of staff and subcontractors both within and beyond your area of technical expertise.

• Understanding of current challenges of marine biodiversity and coastal communities in the Western Indian Ocean and USAID priorities in East and Southern Africa.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Problem-solving orientation and ability to manage dynamic workflows and priorities.
• Advanced facilitation skills for both in-person and virtual events and meetings.
• Demonstrated ability to advance equity and inclusion in leading the work of teams.
• Knowledge of USAID programming, approaches, and policy.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Legally authorized to work in Kenya with no restrictions.
• Criminal background check required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Compensation will be dependent on and commensurate with years of experience and expertise. Environmental Incentives also offers a competitive benefits package.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application. On a rolling basis throughout the application period, we will review applications and contact qualified candidates for additional information.

ENVIRONMENTAL INCENTIVES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

We are committed to developing an inclusive work environment for all employees, where diversity of thought, style, culture, and skill is valued in support of individual performance and potential, as well as our business goals and mission. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or and other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

Reasonable Accommodation:

Applicants with disabilities may contact Environmental Incentives coordinators via telephone, e-mail, and other means to request and arrange for accommodations. If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, you may request an accommodation at any time. Please contact Human Resources:

Patrice Gulledge

Human Resources Director

Phone: (202) 525-2450

E-mail: careers@enviroincentives.com

About the Organization

Environmental Incentives’ Mission is to enhance the environments that sustain healthy communities. We empower public and private sector leaders to maximize the effectiveness of their conservation and development programs. Our clients trust us to design and support implementation of programs that (1) use evidence to develop effective strategies within complex systems, (2) center local stakeholder experiences and facilitate collective action, and (3) produce results that support learning about what works. Environmental Incentives is a certified B Corporation with offices located in Washington, DC, South Lake Tahoe, San Diego, Nairobi, and Lima (pending registration). Our remote staff and consultants are based in multiple states within the United States, and across five continents.