Job Description

Save the Children is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated five-year USAID-funded RISE II Health Services Delivery Activity program in the Centre-Nord region of Burkino Faso and the Maradi and Zinder regions of Niger. This transformational program focuses on achieving improved health, family planning and nutrition outcomes for women of reproductive age and children under five years old. The foundation of success depends on working with a number of partners, multiple complementary USAID investments, and most importantly, the governments of Burkina Faso and Niger. The COP is a senior leadership position and will provide overall strategic direction in the design, management, implementation and overall quality assurance of the project. S/he will also provide technical assistance on Health Services Delivery. The COP will be Save the Children’s primary point of contact with USAID and all relevant stakeholders. S/he will collaborate with the Ministries of Health and other critical partners to provide high-level support for effective capacity building at the local level and sustainability of the project interventions. The COP will oversee a team of experts and support staff, prepare reports and annual operating plans, align project initiatives with in-country priorities and ensure the program is compliant with USAID and Save the Children’s regulations. The project must align closely with the current objectives of the Governments of Burkino Faso and Niger so that activities are complementary and create sustainability. This position will be based in either Niamey, Niger or Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso with frequent (up to 50%) travel between the two countries.

This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Develop strategic plans, annual and quarterly work plans, and overall management of the program in line with USAID guidelines to achieve project objectives in both Burkino Faso and Niger.
• Ensure high quality technical leadership and oversight is in place for the program.
• Lead team in collaboration with the Ministries of Health in each country and key USAID Implementing Partners (IP), notably the Breakthrough Action (BA) social and behavior change mechanism and the Food for Peace (FFP) Development Food Security Assistance (DFSA) partners and other partners working in USAID intervention zone.
• Ensure close collaboration with the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), Global Health Security Agenda, as well as other donors and key stakeholders including the Global Fund in each country.
• Support the development of strong M&E mechanisms, program monitoring tools and efficient systems to ensure high quality implementation; allow for timely and accurate decision-making and course corrections when evidence acquired through the activity’s MEL mechanisms suggest the need for change.
• Support a rigorous approach to learning and adaptation driven by data that, in consultation with USAID, lead to refinements and adjustments to the activity’s technical approaches and annual work plans.
• Ensure compliance with all USG regulations, procedures and Save the Children guidelines.
• Represent Save the Children with partners and key stakeholders, maintain positive relationships with USAID, local ministries, and the country office team;
• Establish effective communication and coordination with personnel from the government in order to implement interventions and incorporate country-wide priorities;
• Actively participate as a member of the Country Extended Senior Management Team (ESMT), contributing to country strategic plans.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where the project team strives to achieve excellence.
• Incorporate SC’s vision and values and full adherence to Code of Conduct principles;
• Closely monitor security dynamics in the project areas and report to the Country Director on significant changes in the security context.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in relevant areas of expertise or international development is preferred; Bachelor’s Degree is required.
• Minimum 10 years’ of professional experience designing, managing and implementing large and complex programs in technical areas such as maternal, newborn and child health, reproductive health and family planning, nutrition, hygiene, gender, and youth.
• At least five years of senior program experience working and living in a developing country; ideally in Burkino Faso or Niger.
• In-depth knowledge of USAID approaches and regulations.
• Prior experience as Chief of Party or Deputy COP.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations.
• Creative problem solving skills with the ability to work effectively in resource-constrained environments.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and French.

About the Organization

Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. In the United States and around the world, we are dedicated to ensuring every child has the best chance for success. Our pioneering programs give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. Our advocacy efforts provide a voice for children who cannot speak for themselves. As the leading expert on children, we inspire and achieve lasting impact for millions of the world's most vulnerable girls and boys. By transforming children's lives now, we change the course of their future and ours.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom Save the Children is in contact. As a humanitarian agency, Save the Children is obliged to create and maintain an environment that aims to prevent the sexual exploitation and abuse of children and promote the implementation of its child safeguarding policy. All representatives of Save the Children – employees, volunteers, interns, consultants, Board members and others who work with children on Save the Children’s behalf – are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this commitment and obligation.

Save the Children provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws.