Chief of Party - USAID Global Health Security Activity (GHSA) - Guatemala

Job Description

IMA World Health, a member of Corus International, is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) to lead an anticipated 5 year $25M - $49.99M USAID-funded Guatemala Global Health Security Activity (GHSA). This activity seeks to provide tailored and targeted technical support in areas of highest need and priority to key actors and entities in Guatemala to strengthen the health system and human resource capabilities that build resilience and self-reliance to prevent, mitigate and respond to the health and economic impacts of emerging infectious disease pandemics.

Founded in 1960, IMA World Health (IMA) operates in some of the world’s most fragile settings, centering its work on global health security, health systems strengthening, social and behavior change, and integrated primary health care support and delivery. IMA leads the global health portfolio at Corus International an international development and humanitarian assistance organization that includes global non-governmental organization (NGO) Lutheran World Relief (LWR), technology for development company CGA Technologies, and impact investing group Ground Up Investing.

Summary of the Position

The COP will have overall responsibility for the direction, management and coordination of all project activities, staff, and leadership to achieve sustainable results in accordance with the contract and donor guidelines. S/he will serve as the primary liaison with USAID, the Government of Guatemala, IMA headquarters and other relevant project stakeholders. The COP will be a member of the Latina America & Caribbean (LAC) business unit. S/he will ensure the project’s goals, objectives, and strategy are achieved and that contractual requirements are met on time and within budget. S/he is responsible for directing the project team with an integrated vision, applying effective leadership and strategic planning skills, management experience, outstanding interpersonal skills, and strong written and oral communication skills.

The COP also ensures that all management systems, from technical to M&E to finance actively support timely and accurate project reporting and cost effectiveness for successful implementation of the project. Additionally, S/he is responsible for ensuring compliance with Corus’s policies and procedures and USAID rules and regulations, including responsibility for ensuring sub-awardee compliance and monitoring the quality of program implementation. The position is anticipated to be based in Ciudad Guatemala (Guatemala City), Guatemala. S/he will report directly to the Managing Director for LAC and International Programs and Operations.

Actual hiring is contingent upon successful activity award and USAID approval. 

Responsibilities:

LEADERSHIP

• Provide Visionary Leadership: Offer overall program, strategic, and technical leadership, guiding partners and project personnel to ensure that all activities align with and maximize the achievement of project objectives.

• Supervise with Excellence: Lead the Program Management Unit with a focus on strong leadership, providing supervision and guidance for all project activities, including those managed by sub-awardees, contractors, and project personnel.

• Mentor and Develop Staff: Monitor staff performance, offering capacity-strengthening support as needed, and foster an organizational culture that promotes IMA’s values.

• Lead Technical Excellence: Along with the Deputy Chief of Party, provide comprehensive strategic and technical leadership for program activities, ensuring that all efforts maximize project objectives.

MANAGEMENT

• Lead Strategic Planning: Take charge of project planning responsibilities, including the production of annual workplans, budgets, and performance monitoring plans. Ensure that budgets are aligned with expected results and resources are used cost-effectively.

• Enhance Project Effectiveness: Identify and evaluate bottlenecks in project performance and effectiveness. Collaborate with the Managing Director and the Technical Program Manager at headquarters to implement corrective actions, ensuring that project goals are met efficiently.

• Manage Human Resources Effectively: Recruit and directly supervise local project staff, ensuring the development of a diverse, skilled, and productive workforce. Promote an effective leadership team and nurture an organizational culture that reflects IMA’s core values.

• Oversee Financial Management: Manage project funds and subawards with close oversight of expenditures. Collaborate with field and project staff to prepare annual budgets, ensure regular financial reporting, and keep USAID informed of any significant variances.

• Ensure Financial Integrity: Ensure project expenses are reasonable, allocable, and compliant with USAID rules and regulations. Support the annual audit process to maintain financial accountability.

• Oversee Asset Management: Supervise the acquisition, disposition, and management of project property and equipment.

• Ensure Compliance: Maintain strict compliance with USAID award terms and IMA World Health headquarters’ requirements, policies, and regulations, ensuring that all activities adhere to these standards.

TECHNICAL

• Implement Key Deliverables: Ensure the development and implementation of critical project deliverables, including the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan, to measure and report on project outcomes.

• Champion Project Success: Together with the Deputy Chief of Party and other project staff, including those from monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), ensure the visibility and dissemination of project results, achievements, and lessons learned through presentations at conferences, workshops, and publications in professional journals.

REPRESENTATION:

• Represent the Program Externally: Serve as the primary representative and point of contact with USAID, project partners, government agencies, and key stakeholders. Advocate for the program’s objectives and maintain strong relationships to support project success.

• Coordinate Across Partners: Liaise with USAID partners, other donors, implementing partners, and stakeholders to ensure coordination and harmonization of relevant activities, particularly in Guatemala.

COMMUNICATION

• Promote Project Visibility: Ensure the visibility of project results, achievements, and lessons learned.

• Oversee Quality Reporting: Ensure that all donor reporting requirements, including periodic technical and financial reports, are met with high quality and delivered in a timely manner.

• Foster a Culture of Learning: Identify lessons learned and best practices, ensuring they are shared and disseminated externally to enhance the project’s impact and reputation.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree (or international equivalent) MSc, MPH, MBA, MHA, MPA or equivalent is strongly preferred. Training in infectious disease or science-related majors, such as biology, chemistry, or biochemistry are also acceptable.
• Firm understanding of the health context of Guatemala is required, with experience working in Guatemala strongly preferred. 
• Deep knowledge of infectious diseases (particularly, the prevention, detection, and response to infectious diseases, along with health systems strengthening) is strongly preferred.
• At least 10 years related work experience in technical and/or management leadership in global health programs preferably in One Health.
• At least 8 years of prior experience as a COP, Deputy COP or equivalent (preferably on a USAID-funded project) is required. 
• At least 7 years’ experience and familiarity with working in complex governmental approval and collaboration processes on global health programs preferably in global health security in Guatemala or similar countries in the region. Connections to and familiarity with organizations working on One Health in Guatemala.
• Knowledge of the legal and institutional context and frameworks for One Health in Guatemala or similar countries in the region.
• Experience in leading/coordinating multi-sectoral global health programs, including monitoring and evaluation with a strong focus on adaptive management and strategic communications.
• Proven success in management of complex operations, under specific donor awards and procedures, in a challenging, low-income country environment.
• Ability to manage agreements and all required programmatic and financial reporting requirements, including sub-grants management.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and planning skills, with emphasis on the ability to operationalize and oversee the execution of workplans.
• Strong leadership skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate and work across teams and roles. Ability to persuade and motivate people and teams.
• Experience developing capacity of government entities, staff, and other organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in managing government and donor relations.
• Ability to work effectively and sensitively in a cross-cultural context.
• Excellent diplomatic skills and proven ability to work effectively with government officials, partners, donors, and stakeholders at high levels.
• Fluency in English and Spanish with strong oral and written communication required.

About the Organization

Corus International is a family of organizations which believes that those who were born into impossible circumstances deserve the opportunity for a better life. Corus was formed through the strategic merger of IMA World Health (operating as a public health organization since 1960), and Lutheran World Relief (operating as a livelihoods organization since 1945), and today includes the smaller entities of Charlie Goldsmith Associates, Ground Up Investing, and Farmers Market Coffee. Corus International works in over 20 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, with a primary focus on health, livelihoods, and emergency response.