Chief of Party (USAID/Laos)

Job Description

Summary:

ME&A is a woman-owned international development firm based in Bethesda, Maryland providing innovative solutions for economic development and social progress in more than 80 countries. We provide services across six practice areas: monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL); performance improvement through capacity development; regional and local economic development; water, environment, and climate change; democracy and governance; and program support services.

ME&A is seeking an experienced Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID Laos MEL Platform. The purpose of the contract is to provide technical assistance and advisory services to USAID/Laos to support MEL tasks for activities. This includes monitoring support services; evaluations, studies, assessments; GIS mapping and analysis; and collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) activities. These services will create, facilitate, and strengthen informed program management decisions, and shape the long-term strategic direction of the Mission’s programs. The contractor will perform tasks related to the collection and analysis of data as well as learning from evidence.

This is a full-time position contingent upon the successful award of the activity and will be based in Laos.

Responsibilities:

The COP will be responsible for management and technical leadership and will provide overall implementation oversight of all components of the activity. S/he will serve as ME&A’s principal liaison to USAID/Laos. The COP will serve as the individual bearing primary responsibility for technical aspects of contract performance, including design and advice on methods, providing central oversight, and maintaining acceptable standards of quality for tasks assigned. S/he will be responsible for the management duties of the activity including, but not limited to, budget oversight, financial reporting, and overall compliance with USAID and federal government contracting requirements. S/he will also bring expertise in coordinating with government entities, partner organizations, and program stakeholders and the ability to work effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Qualifications:

Education + Experience Requirements

• At least ten (10) years of experience in a MEL leadership role managing MEL awards, activities, or tasks for international development assistance programs.
• A Master’s degree or higher in a social science, management, organizational development, international development, or a related field. A Bachelor’s degree plus additional work experience will be considered in lieu of Master’s.

Other Required Experience

• Demonstrated capacity to manage large complex projects, including oversight of technical, management, and financial aspects and compliance of subcontracts and consultants to provide demand-driven services.
• Knowledge of USAID regulations and systems, MEL guidance, evaluation policy, and gender and social equity.
• Demonstrated capacity to collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data and supervise data collection teams.
• Demonstrated capacity to assemble and write an analytical product based on qualitative and quantitative data. Expertise in leading the writing of evaluation reports.
• Experience applying evidence to help clients analyze problems, devise strategies, and design or adapt programming based on data.
• Knowledge of and access to various stakeholder networks in Laos, including government, civil society, private sector, research institutions, indigenous populations, marginalized communities, or a demonstrated ability to forge such relationships.
• Expertise and experience in designing capacity gap assessments and corresponding capacity development plans.
• Experience managing subcontractors and experience managing and implementing USAID-funded programs.
• Experience designing and/or facilitating staff MEL training and/or supporting MEL capacity-building initiatives.
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including skills in strategic thinking and planning, presentation, and managing high-performing teams.
• Proven ability to manage a team to ensure timely and quality submission of project deliverables.
• Strong analytic, interpersonal, and team management skills.

Other Desired Experience

• Experience in USAID-funded activities in Laos, especially on issues related to program evaluation, gender constraints to development, agriculture, economic growth, environment, democracy and governance, health, nutrition, and education.
• Demonstrated experience with gender and social inclusion or experience in protection programming, including gender-based violence, is preferred.
• Experience engaging and strengthening the capacity of local research entities is preferred.
• Experience implementing Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) practices is strongly preferred.

All applications and CVs must be submitted in English.

ME&A, Inc. is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. ME&A will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For our EEO Policy Statement and a copy of our EEO Policy Statement and information on your EEO rights under the law.

ME&A is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all applicants.

About the Organization

ME&A, Inc., based in the Washington, D.C., area, provides innovative solutions for economic development and social progress across six practice areas in more than 120 countries. We hold ISO 9001 certification in Quality Management and U.S. Small Business Administration certification as a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB).

Our clients include the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); the U.S. Department of State; the Millennium Challenge Corporation; the World Bank; government agencies at the federal, state, and local level in the United States; and leading corporations, nonprofits, and small businesses.