Chief of Party - USAID Liberia TESTS

Job Description

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 5,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI’s International Education Technical Unit within the International Development Group brings together experts to improve education globally to ensure that all children fulfil their potential.

Project Description

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Transforming the Education System for Teachers and Students in Liberia (TESTS) Activity supports the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) to improve the quality of teachers’ instruction in early childhood education (ECE) and primary education (PE) in Liberia by strengthening the capacity of higher education teacher training institutions (HETTIs) to train teachers to deliver quality instruction, building critical skills for quality teaching and improving the environment for teaching practice. TESTS is implemented by RTI International (RTI) and its partners: Mississippi State University (MSU), Inclusive Development Partners (IDP), and Diversified Educators Empowerment Project (DEEP).

The Activity is working to achieve and sustain three overarching results:

1. Capacity of selected public, private, and faith-based institutions to train primary and ECE teachers strengthened
2. Critical skills built and applied for quality teaching
3. Enabling environment for teaching practice improved

Over the lifetime of the Activity, TESTS will provide 2 years of support to teacher-aspirants, establish professional linkages between U.S. or African educators and Liberian educators, help preservice students receive practical experience before they begin classroom instruction in selected demonstration schools, and continue to support new teachers into their first year of teaching. TESTS will also ensure gender equity by providing scholarship support that prioritizes women as recipients, while supporting the HETTIs to address disability inclusion.

TESTS works with eight HETTIs across USAID’s six targeted counties: Cuttington University (CU) in Bong; Grand Bassa University (GBU) in Grand Bassa; Lofa County University (LCU) in Lofa; Adventist University of West Africa (AUWA) in Margibi; African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU), LICOSESS College of Education, the University of Liberia in Montserrado (UL), and Nimba University (NU) in Nimba.

Position Description

RTI is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for the USAID TESTS activity. The COP will be responsible for overall project performance, management, and execution ensuring all project deliverables are exceptionally exceeded within budget and compliance for small to mid-size projects.

This position will report to the RTI Home Office and will be based in Monrovia, Liberia.

• Provide overall leadership, management, and strategic technical direction of the entire program, with a focus on achieving results as defined in the contract.
• Coordinate with implementing partners, teacher training institutions, and the GOL
• Serve as the principal institutional liaison to USAID/Liberia, public and private sector counterparts, and other donors involved with TESTS
• Provide technical leadership and counsel on evidence-based pre-service teacher training programs that work within a developing country context.
• Establish close working relationships with relevant private sector and GOL decisionmakers to advocate for teacher placement and employment.
• Holds primary responsibility for project performance and budget management.
• Leads planning, oversight and coordination of all project activities and personnel, operational and technical.
• Ensures all project deliverables exceed expectations and are managed within budget.
• Provide leadership and oversight for areas such as Finance, Operations, Reporting, and Human Resources; liaise with Regional Office and business partners per policy and practice.
• Responsible for ensuring all staff receives adequate security and operational support and that Standard Operating Procedures are implemented.
• Manage all aspects of staffing, including creating and maintaining a clear organizational structure with specific roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines.
• Responsible for developing and implementing practices to ensure a high level of staff morale and retention.

• Bachelor’s Degree and 15 years of experience, Master’s degree and 12 years of experience, PhD and 8 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience and expertise working on international education programs, or related field strongly preferred.
• Knowledgeable and experienced with USAID contracting policies and procedures.
• Strong communications and interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to productively interact with a wide range and levels of organizations (government, private sector, NGOs, higher education institutions).
• Experience managing large subcontracts or grants under contracts preferred.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to be collaborative across projects, flexible and creative.
• Culturally sensitive and respectful.
• Written and verbal fluency in English required.
• Work experience in Liberia or similar context preferred.

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