Chief of Party, Youth Work Readiness and Entrepreneurship - Central Asia

Job Description

FLSA Classification: Exempt

American Councils for International Education seeks a qualified Chief of Party (COP) for the five-year USAID-funded Youth Employment Skills Activity which commenced January 2022 and ends December 2027. YES activity aims to equip youth in Grades 8-11 with the necessary skills to enter Uzbekistan’s economy as competent employees or entrepreneurs. The activity addresses both school-based and after-school programs to ensure a successful school-to-work transition, while giving special attention to women, girls, and youth with disabilities.

The designated Chief of Party is the primary liaison with USAID and provides overall leadership, management, and technical direction of the entire activity, ensuring an integrated vision and strategy among different components and actors. The COP ensures the Activity meets stated objectives and reporting requirements in a timely manner.

Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership, management, and technical direction for the project;
• Ensure an integrated vision and strategy among different components and actors;
• Work jointly with USAID and American Councils’ DC-based staff to develop and implement project strategies;
• Oversee administration of the project and fiscal management to ensure all activities and expenditures comply with both American Councils and USAID policies;
• Manage a team of local and international staff and subrecipients; lead the preparation of strategic plans, work plans and budgets, and staffing plans;
• Write quarterly, annual reports and annual implementation plans.
• Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of project activities and reporting, including collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA) practices to continually improve project delivery;
• Liaison with other stakeholders and projects at American Councils Uzbekistan and in the greater education community;
• Manage all general office administrative matters such as negotiating contracts; security; risk mitigation; and oversee hiring practices and performance review of staff in line with project requirements and local requirements within American Councils Uzbekistan;
• Working in accordance with practices of American Councils in country, lead HR and operations for the activity, including hiring, training and overseeing staff, conducting performance reviews, and monitoring proper submission of timesheets;
• Represent American Councils and project in individual consultations, public appearances, program orientations, funder meetings, and meetings with potential and existing partners; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Education, Economics, Public Administration, Business Administration, International Development, or a related field;
• At least eight years of relevant experience including at least 5 years as a COP or senior manager of projects of similar scope and complexity, preferably with USAID as funder.
• Experience working preferably in Central Asia or a similar setting;
• Demonstrated experience and/or understanding of positive youth development (PYD) principles, the youth employment, vocational education, entrepreneurship systems;
• A proven record of excellent management, leadership, decision-making, and interpersonal skills to ensure internal coherence among diverse team members and sub- recipients;
• Professional fluency in English in both written and oral communication required. Russian or Uzbek proficiency preferred.
• Excellent presentation and negotiation skills and experience.
• Confident networking ability; demonstrated track record of creating and maintaining productive working relationships across government, private sector, and academia.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

American Councils is committed to taking affirmative steps to enhance employment opportunities for minorities, women, veterans, and people with disabilities, and strives to ensure that meaningful employment and promotional opportunities are maintained for everyone. American Councils’ commitment to equal employment opportunity is based not only on federal requirements, but also on a longstanding commitment to maintaining a diverse workforce reflective of the communities in which we operate.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

About the Organization

The world’s most successful institutions and determined nations work with American Councils for International Education through cultural exchange, language training, and professional development.

Since 1974, our educational portfolio has grown to include 90 countries important to national security, prosperity, and peace. Our programs are backed by thorough research to ensure their quality and integrity. Our participants represent a spectrum of learners, from high school through the postdoctoral and professional level.

To date, we have built a community of more than 94,000 alumni, including national leaders, ministers, members of parliament, ambassadors, and CEOs.