Chief of Party

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Programs - Pact strives for a world where all people are heard, capable, and vibrant. The Programs Team helps realize this objective by bridging program management, technical support, and business development, enabling Pact to achieve its global strategy. We ensure program excellence through continuous learning, monitoring and evaluation and provide organizational and industry-wide thought leadership by leveraging a complementary set of cross-functional, multi-disciplinary skills, expertise, and experiences. The Programs team: influences progressive change through the development and implementation of global and regional strategies and business plans; supports advancement of innovative solutions; pursues new business opportunities; and drives effective internal and external engagement to maximize Pact’s impact across the globe. Across all aspects of its role, the Programs Department adheres to and promotes a culture of inclusion, accountability, and respect.

Pact seeks an experienced Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID-funded Sudan Youth and Women, Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (Sudan STAND) Activity, an Associate Award under the Civil Society and Media-Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM-STAND) Africa & Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Leader with Associates (LWA) Cooperative Agreement. Sudan STAND aims to increase collaboration, sustainability, and resilience of civil society and independent media to advance the inclusion, participation and leadership of youth and women in Sudan. The activity will apply locally led, problem-driven, adaptive approaches. This is anticipated to be a five-year activity and the position will be based in Khartoum, Sudan. This position is contingent upon award. 

The COP will be responsible for technical leadership and the overall management and operations of the Activity. The COP will supervise high-quality project implementation, with a focus on achieving the project goals and USAID/Sudan development objectives. The COP will take a leadership role in coordination of all activities across all relevant parties, including USAID, the Government of Sudan, civil society organizations, key stakeholders, and implementing partners. The COP will also oversee all project staff and sub-partners for results-oriented planning, leadership, and coordination of project activities. 

• Ensure high-quality, results-oriented technical programming through hands-on guidance and support grounded in the project’s strategic objectives and approved annual workplans
• Serve as the primary liaison with the USAID Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) on management and technical matters,
• Ensure compliance with USAID rules/regulations and Pact processes.
• Ensure that the project meets stated goals, outcomes, benchmarks, and reporting requirements and oversee complexity-aware monitoring, evaluation, and learning plan.
• Take a leadership role in coordination among USAID and key stakeholders, including partners, government stakeholders, civil society, and other USAID projects.
• Manage and coordinate the implementation of activities across project partners, ensuring successful integration of activities.
• Liaise closely with the Pact Sudan finance team, and Pact’s U.S. team to ensure that all project activities are compliant with US Government rules and regulations, as well as consistent Pact’s policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Oversee project planning (i.e., development of work plans and project budget), monitoring and reporting (i.e., review and approve periodic budgets and technical and financial reports) in accordance with the highest standards.
• Oversee project budget and work in close coordination with the Finance/Operations Manager to meet expected results, ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact’s resources.
• Support the implementation of a highly adaptive, context-driven programmatic approach
• Ensure a responsive and innovative approach to developing the capacity of civil society organizations, media actors, youth leaders, and other civic actors
• Provide strategic management and oversight of the project’s sub-award portfolio.
• Manage a team of flexible and adaptive employees and oversee evidence-based adjustments in programming to achieve greater impact
• Oversee project staff in helping partners establish reporting and tracking systems to provide key information in an efficient and timely manner.
• Ensure the program meets programmatic and financial targets and makes accurate projections.
• Represent the project at conferences, working groups, and meetings to support USAID and Pact’s thought leadership in local governance, capacity development, and civil society strengthening.
• Serve as security focal person and ensure the safety and security of Pact’s staff and its properties at all times

• Master’s Degree from an accredited university in social sciences, law, development studies or a relevant field.
• At least ten years of experience in the successful implementation of international development activities.
• At least eight years of experience as a COP or in a comparable managerial position on donor-funded democracy and governance projects.
• Experience managing large and complex USAID contracts/awards in sensitive environments.
• Demonstrated understanding of the role of civil society and media in Sudan
• Experience building capacity for civil society organizations and/or media actors in Sudan and/or in the East Africa or Horn of Africa regions.
• Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to perform and collaborate in complex and politically sensitive project environments.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Record of successfully building and effectively managing a diverse team of employees and managing multiple international consortium partners.
• Experiencing managing projects with large sub-award pools.
• Ability to work in complex environments, and work with and between different stakeholders, including civil society organizations, media actors, government institutions, private sector entities, and US Government agencies.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with government and civil society stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.
• Knowledge of USAID rules, regulations, and policies.
• Fluency in English (oral, writing, and reading)
• Ability to occasionally travel internationally when health and safety concerns regarding COVID-19 allow.

• Fluency in Arabic (oral, writing, and reading)
• Demonstrated experience managing highly adaptive programs, as well as applying systems-driven approaches and/or thinking and working politically (TWP) principles
• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Sudan.
• Sudanese nationals are encouraged to apply.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.