Project Director/COP - USAID Europe and Eurasia MELDS

Background

Established in 1941, NORC at the University of Chicago is one of the largest and most respected social science research organizations in the U.S. NORC conducts groundbreaking research using innovative methods and tools, and advances principles of scientific integrity and collaboration around the world. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with NORC to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge. NORC’s International Programs Department designs and implements evaluations, data collection, and other analytical projects in over 100 countries and has developed close collaborative relationships with researchers, survey firms, and policy think tanks.

NORC is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Project Director/Chief of Party for an upcoming USAID Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Decision Support (MELDS) Activity. The Activity is expected to provide technical and advisory services related to the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) of USAID/Europe and Eurasia projects and activities to help the Bureau meet Agency requirements, make better informed strategic and management decisions, and advance Agency learning. Target countries include Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine.

Job Summary

The Project Director/Chief of Party will have primary strategic, managerial, technical leadership and management responsibilities for the Activity. S/he will provide oversight of all aspects of the Activity and will work to ensure the quality of deliverables and a high degree of responsiveness to the Mission. The Project Director/Chief of Party serves as the main point of contact and project representative, and accordingly focus on the design, planning and implementation of core services as well as the overall management of this contract. The Project Director/Chief of Party is also responsible for ensuring compliance with USG rules and regulations.

The position will be based in Washington, DC and travel will be required. Please note that the position is contingent upon award and funding. It will be full-time over a multi-year period, at competitive rates.

Key Responsibilities

Technical

• Leads the project team, technical and operational aspects of the MELDS Activity including planning and implementation; ensuring clarity over plans and priorities, and encouraging effective teamwork and adaptive management;
• Oversees a team of senior technical, operations, compliance and finance staff and ensures clear roles and responsibilities and lines of communication are maintained among the team members; works with team to strategically deploy staff and consultants;
• Supervises key staff and provides guidance and mentoring to managers and staff to achieve project goals and develop capacity;
• Develops a vision for the project and leads its adaptation based on performance data and regular reviews;
• Facilitate communication between USAID, its technical teams and our projects component teams; and
• Provide leadership in performance and impact evaluations, sector assessments, baseline studies, evaluation design and methodology, research and analysis, performance monitoring and evaluation capacity building, and collaborating, learning, and adapting.

Management and Compliance

• Ensures compliance with USAID requirements, U.S. government regulations, and NORC policies and procedures;
• Ensure the quality and timeliness of all contract deliverables and work products;
• Leads preparation of deliverables, including annual work-plans, budgets and project activity updates, and other project-related communication and reporting materials in accordance with USAID deadlines;
• Provides overall financial oversight of the budget over the life of the activity (e.g., budget, ensuring cost effective management, financial projections and systems to ensure proper use of funds);
• Collaborates with NORC’s contracts management team to ensure continuous compliance with agreement/contract rules and regulations;
• Ensures continuous communication with NORC’s technical units at headquarters; and
• Directly or indirectly supervise all project staff and consultants.

External Relations and Representation

• Liaises with USAID/Europe and Eurasia and other project stakeholders (e.g., local government, civil society organizations, private sector) to coordinate activities and facilitate monitoring and reporting of project objectives and achievements;
• Liaises with USG partners and other donors and implementing agencies as needed to ensure coordination and synergy; and
• Represents as needed the project at regional, national and international fora, including technical conferences, policy briefings, networking events, etc.

Required Qualifications

The candidate must possess the following qualifications:

• Minimum of master’s degree in international development, social sciences, business, public policy, public health, statistics, economics or related field.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience implementing and managing complex projects and/or MEL activities, which demonstrates progressively more responsibility in the following areas:
  • Project or program management;
  • Planning and logistics for the conduct of assessments, research and/or evaluations;
  • Supervision and staff development; and
  • Design and management of M&E systems for development projects.
  • Capacity building of USAID mission staff and local partner organizations.
• Thorough technical knowledge of monitoring systems, evaluation methods, and performance management, including, but not limited to, data collection and analysis, evaluation planning, research design, and dissemination of evaluation results.
• Strong familiarity with USAID’s Evaluation Policy and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) practices.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to plan, organize, and manage resources for successful completion of projects.
• Demonstrated and successful leadership in an intercultural team environment in a development context.
• Working experience in Europe or Eurasia.
• Ability to travel within Europe and Eurasia as necessary.
• Oral and written communication and presentations skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications

The candidate would be considered more competitive if s/he possess the following qualifications:

• Experience working on USAID projects in a management position such as Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, or Project Director.
• Experience working with implementing partners and government agencies at different levels.
• Experience in the following sectors: democracy, human rights and governance, economic development, energy, health, youth, education, and vulnerable populations.
• Language proficiency in: Albanian, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Bosnian, Croatian, Georgian, Greek, Macedonian, Montenegrin, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Turkish, or Ukrainian.

How to apply

Interested candidates should email a CV and cover letter to MELDS@norc.org. Please use the following subject line in your email: “MELDS Application – Project Director/COP.” Please also contact us at this email with any questions.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

As a condition of employment, all NORC employees and contractors – including those working remotely - must be fully vaccinated (as defined by current CDC guidance) against COVID-19.

Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Statement

NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally- protected characteristics.