Chief of Party (COP) - USAID Economic Foundation for Resilient Armenia (EFRA)

WSP is currently initiating a search for Chief of Party (COP) for the upcoming USAID Economic Foundation for Resilient Armenia (EFRA). USAID EFRA will enhance Armenia’s economic security and ability to take advantage of periods of economic growth and navigate economic downturns. It will strengthen key economic actors within both the public and private sector to exercise economic stewardship and ultimately build a resilient Armenian economy. The COP will be based in Yerevan, Armenia with frequent in-country trips.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead coordination with USAID/Armenia, USAID implementing partners, and other key stakeholders on a regular basis
• Provide strategic vision and overall leadership, and ensure the provision of timely, relevant, high-quality work from both long-term staff and incoming short-term consultants.
• Serve as principal liaison with Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer Representatives (COR and ACOR), GoA counterparts, USAID implementing partners, and other donors.
• Ensure component activities are integrated and fully leveraged so the project meets/exceeds expected results. Build synergies among the different activities, and pursue areas of cooperation with key counterparts, other donors, and partner institutions.
• Oversee the drafting and completion of required project reports and deliverables, such as quarterly & annual reports, work plans, and technical reports, ensuring their quality and timely submission.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience in effectively delivering all or some of the following technical:

1. Institutional and Human Capacity Improvements of Government Agencies: Organizational change management; management and organizational performance; technical capacity of government agencies to drive and implement data-driven strategic planning, communication and execution of policy and programs; organizational culture; human capacity of government employees.
2. Export Competitiveness and Economic Resilience in Tourism, Agriculture and High-tech Sectors: intra- and inter-sectoral collaboration; market linkages and value chain integration; capacity development of industry and sectoral associations; anchor firms; private sector engagement; sector assessment and value chain analysis; international quality, health, and safety standards and certification; marketing/product promotion; facilitating PPP and dialogue; market system approach; capacity building of sectoral organizations.
3. Catalytic Financial Capital Investment in Targeted Sectors: mobilize domestic and international financial capital in high impact enterprises; investment instruments (e.g., blended finance, investment bonds, and other related capital mobilization instruments); building pipeline of investment-ready financing opportunities; climate and green investment; capacity building of local transaction advisors and intermediaries; improve SMEs capacity in developing investment/financing applications.

• Demonstrated experience in working effectively with national governments, private sector entities, and industry/sectoral associations/community stakeholders in developing contexts, and in managing complex activities involving coordination with multiple partner institutions.
• Experience designing, implementing, and monitoring market-system approach development projects.
• Proven exceptional leadership in the design, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of donor-supported programs of comparable size and complexity, with skills in high level strategic visioning and leadership.
• Strong communication skills, including interpersonal and in written and oral English.
• An advanced degree in economics, business administration, finance or investment, international development, or another relevant field.
• A minimum of 10 years' professional experience in development at a senior program management level, including direct supervision of professional and support staff.
• At least 5 years' developing country work experience.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
  Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in Armenia is strongly preferred. Armenian professionals with international experience leading similar projects are encouraged to apply and will be given preference.
• Prior service as a USAID Chief of Party and with projects of comparable scale and complexity strongly preferred.

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 12,000 employees in over 200 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. www.wsp.com

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.