Chief of Party

This position is contingent on approval of the Early Grade Reading and Remediating Education Activity grant.

Proposal Summary
The purpose of the USAID Dominican Republic Early Grade Reading and Remediating Education Activity is to support the Dominican Republic's efforts to improve the access and quality of inclusive basic education for students. The Activity expects to increase the number of students achieving grade level reading levels, provide remedial "catch-up" education, and address the social emotional needs of learners in grades 1-3 returning to school in the post COVID-19 context. The Activity will also be open to providing remote and hybrid education services as needed and will build upon results of previous USAID-funded education programs to improve reading proficiency of all learners in targeted areas and enable students to progress in their education and reduce repetition rates. The Activity's expected outcomes are 1) percentage of students meeting minimum proficiency of reading by the end of grade 3 increased and 2) repetition/dropout rates of students in grades one through three reduced.

Responsible for the program leadership, administrative oversight, and overall coordination of the project. The COP will serve as the principal institutional liaison with USAID, MINERD and key stakeholders. CoP will manage staff and ensure that the Activity meets stated goals and reporting requirements, as well as ensure the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities generated under the activity. The COP should have demonstrated ability to work with multiple stakeholders and manage diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines and budget. They will ensure the project complies with award terms and conditions, USAID policies and regulations, and that systems are in place to effectively manage donor resources. The COP will take a leadership role in coordination among USAID and key stakeholders.

FH Culture
All we do, and how we do it, seeks to promote God’s beauty, goodness, and truth in a broken world. As such, we are defined by our ability to make people’s lives measurably better; our ability to deliver impact is the measure of our collective success. For we know that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has already prepared in advance for us to do. At Food for the Hungry, we operate under a set of values called Heartbeat Values.

Principal Responsibilities
Program Leadership
•    Provide leadership to the overall program to ensure it delivers as per approved program design and donor and stakeholder agreements.
•    Ensure the program implementation and reporting are in accordance with USAID’s procedures and standards.
•    Establish and maintain consistent communication with international and local program partners and government officials in project implementation.
•    Ensure that cross-cutting themes such as gender and sustainability are fully integrated into programming.
•    Be updated on all legal requirements affecting Food for the Hungry in the country and immediately notify the Country Director of any risk, issue, or change affecting FH/RD operations.

Management and Administration
•    Responsible for the presentation of annual plans as per donor requirements.
•    Responsible for having the appropriate systems in place to ensure evidence-based decision making and to inform adaptive management.
•    Oversee the management of all financial resources and ensure the appropriate mechanisms are in place to make sure resources are effectively used as per FH and USAID’s procurement and financial guidelines.
•    Coordinate periodic reviews of programmatic and financial progress and lead budget harmonization processes.
•    Ensure the quality of donor reports and provide final FH Global Office reports for presentation to the donor.
•    Make sure the program and all staff adhere to FH DR's safety plan. This position must ensure that FH complies with the Minimum Standards of Operational Safety and Security, and the Legal Duty of Care of FH or all program personnel.

Representation and Coordination
•    Serve as the main liaison with the Ministry of Education, donors, and other relevant bodies to the local project. Maintain responsibility for proper communication and consultation.
•    Actively participate in various working groups and coordination meetings at the national level.
•    Organize learning and exchange opportunities between the project and external stakeholders on a regular basis.

Human Resources Management
•    Carry out the hiring, orientation, and training of key personnel to build a strong, well-supported and motivated team.
•    Identify opportunities for staff professional development and provide recommendations to the Human Resources department for implementation.
•    Coordinate with Human Resources in the preparation of employee job descriptions, performance plans, and performance evaluations.
•    Work with line management to ensure team cohesion and collaboration within the organization.

Other duties as assigned.

Job Level Skills and Behaviors
•    Vibrant personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a Christian commitment to serving the poor and in full agreement with FH’s Christian beliefs.
•    Demonstrated computer-operating skills, including proficiency in Google platforms, Microsoft Office products, and virtual technologies such as Skype and/or Zoom.
•    Fully conversant about the policies and strategies of the Ministry of Education in the Dominican Republic; including understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to early literacy.
•    High integrity and a sense of professional ethics.
•    Able to self-manage a diverse and dynamic set of responsibilities, proactively solve problems, and/or suggest viable solutions while advancing goals and objectives.
•    Advanced level MS Excel and knowledge of the financial application Sun Systems.
•    Strong management skills, leadership qualities, interpersonal skills, cross-cultural skills, and written and oral presentation skills.
•    Excellent organizational skills and ability to plan and coordinate work, ensure the efficient flow of projects and processes.
•    Strong people management skills/interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate, teach and advise staff.
•    Comfortable and persuasive when talking about large and small groups.
•    Excellent people skills, with the ability to interact positively with all levels of the organization, and across organizational and cultural boundaries, and strong  networking and representation skills.
•    Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative management style.
•    Ability to travel up to 25% of time per year, domestically and to the US.

Experience
•    At least 10 years of experience in managing large education programs at national level.
•    Must have at least 3 years of experience as a COP, DCOP, or senior field management experience such as Project Director, Regional Director, or Country Director roles that require working closely with a donor, contractor, or international NGO, managing an office or program.
•    Knowledge of M&E methodologies (USAID MERL and CLA processes preferred), quality assurance, and work planning processes.
•    Experience working and negotiating with Government bodies, donors, and partners at all levels.
•    Previous management experience on USAID projects.
•    Experience in leading policy dialogue, strategic planning, and implementation efforts.
•    Prior experience working on USAID-funded projects and strong knowledge of USAID rules and regulations highly desirable.

Education/Certifications
•    Master's degree, preferably in education, or in humanitarian development, educational management, or related area, or bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience.

Language
Fluency in Spanish and English language skills. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Supervisor Responsibilities
Directly supervises staff. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints, resolving problems, etc.

Safeguarding Policy
FH strives to provide an environment free from sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in all places where relief and development programs are implemented. FH holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment. FH expects its employees to maintain high ethical standards, protect organizational integrity and reputation, and ensure that FH work is carried out in honest and fair methods, in alignment with the Heartbeat Values and safeguarding and associated policies. Violations to stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of employment.

Typically, successful candidates are hired at a salary rate up to midpoint of the range, based on relevant experience, internal equity, and budgetary allowances.

BENEFITS OFFERED
Insurance - Health, Disability, Life
Paid holidays, vacation, & sick leave
Pension, available on first of month after date of hire
Professional development

An application and CV / resume through our online system is required.  Click here to access our system.