Chief of Party, USAID/Benin’s Northern Economic Livelihoods for Youth (NELY) Activity

DT Global is shaping a future where sustainable development and innovation empower individuals, communities, and nations. We work in partnership with local stakeholders to foster inclusive prosperity, social equity, and environmental stewardship. Our global team of 2,500 staff and experts work in over 90 countries to solve complex problems in the peacebuilding, governance, economic development, environment, and human development sectors. With a track record of technical excellence and more than 60 years of international development experience and relationships, we deliver innovative solutions that transform lives.

Position Summary:

DT Global seeks a highly motivated and experienced individual interested in serving as Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID/Benin’s Northern Economic Livelihoods for Youth (NELY) activity. The purpose of this program is to improve economic livelihoods for rural and urban youth and women in violent extremist (VE) moderate and high-risk areas in the north of Benin. The COP will develop the strategic vision, provide technical leadership, and lead overall management of the program. The COP provides oversight of activities, including supervision of the program field staff, ensuring appropriate activity design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation, and compliance with USAID and DT Global rules and regulations. The COP will be responsible for representation of the program and coordination with USAID, other donors within the sector, and other programs as necessary. This position will be based in Cotonou, Benin, and the successful applicant must be willing to travel to other provinces as required.

Please note this position is contingent upon donor funding and the award of the contract to DT Global.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership, project planning and implementation of the program, ensuring timely and high-quality expertise and deliverables for USAID;
• Manage and motivate a diverse team of technical and operations experts in designing, planning, and executing the program’s work plan to achieve long-term, sustainable results;
• Serve as the primary point of contact to USAID and contribute to a successful, positive relationship with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR);
• Support a team of program experts and staff to establish effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems and processes, and ensure that the program serves as a model for adaptive management, continuous learning, and innovation.
• Coordinate with USAID and relevant stakeholders, including partners, government and local counterparts, donors, and other USAID/USG programming in Benin;
• Provide management, strategic direction, and oversight to the activity’s technical, administrative, and financial performance; represent the activity at relevant conferences, working groups, and meetings with USG and non-USG stakeholders.
• Ensure quality assurance and quality control methods in a consistent and transparent manner for all contracted tasks and functions and ensure their compliance with USG and DT Global rules and regulations.
• Provide accountability for program safety and security of staff, assets, and movements, in partnership with the project Risk department; and
• Maintain oversight of grant activities, including ensuring that grant making procedures are followed. Grant making includes appropriate grant design, implementation, management, monitoring, evaluation, and close out.

Education & Minimum Qualifications:

• 10 years of progressive experience supervising complex and challenging field operations in conflict environments, fragile or transitional countries.
• Minimum three years of senior project leadership experience on USAID activities; previous experience as COP of USAID-funded programs preferred.
• A relevant master’s degree from an accredited university, or a relevant bachelor’s degree and five additional years of management experience (a minimum of 15 years progressive experience).
• Demonstrated technical expertise in one or more of the following areas: conflict prevention/mitigation/resolution/transformation, peacebuilding, political transitions, countering/preventing violent extremism (C/PVE), civil society strengthening, economic livelihoods, local governance and service delivery, or community development and engagement.
• Previous experience implementing C/PVE, economic growth or livelihoods programs in francophone West Africa required, with experience in Benin highly desired.
• Relevant program management experience, including activity design, development, and implementation, with an international development contractor or NGO.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and managing programs in politically sensitive or highly fluid policy contexts, responding successfully to meet shifting client needs; and
• Professional proficiency in English and French, both verbally and in writing, required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in the planning, development, and implementation of Grants Under Contract, including the utilization of in-kind, Fixed Amount Award, and Simplified grants mechanisms.
• Proven experience integrating Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and Positive Youth Development (PYD) into development projects.
• Experience managing functions such as security, finance, procurement, and logistics in post-conflict or transition settings.
• Experience working on high-pressure and high-visibility activities. This includes rapid turnaround of materials, talking points, and data, and being prepared to effectively explain and advocate for the project on short notice.
• Experience leading research and context analysis, including analyzing findings and applying the findings to small grant activities and program strategy.
• Experience managing diverse program teams, including remotely. This should include training, mentoring, and capacity building of senior staff.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact with local counterparts, other donor-funded projects, and parties interested in or affected by program interventions.
• Demonstrated ability for developing and sustaining relationships with USAID counterparts and clearly elucidating program strategy and programmatic information. This should include leveraging experience and relationships to articulate responses to regular USAID requests.
• Demonstrate excellent problem-solving, multi-tasking, and decision-making capabilities, often in difficult circumstances with imperfect information.
• Experience overseeing monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems and processes, and using adaptive management techniques on small grants programs.
• Experience in operational, human resources, construction, and financial management for USAID-funded projects.
• Ability/willingness to travel throughout Benin to support teams on a regular basis as permitted by the security situation.

Core Competencies:

TEAMWORK: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals. Participates in building a culture characterized by inclusion, trust and commitment.  

COMMUNICATION: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts professionally. Demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.  

ADAPTABILITY: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.  

CUSTOMER/CLIENT FOCUSED: Anticipates, monitors and meets the needs of customers and responds to them in an appropriate and responsive manner.  

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: Conveys respect for diverse individuals and perspectives; models inclusive behavior and treats everyone fairly.  

PROFESSIONALISM: Displays appropriate and ethical behavior, integrity and personal presentation in the workplace always; demonstrates respectful communication for others, both verbal and non-verbal.  

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

DT Global (dt-global.com) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or national origin. DT Global prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.