Chief of Party (COP)

Background

World Education, a division of JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI/WE) is dedicated to improving people’s lives around the world through greater heath, education and socioeconomic equity for individuals and communities, and to providing an environment where people of passion can pursue this cause. JSI/WE is seeking a Chief of Party for the anticipated USAID Malawi Secondary Success Activity, a program that will build on existing structures to increase the availability, access, and quality of education, including remedial skills, life skills, health and leadership, mentorship, and financial inclusion. Expatriates and Third Country Nationals will be considered.

To apply visit  https://www.jsi.com/ and follow the instructions in the application portal, or email cover letters and CVs to recruitmentmalawi@worlded.org. 

Job Summary

The Chief of Party (COP) will provide leadership, management, and technical assistance for secondary education and youth development program design, delivery, and management. The COP is responsible for the overall planning, implementation, monitoring, and management of the performance of the award and for the vision, strategic direction, and management of the project to achieve the objectives and expected outcomes of the project. The COP will supervise personnel and oversee quality technical control in the regions of implementation. The position is also responsible for overall leadership and supervision of JSI/WE’s in-country staff and consortium partners, stewarding JSI/WE resources, and conducting program-wide performance management. This will be a full-time position based in Lilongwe. The COP will be supervised by the Vice President of the Africa portfolio of JSI/WE.

Application Deadline: April 19, 2024

Responsibilities

• Provide project leadership and technical direction, aligned with project objectives, and technical standards to achieve the greatest coverage and impact;

• Lead and facilitate effective partnerships with local youth education institutions, the public and private sector, partners, civil society, and other youth empowerment stakeholders;

• Serve as principal contact and principal representative of JSI/WE to USAID, and the Government of Malawi; keep up to date on developments in USAID and Government development strategies;

• Supervise staff to ensure timely achievement of program results, product delivery, and regular reporting;

• Manage partners and ensure coordinated inputs and technical/managerial quality of all partners and employees;

• Manage, supervise, and coordinate all project planning and implementation, including timely deployment of the project team;

• Monitor progress of project activities, report to USAID and partners on progress and program outcomes, and ensure project deliverables are met on time;

• Outline internal lines of communication for effective management;

• Coordinate with other donor-funded implementation partners, as appropriate;

• Organize and manage external communications and provide information dissemination;

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education, social sciences or equivalent required.

• At least 8-10 years of consecutive proven work experience in international secondary education or youth development programs or similar donor support initiatives in related areas, including management positions, preferably in Malawi; 

• Strategic planning experience and financial management oversight is critical;

• Familiarity with USAID’s Positive Youth Development Framework, including an understanding of financial inclusion, health and well-being of youth in the target areas;

• Solid knowledge and experience in education service delivery, inclusive education, gender equity and social inclusion, government capacity strengthening, and/or monitoring, evaluation, and learning of international education initiatives;

• Prior experience in managing USAID-funded programs and strong knowledge of USAID's financial management systems, programs and reporting requirements, preferred;

• Prior experience managing USAID-funded projects that include PEPFAR/DREAMS funding is strongly preferred.

• Program/project management experience working with rural, underserved populations, preferably in Malawi;

• Ability to manage a consortium with international and national subpartners;

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of capacity building and professional development in a developing country, preferably in Malawi;

• Effective oral and written communication skills to make formal and informal presentations and compose professional and analytical reports and program documents in English.

• Malawian nationals strongly encouraged to apply.