Chief of Party (CoP) at World Vision Kenya

Job Summary:
The COP will provide lead the design and implementation of the project to ensure effective and streamlined management of program operations that are in alignment with USAID’s goals, objectives, and requirements. The COP will be responsible for providing strategic project leadership and oversight, managing the preparation and implementation of project plans, supervising diverse project personnel and external partners, maintaining program monitoring and progress reporting, implementing capacity building initiatives, and engaging and mobilizing stakeholders for participation in the project. In addition, the COP will need to have a strong understanding of the political dynamics in DRC, and works collaboratively with government and non-government stakeholders, consortium partners, including managing sub-awards. The COP will coordinate closely with finance and project personnel to ensure an efficient management approach.

This will be a full-time position based in DRC for a 5-year project.  Congolese nationals are strongly encouraged to apply. Availability of the position is contingent upon successful award of the activity to World Vision. Selection of final applicant is subject to USAID approval.

Key responsibilities:

• Sets a unifying vision for the project with clear priorities for attaining the vision
• Identifies issues and risks to program implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate program adjustments and mitigation plans
• Serves as the project’s principal liaison with USAID, government counterparts, donors, and community stakeholders, and builds and maintains effective relationships with all key stakeholders
• Establishes relationships with government counterparts, civil society, and other local entities for engagement in the project; ensures effective communication across the entire project, team, and stakeholders
• Work closely with project staff and partners to identify, document, and disseminate best practices.
• Oversees financial and administrative management of the project, ensuring budget discipline and compliance with World Vision policies and procedures and USAID rules and regulations
• Supervises the development and submission of program deliverables and provide accurate and timely reporting to USAID and key stakeholders on all program areas
• Oversees updates to the project theory of change as shifts in approaches and pathways to attaining priorities change over the life of the project
• Demonstrates the project’s commitment to locally led development and local ownership
• Oversees the establishment of effective and accurate project reporting, monitoring and evaluation, financial management, and personnel and procurement systems
• Ensures the achievement of high-quality deliverables and results per the workplan and M&E plan and according to industry best practices and standards
• Provides onsite support and supervision to project teams and partners on a regular basis to ensure quality implementation of project activities
• Leads conversations with partners to ensure clarity about their scope of work and expectations about deliverables, timelines, and budgets
• Conducts performance assessments of direct supervisees, identifying and recommending areas for improvement and opportunities for professional development
• Creates, promotes, and maintains a safe and equitable environment, including a harassment- and violence-free workplace and systems for safeguarding project participants; ensure compliance with donor, World Vision, and project-specific policies
• Represent the project and the organization in public, as assigned, and support the distribution of information about project achievements and lessons learned.
• Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility.

Minimum Requirements:

• A Master’s degree or international equivalent in nutrition, public health, food security, or a related field
• At least 10 years of experience in leadership and supervisory roles in programs with similar complexity and scope in low-income and middle-income countries is required. Previous experience as COP for large scale, donor-funded programs preferred.
• Proficient with applicable rules, regulations, and policies associated with international development and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Experience in multi-sector project management and implementation
• Experience in leading and managing nutrition projects in complex environments involving coordination with multiple partner institutions, strongly preferred
• Demonstrated success in managing USAID contracts/agreements and proficiency in USAID rules and regulations
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, staff development, and capacity building for multisectoral nutrition programs – technical background in governance, systems strengthening, food security or resilience related programming a plus
• Demonstrated ability to develop and foster relationships with government counterparts, civil society organizations, and donors. Experience at the national, province, and/or health zone level preferred
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing complex projects that are strategic in nature and national/international in scope
• Excellent communication (both oral and written), analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and cross-cultural skills
• Demonstrated innovation and success in staff capacity building as well as participatory, flexible, and Gender Equity & Social Inclusion (GESI)-sensitive programming and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience in the DRC and insecure environments strongly preferred.
• Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English and French.
• Travel: Ability to travel about 30%