Chief of Party, Participatory Responsive Governance – Principal Activity

Counterpart International helps people build better lives and more durable futures, community by community. We equip individuals, organizations and communities-our counterparts- to become solution creators in their own families, communities, regions and countries. We work with them in some of the world’s most challenging places to tackle social, economic, environmental, health and governance issues that threaten their lives and undermine their futures.
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SUMMARY:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently selected Counterpart International (Counterpart) to implement the Participatory Responsive Governance – Principal Activity program in Niger. The purpose of the PRG-PA program is to improve collective (government and citizen) responsiveness to priority public needs. PRG-PA will engage diverse stakeholders, community leaders, civil society organizations, religious leaders, government representatives, media, and the private secotr to promote dialogue on priority issues and catalyze the adoption of reforms. To this send, the program will support multi-stakeholder dialogue, consensus building, advocacy, and media initiatives.

Counterpart International is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) to lead the PRG-PA program. The ideal candidate will have expertise in citizen engagement, power mapping, political economy analysis, government accountability, public service delivery, and/or economic empowerment. The COP will represent Counterpart to USAID, local and national partners, and other relevant donor organizations in Niger. S/he will provide vision and technical leadership, as well as oversee staff management and development and ensure the highest quality of project monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and communications. This position will report to Counterpart’s Regional Director of Africa.

***This is an unaccompanied post. Counterpart International will not be providing expatriate or TCN allowances for any family members accompanying selected candidates.**

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide overall project leadership, management, quality control, and technical direction, while ensuring compliance with donor requirements and regulations and Counterpart policies and procedures.
• Build an integrated vision among diverse project components and across technical sector.
• Establish and maintain critical working relationships with a wide range stakeholders to secure buy-in and active participation in program activities.
• Liaise with the USAID mission (and other donors as applicable), civil society organizations, local government officials, and other local partners to coordinate activities and facilitate monitoring and reporting of project objectives and achievements of results.
• Identify obstacles and risks related to implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate adjustments to the home office and donor.
• Manage and supervise the work of project personnel, subcontractors, and grantees, with a focus on achieving work plan targets and core results in a timely manner.
• Provide mentoring and professional development support to project staff, with emphasis on building capacity of national staff.
• Oversee field office finances and administration of sub-contracts and sub-awards.
• Oversee field office HR practices, ensuring hiring, employee evaluations and promotions are in compliance with Counterpart policies and procedures.
• Ensure that all project assistance is technically sound and appropriate.
• Participate in specialized content (technical) events such as workshops and round tables, support knowledge management, and share learning across key networks.
• Coordinate activities between the field office and Counterpart headquarters.
• Leverage networks, program investments, and project successes to seek opportunities for program expansion and promoting Counterpart’s practice areas.
• Job descriptions are not exhaustive and the job holder may be required to undertake duties which are broadly in line with the above responsibilities.
• Assist with the coordination of activities between the field office and Counterpart headquarters.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:

• A Master’s degree in a related field, such as international development, political science, law, or public policy.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of civil society or governance field experience, preferably in Niger or sub-Saharan Africa.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible management experience, with proven expertise in transformation and change management.
• Demonstrated expertise in two or more of the following areas: public administration, civil society strengthening, public service delivery, multi-stakeholder dialogue, local capacity development, and/or political economy analysis.
• Experience in countries in democratic transition – especially in francophone Africa – and knowledge of democratization trends in West Africa highly preferred; good knowledge of Niger’s socio-political and economic contexts highly preferred.
• Proven ability to work at the highest levels with government and non-government partners in Africa.
• Ability to work in remote areas and oversee project and task management and provide technical expertise.
• •revious experience in managing complex USG or bilateral donor-funded projects with large sub-grants portfolio.
• Knowledge of USAID development approaches, as well as understanding of USAID rules and regulations and mandatory reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to give effective presentations and write high quality technical reports.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, training, and team-building.
• • Professional level speaking, reading, and writing in English and French is required.

Preferred:

• Expertise in conflict sensitive settings, a plus.
• Strong multicultural, interpersonal, and supervision skills.
• Demonstrated record of championing social inclusion across programming, such as gender integration and inclusion of women, youth, ethnic and religious minorities, and other marginalized communities.
• Fluency in local languages preferred.

**THIS IS AN UNACCOMPANIED POST. Counterpart International will not be providing expatriate or TCN allowances for any family members accompanying selected candidates.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please apply online at https://rew12.ultipro.com/COU1004/JobBoard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*508BC15.... No calls or emails please.**

Counterpart International is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of Counterpart International to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.