Chief of Party (COP) Democracy International

Job Description

Democracy International (DI) is seeking to hire a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated five-year Leading Organizational Capacity and Localization Development (LOCAL) Activity in Zambia funded by USAID. The purpose of the LOCAL activity is to support the organizational capacity of current USAID/Zambia local implementing partners to manage, implement, and monitor programs that effectively and efficiently deliver sustainable quality development outcomes and impactfully influence local development agendas. This will be a full-time position based in Lusaka, Zambia and will be contingent on award and funding. This position is only open to citizens of Zambia. For more information, please read the Request for Proposals [link]. The Chief of Party will be the primary point of contact with USAID/Zambia for day-to-day contract implementation and management. The COP will be responsible for assuring that all assistance is technically sound and appropriate. The COP will be responsible for facilitating communication and close coordination with all Activity stakeholders. The COP will be empowered to ensure quick adaptive management and will be empowered to lead DI’s Activity in country on matters related to the program. They will lead programmatic, operational, and administrative activities of the activity and will report to DI’s Director of Program Management. The COP will be responsible for developing a strong vision and implementation of the program with an evidence-based approach, integrating innovative strategies, and delivering on all objectives of the project. They will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of all staff. They will also provide mentorship and training, as needed, for all staff. The successful candidate must have significant international program management experience in Zambia or other countries with similar settings. They will serve as the primary point of contact between USAID and the DI program

Essential Job Duties:

The position’s responsibilities will include: Programmatic

• Provide technical and strategic leadership on all program activities, including matters of budget, compliance, and reporting;
• Develop regular reports and ongoing activity monitoring consistent with the requirements of DI’s cooperative agreement with USAID and with internal reporting requirements;
• Manage the preparation and presentation of all work plans, MEL plans, and reports;
• Collaborate with USAID staff to achieve all program goals;
• Serve as technical lead in designing, implementing, and overseeing the aspects of the activity;
• Represent DI externally at meetings, workshops, and other events;
• Act as a key liaison with the host country government and USAID offices in Zambia and Washington, DC, in the areas of oversight, reporting, and compliance;
• Manage a diverse team of project staff throughout Zambia; and
• Provide technical assistance, as needed, to program partners, grantees, and beneficiaries

Administrative

• Continue to build and lead DI’s dynamic local team;
• Approve expenditures and other financial transactions in accordance with DI and USAID policies and practices;
• Liaise regularly with USAID, local staff and partners, STTAs, and DI’s home office to ensure that deadlines are met and high-quality deliverables are completed and submitted in a timely manner; and
• Manage relationships with local partners and government, civil society representatives and international donor representatives.

Secondary Job Duties:

• Contribute to ongoing Democracy International business development efforts, in Zambia and around the world

Qualifications:

• Proven leadership qualities, excellent management skills and significant relevant experience in project management and staff supervision;
• A Master’s degree (or higher) and 13 years’ relevant work experience, or relevant work experience of 15 years in lieu of an advanced degree;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with USAID compliance and reporting requirements as well as a thorough understanding of the USAID regulatory environment;
• Strong demonstrated skills in planning, MEL and programming adaptation, inclusion, and budgeting;
• Substantial experience and technical expertise working on democracy support, civil society, media or other topics relevant to democratic development;
• Experience and technical expertise working on capacity building and local governance, particularly in an international development context, strongly preferred;
• In-depth familiarity with, understanding of, and ability to successfully navigate within the Zambian context preferred;
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, education professionals, community and civil society leaders, and international funders;
• Professional fluency in English (both spoken and written) required.
• This position is open only to Zambian citizens.

Reporting:

• This position reports to Director of Program Management.
• Direct reports may include the DI Zambia Team