USAID/Ethiopia Collaborating, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning and Adapting (CLA) Activity Chief of Party (COP) 84 views

Overview:

The USAID/Ethiopia Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Activity (MELA) is designed to ensure USAID’s activities in Ethiopia achieve their intended results through monitoring and evaluation, strategic assessments, USAID’s Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting approach (CLA), and a data management system. The Mitchell Group, Inc. (TMG) is a global consulting firm providing data-driven and insightful solutions in developing countries. TMG is passionate about transforming lives through knowledge-based solutions. TMG will help USAID/Ethiopia to create a dynamic learning environment among development actors, focused on innovation, quality, and knowledge sharing. Through a Community of Practice, USAID/Ethiopia and other development actors will successfully deliver activities while simultaneously strengthening their management and the development effectiveness of their programs. The TMG approach will provide USAID/Ethiopia with high-quality monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) services across its portfolio, ensure collaboration and learning between and among USAID/Ethiopia and stakeholders, the Government of Ethiopia (GOE), and implementing partners (IPs), and ensure programs meaningfully incorporate local participation. The MEL team will ensure program sustainability by building the technical and institutional capacity of stakeholders and implementing partners to implement activities and collaborate and learn from these programs.

TMG is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for the upcoming USAID-funded Ethiopia CLA Activity. This position will be full time and based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for an anticipated five-year implementation period. The position will require some travel within Ethiopia,  with salary at competitive rates. The COP  shall report directly to TMG’s  Vice President of Operations and be the chief liaison with the USAID Mission. Women are encouraged to apply.

** Please note that this position with TMG is contingent upon award and funding. **

Responsibilities and Tasks:

The COP will be responsible for all functions under  the CLA contract. He/ She will give technical direction, oversee project implementation and management, collaboration, learning, and assessment, steward the performance of our sustainability strategy, and will serve as USAID/Ethiopia’s main point of contact. The COP is  also responsible for financial and program management, oversight, reporting progress and deliverables, supervision of field staff and other supervisory responsibilities. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Providing strategic vision and overall leadership.
• Supervising all long-term, field-based staff.
• Ensuring the provision of timely, relevant, high quality services from both in-country long-term staff and short-term consultants.
• Ensuring timely information on the progress and status of all activities under the Contract, including but not limited to the timely delivery of required reports in forms agreed to with USAID/Ethiopia.
• Lead technical resources to meet the Mission’s need for high-quality products and ensure  that all deliverables meet USAID quality standards.
• Support relationships with implementing partners and local Ethiopian/Government of Ethiopia stakeholders in addition to the CO, COR, and DO teams.
• Establish clear lines of communication between USAID and TMG to identify and resolve problems.
• Responsible for directing project start-up and close-out.
• Program Management, Planning, Implementation, and Monitoring Activities
• Define the guiding vision of the project and build consensus with stakeholders re technical requirements.
• Lead the development of the work plan with team members,
• Lead the implementation of activities within the work plan, and that activities are performed to a high professional standard.
• Identify issues and risks related to program implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate implementation  changes/adjustments within the overall scope of the contract.
• Allocate contract resources, and ensure sound financial management including programmatic, budgeting, spending, projections, and monitoring of payments.

Personnel Management

• Manage staff to perform effectively toward project objectives, through communication, team building incentives, and responsiveness.
• Create a positive working environment for all staff and ensure growth and professional development opportunities.
• Conduct annual performance reviews and recommend/internally negotiate salary adjustments.
• Communications and Information Management
• Maintain effective communication with Client, team, home office, subcontractors and other relevant project organizations
• Prepare periodic reports to the Client on progress towards project objectives.
• Establish criteria, guidelines, and formats for project plans and reports.

Contract Management

• Execute contract in compliance with contract provisions.
• Manage contract and project finances (budget and funds)
• Oversee the performance of partners/sub-awardees.
• Develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.
• Support identification of growth opportunities in the country for TMG and participate in business development as needed.
• Other duties as requested by TMG Management and/or Vice President.

Required Qualifications:

• A graduate university degree in relevant subject areas, preferably in International Development and/or Development Management with an emphasis on M&E, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least fifteen years of progressively increasing responsibility in managing large-scale and complex comprehensive contracts or awards.
• At least five years of experience serving as a Chief of Party, Country Director, or Team Leader for projects involving MEL, CLA, and capacity building.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience working in monitoring and evaluation and/or project management in developing countries, preferably including experience in Africa.
• A minimum of 5 years in contract management.
• Experience in designing evaluation and monitoring systems that incorporate capacity development.
• A minimum of 2 years of working with a Mission’s or other donor’s CLA system and practices.
• A firm understanding of the Ethiopian context and the ability to manage a highly skilled, interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking, planning, management, and presentation skills.
• Experience providing strategic design, program planning, and program management services.
• Proven ability to understand client needs, ensure client satisfaction, and deliver timely and appropriate solutions.
• Strong multi-cultural, interpersonal, and supervision skills.
• Ethiopian experience and knowledge of and experience with US Government (USG)-funded program management, policies, regulations, and procedures preferred.
• Excellent ability to communicate in English effectively both orally and in writing, and spoken Amharic is preferred.
• Experience in development and management of data systems.