OVC Vacancy January 2017: Chief of Party

Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organisation for children. We work in 120 countries. We save children’s lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfil their potential.

Save the Children is seeking an experienced Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated USAID project providing support to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Zimbabwe. The Chief of Party (COP) will work with Save the Children’s existing country office, but will be solely responsible for the overall management of this USAID award. S/he will provide strategic and operational leadership to develop and implement a successful and integrated multi-sectoral program that builds upon existing USAID and Government of Zimbabwe investment and that will achieve sustainable outcomes. All posts are contingent on the issuance of USAID funding and the selection of applicants is subject to USAID approval.

This key project, Getting to ZERO, is a fiveyear program aimed to reduce HIV impact, vulnerability and risk, as well as increase high impact HIV services among orphans and vulnerable children and adolescents in targeted communities. The goal for this program is improved health, nutrition, psycho-social well-being and educational outcomes; and reduced abuse of children affected by HIV. The program seeks to advance ownership at the local level of a comprehensive, integrated, community-based AIDS response to mitigate the impact of HIV on orphans and vulnerable children.

Role Purpose:

The COP will liaise closely with USAID, Government of Zimbabwe representatives, Save the Children’s Headquarters and Country Offices, as well as partner organizations. The COP will be the principal representative of the project and will ensure adherence to overall technical and programmatic quality in implementation, compliance with USAID rules and regulations, and the timely submission of all deliverables to USAID, including annual work plans, performance monitoring plans, semi-annual reports and annual reports as may be required. The COP will be responsible for the overall direction and coordination of the activities of any sub-recipient partners under this grant.

This key position will require travel across the region and to program areas. Responsibilities will include:

• Lead the program’s strategic, financial, and operational planning, including the annual work planning process and development of an appropriate exit strategy.
• Establish and guide overall technical direction of the project.
• Act as principal representative and liaison to all external stakeholders, including but not limited to USAID and the Government of Zimbabwe.
• Oversee the timely submission of all deliverables to USAID.
• Provide oversight and coordination with international and national sub-recipient partners.
• Supervise key program staff, both technical and managerial, and oversee the hiring process of all local personnel.
• Serve as key liaison with Save the Children partners and any local sub-grantees.
• Provide overall coordination of the institutional/organizational and technical capacity building of local partners and stakeholders.
• Ensure that efficient systems to support all aspects of the program including sub-grant management, financial, capacity building and performance monitoring and reporting are in place and support the effective use of program resources in compliance with USAID regulations and Save the Children policies.

Contract Duration: TBC

Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree in international relations, public health, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of field-based experience managing large and complex overseas, multi-partner development programs, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Experience managing large scale USAID funded project(s) at a senior level.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and familiarity with USAID policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Experience in managing large child-focused field programs for an international NGO.
• Demonstrated skills in strategic and program planning and understanding of HIV/AIDS-related support services.
• Demonstrated skills in leadership and supervision of staff and teams.
• Familiarity with USAID regulations and policies, with specific understanding of PEPFAR guidelines, rules and regulations.
• Extensive experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa; specific work experience in Zimbabwe is desirable.
• Proven experience building capacity of local NGOs and government bodies.
• Proven ability in promoting and collaborating closely with multi-level stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Fluency in English required.
• Zimbabwean candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please apply in English saving your CV and covering letter as a single document, including your salary expectations for this role.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. Employment is subject to our Child protection standards including background checks and adherence to our Child Safeguarding Policy

Save the Children is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ and assign the best qualified talent.

Disclaimer:

Save the Children International does not charge any kind of fee at whichever stage of the recruitment process and does not act through recruitment agents