Chief of Party

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading agencies working in post-conflict and development contexts, supporting communities in over 40 fragile, failed and developing states. The IRC began working in Afghanistan in 1988, launching relief programs for people displaced by the invasion of the Soviet Union. IRC continued to provide aid under Taliban rule and expanded its community development projects after the Taliban was ousted. IRC now works across nine provinces. The IRC works with local communities to identify, plan and manage their own development projects; provides safe learning spaces in rural areas; provides uprooted families with basic necessities; and helps people find employment.

Scope of work

The IRC seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated multi-million dollar USAID basic education activity in Afghanistan. The project will enable Afghan children to acquire the education and skills needed to be productive members of society and foster individual self-reliance.

The COP will be responsible for ensuring the proposed project is implemented in accordance with the terms of the USAID award (either cooperative agreement or contract), USAID regulations, principles of IRC, and internationally recognized quality of assistance standards. The COP will be the primary representational link with USAID staff and government officials. The position will be based in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project, and selection of final applicant is subject to USAID approval.

Job responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and technical direction for the project, ensuring completion of project deliverables.

• Responsible for the overall planning, implementation, administration, and financial management of the project, as well as the achievement of all impact goals and objectives.

• Coordinate with government and other relevant stakeholders to ensure activities complement ongoing initiatives and adhere to country and global standards.

• Serve as the primary liaison with the donor and Afghanistan Ministry of Education. Report to USAID through formal and informal debriefings, annual and semi-annual reports, etc.

• Represent the project and organization at regional, national, and international forums, including technical conferences and policy briefings, and share information about project achievements and lessons learned within the organization and wider development community.

• Oversee the development, review, and monitoring of yearly work plans and project strategy documents to ensure long- and short-term priorities are on track.

• Manage project staff and consortium partners to ensure proper reporting, financial management, and compliance.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of experience designing, implementing, and managing large, complex projects that work specifically to improve early grade learning and responsive, risk mitigating basic education access.

• Minimum three years of senior project leadership experience on USAID activities; previous experience as COP of USAID-funded programs preferred.

• Master’s degree in education, international development, or related field is required.

• Significant previous experience working in conflict or crisis situations, preferably in Asia and/or Afghanistan.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with a wide network of partners and stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to liaise with senior government officials, dignitaries, executives of NGOs, and senior members of the donor community.

• Demonstrated success incorporating innovation and participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming into implementation.

• Experience working to incorporate issues of equity in education programs, including gender, ethnicity, and disability inclusion.

• Demonstrated experience in policy dialogue and education reform.

• Capacity to work well under pressure, and the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively cross‐culturally is critical.

• The candidate must be fluent in English.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

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