Chief of Party - Civic Defenders

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of: Chief of Party for Civic DEFENDERS, an anticipated USAID Leader With Associates (LWA) award. This is a five-year award expected to focus on digital freedom and civil society resilience in oppressive states around the world. The activity will focus on building long-term, local resilience among civil society through a networked approach involving global, regional, and local actors. The activity will likely provide technical assistance on digital security, digital governance advocacy and engagement, censorship circumvention, and holistic legal, psychosocial, and physical security support.

*This position is likely to be based in Washington, DC. It is subject to project award and funding.

Position Description

The Chief of Party (COP) will provide strategic, managerial, technical leadership and management oversight to the project; will oversee all aspects of project implementation, including program quality, personnel and financial management; ensure close coordination with USAID and other stakeholders, ensuring that all project interventions are of high quality and lead to measurable impact; be responsible for timely and adequate implementation of project activities, deliverables, execution, monitoring and reporting of the project.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides leadership to the project team, technical and operational aspects of the project, including planning and implementation of the project; ensuring clarity over plans and priorities, and encourages effective teamwork.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates activities to ensure that goals and objectives are accomplished within prescribed time frame and funding parameters.
• Define strategic and technical direction for the activity, including the development and continual refinement of approaches, tools, specialized partnerships, monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches, etc.
• Collaborates with partner organizations (both public and private), USAID’s Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) and other USAID/donor-funded projects to achieve the project’s objectives.
• Coordinates and is responsible for the preparation of the annual work plans, budgets, and annual progress reports in a timely fashion for submission to USAID.
• Provide leadership to design grant-making activities with a focus on compliance, efficiency, and transparency.

• Lead development of partnerships with the key actors related to digital freedom and civil society resilience including private sector actors, civic activists, and civil society organizations.

• Responsible for induction of project staff, ensuring their familiarity with mandate values, quality standards, policies and program objectives and their individual responsibilities in upholding these standards and policies.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree or its international equivalent or higher in international relations, economics, public administration, law, or a similar field.
• At least 15 years of professional experience in project management, particularly leading and designing democracy- or technology-focused programs; experience working in more than one region of the world preferred.
• At least 8 years of professional experience in and leadership, including experience in managing USAID-funded projects and staff;
• Proven experience working with civil society organizations in countries receiving assistance, particularly in contexts where the local government restricts political association or free speech.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to plan, organize, and manage resources for successful completion of projects
• Proven experience with USAID regulations in financial and accounting management per USAID guidelines, ensure that the project maintains the highest administrative, financial, and operational standards for compliance and audits
• Strong understanding of digital challenges facing citizens of oppressive states, and of tools to assist them, preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

The expected US Based hiring salary range for this role is listed below. Candidates FHI 360 pay ranges represent national averages that vary by geographic location. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, business sector, and budget.

Base salary is only one component of our offer. FHI 360 contributes 12% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account. Additionally, all US based staff working full-time, which is calculated at 40 hours/week, receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year. Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full-time schedule.

US Based Hiring Salary Range: $133,000 - $170,000

International hiring ranges will differ based on location.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

Please click here to continue searching FHI 360's Career Portal.