Chief of Party (COP)/Project Director

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee

Over 80 years ago, Albert Einstein helped create the International Rescue Committee. Today, we are a leading humanitarian and development organization working in more than 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future.

Position Summary:

IRC is seeking a Chief of Party (COP)/Project Director for a USAID-funded three-year project in Libya to improve entrepreneurship skills and business opportunities for targeted groups within the country, including vulnerable Libyan women and youth. The COP will be responsible for ensuring that the proposed project is implemented in accordance with the cooperative agreement, USAID regulations, and internationally recognized quality of assistance standards. The COP will work closely with IRC country program, regional, and HQ leadership to ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with IRC policies and principles. In addition, the COP will be the primary representational link with USAID staff and will liaise with the Mission to provide project updates, discuss strategies, obstacles, performance plans, and progress against targets. The COP will liaise with USAID agreement officers, technical support staff, partner organizations, outside contractors, and implementers of other USAID-funded initiatives as required. The COP will represent the project to all key stakeholders, government officials, and donors at coordination fora and other related meetings. The COP will ensure that project initiatives achieve the expected results of the Economic Acceleration Program. This position is contingent on the IRC being awarded funding and is anticipated to begin in Summer 2022.

Job Responsibilities:

o Provide strategic and technical leadership and direction, define and implement activities to achieve the greatest impact toward project goals and objectives;

o Develop, review, and monitor in coordination with key project staff, annual work and performance plans to ensure long-term and short-term priorities are on track;

o Oversee technical direction and project delivery to ensure activities are in line with the performance framework and meet all standard operational policies and procedures;

o Oversee the Deputy COP in managing local partners and providing financial and operations support that optimizes resources through sound budgets, consistent financial tracking, and timely submission of reports to the donor;

o Report to USAID through both formal and informal debriefings, annual and semi-annual reports;

o Maintain active and cooperative relationships with all key stakeholders, including government officials, project partners, other implementing agencies, and related institutions;

o Represent the project and the organization in public and ensure distribution of information about project achievements and lesson learned;

o Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility.

Requirements:

o Advanced degree (PhD or MA) from an accredited university in business administration, international development, or related field; equivalent experience may be substituted for graduate degree;

o Minimum of 10 years of experience in similar business administration intervention activities, and experience managing complex international donor-funded development activities in challenging environments. Experience with projects designed to build enabling environments; develop business incubators; support MSMEs; and offer business development services.

o Significant previous experience working in conflict or crisis situations;

o Experience working in the Middle East/North African region and/or in Libya on economic development and trade programming, including supporting local start-up businesses, coordination with CSOs and public ministries, and strengthening access to finance for historically marginalized communities.

o Previous experience as a DCOP or COP of USAID-funded programs;

o Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders;

o Demonstrated innovation and success in staff capacity-building and in participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming and implementation;

o Strong communication skills, both oral and written;

o Fluency in English required; proficiency in Arabic strongly preferred.

**Local applicants and women strongly encouraged to apply. This position may be based in Tunis/Libya with regular travels to Libya, to supervise the project team and coordinate activities/operations.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, 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, and Anti-Retaliation.

Qualifications